Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 39 "What you did back there was crazy," Kariana said as Fiona walked back into the infirmary. Fiona still had about two hours left in her shift, and even though exhaustion tugged at her, she had no choice but to return.

"I know," Fiona said, her voice flat with fatigue.

"No, you don't." Kariana narrowed her eyes, clearly more serious than usual. "Do you even realize how influential her father is?" She shook her head. "Right, you probably don't." Kariana sighed, gesturing for Fiona to follow her. "Come, let's have stea. The soldiers just left, and I asked Cillian to take a break too. He chose to leave early." Fiona followed her to a small table where Kariana began brewing tea. The smell of the herbs filled the air, calming but not enough to ease the tension.

"Miss Carissa Calyrre is the daughter of Elder Calyrre, the King's right-hand man," Kariana explained, her voice low and cautious. "You embarrassed her in front of everyone, and now the whole palace is buzzing about it." Fiona raised an eyebrow. "Elder Calyrre?" she asked. "I've heard the name, but I don't know much about him." Kariana poured the tea, glancing around as if making sure no one else was listening. "The Calyrre family is one of the most powerful in the kingdom, and there are rumors that Miss Carissa is supposed to marry Prince Elijah." Fiona's hand paused over her cup. "Marry Elijah?" she repeated, her voice tinged With disbelief.

Kariana nodded. "That's what everyone's been saying for years. Now, thanks to what happened, everyone is laughing at Carissa and her family. They're saying you humiliated her, and she's lost face. Do know what that means?" marry Fiona frowned, thinking about the implications. "If she's supposed to Elijah, why hasn't it happened yet? Doesn't that seem strange?" Kariana shrugged, her eyes serious. "No one knows for sure. But what you did do today? You made enemies, Fiona. And if the Calyrres decide to cafter you... well, let's just say people who cross them don't usually fare well." She hesitated before adding, "There was a maid who disappeared not too long ago after a run-in with Carissa. There were rumors." Fiona's stomach clenched, but before she could respond, the door to the infirmary swung open, and a group of women entered. Their elegant gowns and haughty expressions marked them as nobility. Kariana stiffened beside Fiona, her fingers tightening on the teacup. Without warning, one of the women stormed toward Fiona and slapped her across the face. The sound echoed through the room. Fiona's cheek stung from the impact. She got up, surprised at the sudden attack. Why does it feel like this is a scene from a TV show? "How dare you humiliate Miss Carissa like that!" the woman seethed, her eyes blazing with fury.

Kariana quickly stepped forward. "Miss Arlena, violence is not permitted in this place. You have no right-" "Shut your mouth, omega!" the woman snapped, pushing Kariana away. "You're nothing but a lowly servant. Stay out of this!" Kariana's face reddened with shand anger, but she didn't back down. "I said violence isn't permitted. You need to leave, Miss Arlena." Another woman, who had been standing nearby with a sneer, stepped forward and raised her hand to slap Kariana, but this time, Fiona moved faster. She caught the woman's wrist in midair, her grip firm.

The woman gasped, her eyes wide with shock, as Fiona shoved her backward, sending her sprawling onto the floor. She landed with a heavy thud, her elegant gown pooling around her as she struggled to regain her composure.

1/3 111 16:52 Sun, Dec Chapter 39 The room fell silent, all-eyes on Fiona, 56%% "If you are deaf, then letrepeat what Healer Kariana just said." She made a deliberate pause as she narrowed her gaze at the three women. "Violence isn't allowed in this place!" Fiona's voice was calm yet cold as she added, "If anyone lays a hand on Kariana again, they'll end up just like her." She nodded toward the woman on the floor, still trying to gather herself.

The other women exchanged nervous glances, unsure whether to fight or retreat.

Kariana stepped forward again, her voice regaining its strength. "You all need to leave. Now." "Who do you think you are?" The woman with the blonde curly hair hissed, her expression twisted with fury. "Do you truly believe that you are someone special just because a prince rescued you from your hellhole? Do you really believe someone's going to cto rescue you? Or is your head too big because of the rumors about you and Prince Elijah?" Fiona didn't flinch. She watched the woman closely, her eyes narrowed, ready for any move. "I don't need anyone to rescue me," Fiona replied coldly.

The blonde lunged at her, but Fiona was quicker. She sidestepped the attack with ease, causing the woman to stumble forward awkwardly. The surprise on the noblewomen's faces was almost comical, their arrogance faltering as Fiona's speed and composure left them scrambling. Even Kariana, who had been standing nearby, was wide-eyed with shock. Fiona was more than just a healer-she moved like someone who had been on countless confrontations before. She might not be an expert at fighting, but she had trained in the past. "You'll regret that!" the first woman, Miss Arlena, snarled as she recovered and made another move to strike. Fiona was prepared to counter, her muscles tensing when a loud bang echoed through the infirmary.

The entire room froze, every head snapping toward the entrance.

Prince Elijah stood there, his tall frfilling the doorway. His expression was unreadable, but the power in his gaze was unmistakable. He stepped forward with a calm yet commanding presence, the tension in the room instantly shifting.

The noblewomen immediately lowered themselves into deep bows, their bravado evaporating in an instant. Fiona hesitated. before lowering her head as well, cursing inwardly. Why now? She thought. Why does he always show up when I don't need help? Elijah paused as he surveyed the room. Then he gestured towards his attendants. "Bring them to the dungeon." "Your Highness?" Arlena lifted her head.

"For causing problems inside the palace hall and disrespecting the prince," Elijah said as he turned towards Fiona. "And harming a healer." Harming a healer? Fiona lifted an eyebrow. She was so many things, but she was certain she was not harmed, The women exchanged frantic glances as Prince Elijah's words settled over them like a death sentence. Arlena, who already looked pale and desperate, tried once more to shift the blame. "Your Highness, this is not fair! We chere to talk, but this she pointed at Fiona, her finger shaking. "She attacked us! She hurt us first. She's the one who should go to the woman- dungeon!"

Her companion quickly chimed in, emboldened by Arlena's accusation. "Yes, Your Highness, it was al Fiona's fault. She couldn't handle a simple En conversation, and she lashed out. And her little omega friend here" she sneered at Kariana, "- was part of it. They should both be punished!" 2/3 16:52 Sun, Dec 1 BB Chapter 39 1800, 56%# +5 Kariana's eyes widened, and she stepped forward, about to defend Fiona, but Elijah raised his hand, silencing her without a word. His gaze remained cold as he turned toward the woman accusing Fiona.

Without acknowledging their claims, Elijah walked past them, his boots. clicking against the stone floor, and stopped directly in front of Fiona. His eyes scanned her face carefully, as though inspecting for any trace of injury. "Does it hurt?" Elijah asked in a low, steady voice. Fiona blinked, caught off guard by his question. Her cheek still stung faintly from the slap, but she hadn't expected him to care. "I'm fine," she managed to say, her voice tight.

Elijah glanced at Kariana, his expression unreadable. "Examine her carefully. She can't be hurt."

Kariana, still reeling from the tension in the room, nodded quickly and stepped closer to Fiona. Her hands she hovered uncertainly but before could proceed, the women who had been accusing Fiona began to protest even louder. "This is absurd!" Arlena nearly screamed, her face red with indignation. "You're treating her like shelpless victim! We barely touched her!". Elijah's gaze remained locked on Fiona, not sparing the woman even a glance. "You heard me," he said coldly. "She can't be harmed." The attendants in the room, sensing the rising tension, hesitated for only a moment before Elijah turned his icy gaze on them. "Why are you still standing here?" he demanded. "Take them away."