Contract With The Alpha King
Contract 47

16:53 Sun, Dec 1B B Chapter

47

"What did you say?" he asked, though Elise was certain her father had heard her the first time.

"I don't understand why I have to see my sister again. She chose to leave the pack, leave the clan. Why do we need to go to the palace to see her? Surely, you wouldn't want to convince her to come back," Elise said, her frustration evident. She was never someone who liked to hide her thoughts. "Since she was young, she always caused trouble. Her actions this time must be because she really wanted to leave the clan. Why do we need to go after her?"

"Enough," Thomas said, his voice firm but low. He set his cup down, the clink of porcelain sharp in the silence. "Do you understand why it's important that we get Fiona back?"

Elise's temper flared. She stood up, pacing the length of the room. "What's the point of bringing her back, Father? What's the point of forcing someone who doesn't care about us to return? She doesn't like us. She turned her back on the family! She chose to embarrass the Pack and the Alpha because of her own selfish reasons. She chose to embarrass you and ruin our reputation!"

Thomas sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Do you know of any member of the Rosenthal family who lives outside of the Crimson Howlers pack?" Despite her father's calm voice, Elise knew that he was already angry. She knew him too well to miss the signs.

Elise stopped pacing and looked at her father. His question caught her off guard. She furrowed her brow, thinking hard, but nothing came to mind. "No," she admitted, shaking her head. "There's no one."

"That's right," Thomas said, his voice measured. "Because we cannot and should not stay outside the pack."

Elise frowned, not understanding. "Why?" she asked, her confusion mixing with her irritatione

"What are you talking about?" Since they were young, they had already known how dangerous it would be for them to leave the pack. Outside of this place, their abilities could be used by both humans and werewolves. They could be taken advantage of, used, and then disposed of. There were other stories from when she was younger-stories that gave her nightmares-and all of them warned about the dangers of the outside world.

"You've been spoiled, Elise," her father said. "You've had a comfortable life, never wanting for anything. The reason you don't know the truth until now is because of your attitude."

Elise's eyes narrowed, the sting of his words hitting deep. "Don't question my knowledge of this family, Father. I'm the next Rosenthal head. I've been studying everything about our history. I know more than enough."

Thomas shook his head slowly, his gaze heavy with disappointment. "You know the surface. But there's a part of our history

you missed."

that

Elise's irritation grew, but she stayed silent, waiting for him to explain. However, instead of saying anything, her father got up. "Follow me."

This time, Elise maintained her silence as she followed her father out of his study and outside of their clan house. Slowly, he made his way into the garden outside the house. "Have you heard of the five great families?" he asked,

"Yes," Elise said as she walked just beside her father. She cleared her throat as she recalled the information about them. "The Blackthorne Family, the Fireborn Clan, the Nightshade Clan of Africa, and the Silvermane Clan from Asia. The ones with silver hair. And of course, our clan. The Rosenthal Family. The strongest healers in the supernatural world."

Thomas nodded as they walked deeper into the garden. The air was still, and the faint scent of flowers drifted around them. He finally asked, "Tell me, Elise, why is it that aside from the Rosenthal family, the other clans allow their members to leave their territory?" Elise's mouth opened to respond, but she found herself at a loss for words. She frowned, her mind searching for an answer. It was common knowledge that the other great families, like the Blackthorne Family, the Fireborn Clan, and the Nightshade Clan, allowed their members to leave and mingle with other packs, sometimes even establishing alliances with other territories. But the Rosenthal family? They never left the Crimson Howlers pack. Not for as long as she could remember.

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Chapter 47

She had never questioned it. It was simply how things were.

Thomas gave her a sidelong glance, noting her silence. "You can't answer, can you?"

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Elise's frustration bubbled up again, but this time, she kept her emotions in check. "It's always been like this," she said slowly. "I just thought it was tradition, or because of the importance of keeping our healing abilities safe."

Her father stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "It goes back much further than that. During the First War, the head of the Crimson Howlers pack and the head of the Rosenthal clan were close friends. They vowed to protect each other, no matter what." Elise nodded, feeling a bit of relief. "I know this part. They made an oath to stand by each other, to support one another during the war."

Thomas looked at her closely. "Yes, but what you don't know is how that alliance was shattered."

Elise's brows furrowed. "Shattered?"

"The Rosenthal family betrayed the leader of the Crimson Howlers pack and the kingdom. They aligned themselves with the enemies who caused the First Great War." His voice was measured but heavy with the weight of the truth. Elise stared at him, shocked. "We... They... betrayed the kingdom?"

Thomas nodded grimly. "The Rosenthals were divided because of it. Many hated our family for choosing the wrong side, and that hatred didn't disappear after the war ended. It's part of the reason we've stayed within the boundaries of the Crimson Howlers pack. It was safer here. Leaving this place meant facing the world that still remembers our betrayal."

Elise blinked, trying to process the revelation. "So, the reason we can't leave... is because we're seen as traitors?"

Thomas shook his head and let out a dry laugh. "You've got quite the imagination, Elise, but no. We're not being punished. Not exactly."

Elise's mind raced as she struggled to make sense of it all. "Then what is it?"

Thomas's gaze hardened as he stepped closer to his daughter. "It's not about punishment. It's about protection. If the world knew the full extent of our abilities, we would be hunted. Our family's history is dangerous, yes, but the real danger lies in what we can do-what the Rosenthal bloodline still holds."

"What-What are you talking about... Father?" Elise asked, her face grim. What real danger? What hunted?

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