Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 85

"What did you "Queen Lyanna stopped walking. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to her maid, disbelief and

frustration contorting her expression "What did you just say?".

The maid's head dipped slightly as she repeated herself in a whisper. "Lady Fiona,, she left the palace with a

group of healers. They've been examining the villagers, checking the soldiers’ families for signs of poison

Lyanna's face hardened, and without a word, she turned on her heel her footsteps echoing sharply down the

corridor. Her maids followed, trying to keep pace as she headed toward her study.

Inside the study, she stopped abruptly, surprised to find Marius waiting for her.

"Mother." Marius greeted, stepping forward. But before he could speak further, Lyanna cut him off, her

impatience clear.

"Marius, this isn't the tfor your theatrics. | have more pressing matters to deal with."

He raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. "Tid wager Fiona is at the center of those pressing matters, isn't

she?" He paused, watching her reaction closely. "Did the council finally agree to give her to the Lycans?"

Lyanna's fingers tightened at her side. "That matter is unresolved, Marius. This isn't the tfor your questions."

But Marius didn't relent. "Unresolved or not, you do realize Father wants Elijah on the throne. And now, with him

married to her, his position is -only more secure. Mother, Fiona is a member of the five great families. If we

"Enough, Marius" she said firmly, gesturing toward the door. "Leave Now Her patience wore thin.

a

Marius's gaze lingered on her, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he sighed. "Tine." He

turned to leave, but not without a glance back T'll be ready, Mother. Just say the word."

When he was gone. Lyanna clenched her jaw, struggling to contain her fury. Fiona's interference with the

soldiers' families was a direct challenge. and she knew the girl was becoming more dangerous than even the

council realized Queen Lyanna's fingers drummed against the side of her desk as she turned to her maid, her

impatience simmering just beneath the surface. "Tellagain what Fiona did. Every detail."

The maid's gaze remained low as she spoke. "Lady Fiona left the palace with a group of healers, Your Majesty.

She's been examining the villagers, focusing on the soldiers families and looking for traces of poison. It appears."

She hesitated briefly, knowing the effect her next words would have. "It appears Prince Elijah joined her shortly

after, and they are both still in the village.

A low, disdainful laugh escaped Queen Lyanna as she digested the news. "Scheming," she muttered, more to

herself than to anyone in the room. "So, she found the perfect opportunity while we were engaged in that

meeting. She must have known the council couldn't be bothered with reports of minor inspections, and she

slapped out to earn the favor of the people." She scoffed, a bitter edge to her words. "Clever. She knew precisely

how to take advantage, knowing this was no emergency worth disturbing the council."

The realization settled over her, sharpening her anger. Fiona hadn't acted out of mere goodwill. This was a

calculated move, timed perfectly with the council meeting-ensuring neither she, nor the King, nor anyone of

influence would be aware until it was too late "Fiona," the muttered, her voice dripping with venom as she paced

the room. "I thought her a docile little lamb, but no she's a wolf, hiding behind those soft eyes and that innocent

face." Her fingers tightened around the edge of her desk. "A threat in sheep's clothing. She's even more

dangerous than | thought

Her mind worked rapidly as she began forming a plan. "Summon Lady Carissa and Lord Calyrre immediately, she

ordered the maid, who nodded and burned from the room. Lyanna's expression twisted into a hard, unreadable

stile as she continued pacing, her thoughts in shambles.

"Schemang manipulaning she muttered, her words barely audible as she plotted her next move. "If Fiona wants

to play this game, she'll soon discover she's dealing with more than the can handle. | won't have this kingdom

bending to the will of supstart healer just because she's Watlan a few mamutes, the mand annoured Lady

Canosa and Elder Calyric's arrival.

nad turin in," the Queen smiled. The Elder hadn't been able to join the meeting earlier because his soldiers

suffered many losses during was injured wheni shar tried to lielp someone during the ball. Since she needed

smedical attention,

be excused from the meeting

missa aul Elder Calyrre as they stepped into her study. She took note of their expressions, reading the tension

Ider and Larry Carissa bowed to the Queen

"Judging by your expresidians," Lyanna began. "I assyou're already aware of what Fiona and Elijah are up to

in the village?

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Chapter 5

The Elder's face darkened. He leaned forward. "We heard reports about this matter," he replied. "I Your Majesty...

tell us, is it true? | Hijjah truly murry Fiona without informing the council?"

Did Prince

| camia's eyes narrowed Naturally, the Elder's concern is going to be the marriage! Lyanna hail foreseen this.

"Unfortunately, yes. Elijah announced it brazenly in the meeting. And as it turns out, the King not only knew of

this union but gave his approval" She gritted her teeth. The thought of is amouncement still made her hisser

Elder Kalynne's lips tightened. "So, it's true," his eyes narrowed. "That girl was a luubinger of bad luck, a thorn in

our side. First, she ensnares the Taner, now she's out there, making a spects le of herself in the village, riling up

the commoners.

"Trecisely" Lyanna replied. At least she didn't have to explain Fiona's intentions, when it cto political

matters, she could always rely on the Elder's slurp instincts. However, that didn't mean she could fully trust him

to act precisely as she wanted, which is why she had summoned the Lather and daughter without delay. Her

actions are forcing our hand, pushing the council toward conflict. She knows exactly what she's doing. Her little

display in the village has one purpose-to manipulate pudlic sentiment, she said, hoping it was enough for Carissa

to grasp Fiona's motives.

Just as she expected. Lady Carissa's brow furrowed. She looked between the Elder and the Queen. "But how does

she benefit from this? Surely she realizes that a move like this makes her a targe

The Queen sighed. "She's clever, more clever than | anticipated. By examining the families of the soldiers, she's

planting a seed of goodwill among those who matter-the ones who would fight for us in a war. If we move against

her now, it risks public backlash, especially from those who see her as the savior of their families. Any hesitancy

on the council's part about handing her over could now be dismissed, and they'd be forced to protect her

meaning they'd have to prepare for wat?

The Elder's face twisted. "This is clearly a calculated act to push us into a position we can't back away from.

She's ensuring that the council will feel pressured to go to war, all to save her

"Exactly Lyanna's hands tightened on the edge of her desk. "With every villager she 'examines for poison, she

strengthens her influence and furthers her grip over Elijah. It's brilliant, and it's vide. With the people on her side,

and with Elijah beside her, she's maneuvered herself into a place of dangerous power. Even the council would

think twice before sending her to the Lycans now."

As Carissa listened her expression grew colder. "So, if we act against her, we risk inciting unrest among the

commoners. And if the council chooses to protect her within the kingdom, we inevitably face the Lycans. She's

ensured that every path leads to war! How selfish!" The Queen nodded. It's a strategy for a tyrant. Publicly, she

appears as the innocent healer, aiding the villagers. But in truth, she's orchestrating a schthat traps the

council between placating the Lycams or protecting her at all costs.

"A mere healer, yet she's managed to position herself as the pivot point for our entire kingdom. And with Elijah

married to her, he's bound to side with her in every decision. Elder Calyrre added.

Lyanna's expression darkened further "Elijah has been ensnared, yes. His defiance of the council was likely

encouraged by her influence. The King- he a blind to her manipulations, just as Elijah ix"

"Then what do we do?" Lady Canssa pressed, leaning forward. "If we can't force her from the kingdom without

backlash, we'll need to find a way to sever her influence."

Lyamma's fingers drummed against the desk. "For now, we continue as planned. The council is still split on the

Lycans' demands, which buys us time. But we must be prepared to act quickly. The comunsters may support her,

but that support is a frail thing. With the right moves, we can turni their loyalty The Elder nodded, los gaze

sharp. "We need to show the people what she truly represents. A wolf in sheep's clothing"

Lyanna allowed a small, cold smile to settle on her lips. "Yes. And we'll make sure her downtail is as public as her

rise. | called you here to caution aganu arting rashly. If we stop ber now, the people may see it as indifference in

their welfare, anal that could lead to backlash"

an do is wait," Elder Calyrre said while grining his teeth. "Sooner or later, the others will see what Fiona is doing.

Even the King should

"But wang suly give

have alone something to ensure him. He has to see Fiona for what she truly is!"

her more tto strengthen her influence, Carissa countered. "We must act, Your Majesty. We need to help

Elijah-she

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