Contract With The Alpha King
Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Arlen guided Fiona deeper into the forest, her blade subtly pointed toward Fiona's back. The trees closed in around them, their dense Jetting in only slivers of light. Shadows danced across the uneven ground, making every step feel heavier. Arlen broke the silence first. canopy

"You're just pretending to be weak, aren't you!" Arlen said abruptly. "This whole thing-you've been toying with us Pretending to be ignorant, weak, and kind. The envoys and the villagers.. was that your intention ton!"

Fiona didn't slow her pace or look back. "Believe what you want," she said.

g for the right moment to strike?"

Arlen quickened her stride, coming alongside Fiona. "Ty this a traje Are your people following us right now, waiting Fiona's lips curved slightly, though she kept her eyes ahead, "If it were a trap, would your still be holding that knifes

Arlen tensed, her fingers flexing around the hit of the blade. "You're lodging the question. You planned this, didn't you?

Fiona let out a quiet breath, stepping carefully over a protruding root. "You're giving me far too much credit. Do look like someone in control of this situation

's gaze narrowed as she glanced at Fiona's hands. They were steady, her posture relaxed. Too relaxed. "You're not fooling me. Nobody does... whatever that was to him, she said, jerking her head back toward the fallen rogue. "And just walks away like it's nothing. What are your

Fiona finally turned her head slightly, meeting Arlen's eyes for a fleeting moment. "Do you always interrogate people while dragging them through the woods! Or am I just special?"

Arlen ignored the jab, her frustration mounting. "Answer me. What are you hiding?" She came here thinking this would be a simple job! She was

wrong.

Fiona stopped walking abruptly and turned to face Arlen. The sudden movement made Arlen step back instinctively, her blade raising slightly Fiona tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "You're asking the wrong questions "What does that mean?" Arlen demanded.

"It means," Fiona said, gesturing toward the forest around them. "You should be more worried about what's out here than what's in me"

Arlen's grip on the blade tightened as she scanned the trees, her eyes darting between shadows. "Don't try to change the subject"

"I'm not," Fiona said plainly. She began walking again, forcing Arlen to follow. "You dragged me out here, so you should know better than anyone how dangerous this place is."

Arlen stayed close behind her, the tension in her movements unmistakable. "Don't act like you're concerned. You didn't seem too worried back there when-whatever that was happened"

Fiona glanced over her shoulder, her expression calm. "And you didn't seem too concerned about dragging me into rogue-infested territory. So maybe neither of us has the moral high ground here."

Arlen gritted her teeth. "You've got answers, and I'm going to get them. If Romero knew-

Romero doesn't know everything, Fiona interrupted, her tone sharper now, She stopped again, turning fully toward Arlen. "That's why I'm still breathing. Isn't it?"

Arlen flinched at the bluntness of the statement but quickly recovered. "Keep walking," she barked, gesturing with the blade.

Fiona stepped forward but not before muttering, "You're not as in control as you think."

Arlen's face darkened, but she didn't respond. The two continued deeper into the forest.

"To the left that large tree."

"I thought it would be further, Fiona noted.

you just shut up!?" Arlen hissed.

Fronas shrugged and followed her instructions.

They stopped as the towering free came into view. Its massive roots sprawled across the forest floor, some larger than a full-grown man. The bark was roughs and ancient, covered in a tangle of moss and vines. Between two of the roots, nearly concealed by dense shrubs, was a dark opening Fiona glanced at it, her lips twitching into a faint sinirk

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Chapter 100

Arlen stopped abruptly, her face pale in the dim light. "I told you to shut up."

Fiona's smirk widened. "You're not afraid of me, are you? It's this place. This whatever this is. It's making you jumpy."

"Enough!" Arlen shouted, stepping closer. "Keep walking, or I swear I'll-

"Kill me?" Fiona interrupted. "You're welcome to try. But that won't fix whatever you're afraid of in here, will it!"

Arlen raised the blade slightly, but didn't strike. She stared at Fiona for a long moment, her breathing shallow. Finally, she lowered the weapon and took a step back. "Just move," she said, unable to stop her voice from shaking. Fiona turned and continued down the tunnel. Slowly, a smile appeared on her face.