Contract With The Alpha King
Contract 58

Chapter

58

"Do you know what's going on?" Kariana asked, her voice breaking the silence as she approached Fiona. There was concern in her eyes, and she glanced nervously at the guards.

It was already the day after the trial. Fiona worked quietly in the infirmary, her focus shifting between the patients and the unusual number of guards patrolling the area. She noticed them out of the corner of her eye, moving in and out of sight like shadows. It was unsettling.

However, Fiona shook her head. "No, I don't," she said, feigning ignorance. At this point, not saying a word about the prisoner was better than carelessly creating rumors.

Kariana immediately leaned in slightly. "I heard someone dangerous escaped from the prison. No one's saying much, but that's the rumor." She lowered her voice just enough for Fiona to hear.

Fiona widened her eyes. "Did they say who?"

Kariana shook her head. "Not really. Just that it's someone... terrifying. Some people are saying he eats werewolves." Her voice dropped to a whisper at the last part, eyes wide with fear. "A werewolf that eats his fellow werewolves. Can you believe that?" Fiona's heart skipped a beat. "Eats werewolves?" The idea sounded absurd. Who would dare spread a rumor like that?

Before she could ask Kariana more, Miss Rosenda-Miss Rose, as everyone called her-called from across the room. "Fiona, can you come to my study for a moment?"

Fiona nodded and followed Miss Rose out of the main infirmary. Once they were inside the modest but orderly study, Miss Rose gestured for Fiona to sit.

"How are you, Fiona?" Miss Rose asked, her voice kind, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes.

"I'm fine," Fiona replied, though she could feel the tension in the room. Was she going to be fired?

Miss Rose studied her for a moment before speaking again. "Are you sure you don't need a few days to take a break? After everything that's happened, it wouldn't be a bad idea."

Fiona shook her head quickly. "No, I want to keep working. I need to."

Inwardly, Fiona recalled her earlier conversation with Elijah. He had been insistent that she stay by his side for the time being, worried about her safety. But she had refused, telling him that she wanted to work and that the palace was the safest place she could be. After some convincing, Elijah reluctantly agreed, though she knew he had assigned guards to follow her around without her directly knowing.

"I'm fine," Fiona repeated to Miss Rose with a small smile. "I'm innocent, and I'd rather keep myself busy."

Miss Rose returned her smile, though there was still a trace of worry in her eyes. "Alright. Just do your best, and if you need anything, you let me know."

"Thank you," Fiona said, standing up. She appreciated the head healer's support.

As Fiona walked out of the study, she was surprised to replace Cillian waiting for her just outside the door. His posture was casual, but there was a sharpness in his gaze.

"Well, well," Cillian said with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Fancy seeing you here."

Fiona crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you, of course," Cillian replied with a casual shrug. There was a sharpness in his gaze, though his voice

1/3

TIE

16.58

Chapter 58

remained light. "I wanted to talk."

Fiona hesitated but then nodded. "Alright, talk."

D

54%

They didn't move to a more private space. They simply stood in the hallway, just outside Miss Rose's office. The tension between them hung in the air for a moment before Cillian broke it.

"I wanted to apologize," Cillian said, his voice quieter than usual.

Fiona blinked, caught off guard. "Apologize? For what?"

"For thinking I was better than you," Cillian replied, surprising her even more. "I've been in the infirmary for a long time, and I've always seen myself as someone who doesn't need to be challenged, especially by someone new. But I was wrong." Fiona was speechless for a moment. She didn't expect this from Cillian of all people. "I-thank you," she said slowly, still processing his words. "I didn't expect you to say that."

Cillian chuckled softly. "I'm sure you didn't. But after what I've seen, it's clear you have real talent. More than that, you've proven it time and again. I was just too caught up in my own pride to admit it."

Fiona nodded, her surprise giving way to a warm sense of respect. "I appreciate that, Cillian. And thank you for what you said during the trial. I didn't expect you to defend me."

Cillian shook his head. "I wasn't defending you. I was telling the truth. You're good at what you do, and I'm not one to lie about something like that. You earned it."

Fiona smiled, feeling a weight lift between them. Cillian held out his hand, and she took it, shaking it firmly.

"Looks like we can finally get along," Fiona said, a small smile forming on her face.

"Maybe," Cillian replied with a grin before turning to leave. "See you around."

As he walked away, Kariana appeared beside Fiona, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What was that all about?" "Cillian apologized," Fiona said, still somewhat in disbelief.

Kariana's eyes widened even more. "Apologized? Cillian? Are you sure we're talking about the same Cillian?"

Fiona laughed. "Yes, the same one. He admitted he was wrong for thinking he was better than me. It was... unexpected."

5

Kariana shook her head, looking both shocked and amused. "Cillian never apologizes. Not even to Miss Rose. Do you know how many times she's had to deal with his arrogance? And he's the one everyone thinks will be the next head of the infirmary when Miss Rose retires. He takes so much pride in his work that he doesn't usually admit when he's wrong."

"That's what makes it even more surprising," Fiona said, still processing the conversation.

Kariana laughed softly. "I guess you've managed to do the impossible. Maybe he's not so bad after all."

Fiona smiled, feeling a sense of peace after the conversation with Cillian. "Maybe."

"I need to leave early today," Fiona said to Kariana as they wrapped up their conversation. "There's something important I need to take care of." Her voice remained calm, but beneath the surface, her stomach churned at the thought of the upcoming ball the next day. It wasn't just any event; it was a grand affair she felt woefully unprepared for, both mentally and emotionally.

What truly unsettled her, though, was the looming encounter with Zach and her family. Elijah had already confirmed that her father-and, to her surprise, Elise-would be attending. The mere thought of facing them again, especially under such public scrutiny, sent a wave of tension coursing through her. Her fingers clenched slightly, betraying the calm facade she struggled to maintain. Just thinking about their inevitable reunion filled her with a mixture of dread and anxiety, knowing

2/3

<

16:58 Sun, Dec

Chapter 58

that the wounds between them were far from healed.

"Important? What's going on?" Kariana's question interrupted her stupor.

1

Fiona hesitated, not wanting to dive into the details of the ball just yet. "It's... something personal," she said, her words vague on purpose. Her mind was already racing, thinking of all the preparations she hadn't completed. Dresses, social obligations, the inevitable glances and whispers-it all weighed heavily on her.

Just as Kariana was about to ask more, the door to the infirmary swung open, and a woman stepped inside. Fiona's breath caught in her throat as she immediately recognized her.

It was one of Elijah's sisters, Princess Monique.

The woman's presence filled the room as she walked in, her eyes scanning the area before settling on Fiona.

"Fiona," she greeted, her tone formal, but there was a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "I've been looking for you."

3/3