Contract With The Alpha King
Contract 64

Chapter 64

Fiona stilled beside Elijah, her body feeling as if it had disconnected from her mind. The weight of the room's eyes, the whispers, and the tension all pressed down on her, making it difficult to think straight. Her nerves were raw, every instinct telling her to flee, but she held her ground. Sensing her unease, Elijah placed his hand gently over hers, the one that rested on his arm. His touch was firm but comforting. When she glanced up at him, he was already looking at her, a calm smile playing on his lips. Fiona forced herself to nod, her stomach still churning, but his presence pulled her back into the moment.

He guided her through the sea of watchful eyes, leading her toward the seats near the stage where the Alpha and Luna would sit. The grandeur of the hall felt suffocating, but she focused on keeping her steps steady, not letting her emotions show. The least that she could do was act like she deserved to be there... with him.

Just as they reached their seats, the sound of trumpets filled the air once more. Fiona tensed again. The herald's voice rang out, commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

"Announcing the arrival of His Majesty, the Alpha King, Nicholas Voss, and Her Majesty, Queen Luna!”

All eyes shifted toward the grand doors as King Nicholas entered, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. Dressed in a deep crimson cloak lined with gold, he was every bit the ruler the people feared and respected. Beside him was Queen Luna, in a stunning emerald gown, smiled warmly as they made their way into the hall, the entire room seeming to bow to their arrival.

Fiona felt the intensity in the room shift. The focus was now on the King and Queen, and for a moment, the weight of everyone's gaze on her lessened. But not entirely. One set of eyes burned into her back, cold and furious, cutting through the rest like a blade. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Her heart sank, and her grip tightened slightly on Elijah's arm. They were here. She had known they would attend this ball, she knew they would see her with Elijah the moment they walked in. Her family. And Zach. Fiona kept her head forward, her face expressionless, but inside, her pulse quickened. She could feel Zach's anger from across the room, the betrayal in her family's gaze.

Nicholas walked toward the stage with his wife, his smile broad and commanding. He carried himself with the air of a true king, every step deliberate, his presence filling the hall. The crowd fell into a hush as he reached the center, all eyes now focused on him. The silence was almost reverent.

"Welcome, everyone," Nicholas began, his voice clear and strong, echoing through the hall. "It is a great honor to stand before you tonight, surrounded by the strength and unity of our people."

He paused, glancing around the room, his gaze settling on the various Alphas and their families. "Tonight, we gather not just to celebrate but to reflect on the Rite of Kings-a tradition that has bound us together for centuries. I am proud to congratulate those of you who passed the first test. You have proven your worth, and for that, you have my respect."

A smattering of applause followed his words, but the room remained mostly quiet, hanging on the King's every word.

"As you know, I gave each participant two months to travel to our packs, to see how your brothers and sisters live, to understand their struggles and triumphs. This was no simple task, but it was a necessary one. For a true leader cannot lead without knowing the hearts of their people."

Nicholas let the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "But now, we move forward to the second stage of the Rite of Kings." His voice grew sharper, more authoritative. "This next stage will challenge your cunning, your ability to plan, and your skill in the strategies of war. It is not just about strength; it is about intelligence and foresight."

The air in the room thickened with anticipation.

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Chapter 64

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"Tomorrow," Nicholas announced. "Each of you will receive the specific details of this stage. You will know what is required of you, and you will be given the time to prepare. But for now," he said, his tone lightening as his smile returned. "Tonight is a night of celebration. Let us enjoy this moment together."

The crowd responded with polite applause, but Fiona noticed the subtle tension in the room. The mention of cunning and war planning had sharpened the atmosphere. Everyone understood the gravity of what was to come, but for now, they would mask their concerns behind smiles and pleasantries.

As Nicholas stepped down from the stage with his wife, the music resumed, and the guests slowly returned to their conversations and dancing.

Fiona immediately glanced up at Elijah as the music started again. She knew how important this night was for him, especially with the second stage of the Rite of Kings looming. Turning to him, she whispered, "You should take this opportunity to socialize. You can't stay by my side all night." Elijah looked down at her with a hint of curiosity. "Are you certain?" he asked, his eyes searching hers for any hesitation.

Fiona nodded. "I'm sure," she said, her voice steady. Inwardly, she reminded herself that she wasn't selfish enough to demand all of his attention. Elijah needed to build alliances, and the second stage of the Rites would require his full focus on strategy and relationships. She couldn't afford to hold him back tonight.

Elijah pulled a chair out for her, gesturing for her to sit. "I'll be back," he said softly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Fiona sat down, watching him go, feeling a mix of relief and unease settle over her. She didn't enjoy these events, but she understood their necessity.

Just then, the woman sitting beside her leaned over, her voice soft and friendly. "You don't have to sit here alone. I could stay and keep you company."

Fiona turned and found herself face-to-face with Adrianna Voss, Elijah's younger sister. Adrianna was smiling at her with a bright, almost innocent expression, her youthful energy apparent. She didn't seem to carry the same weight of responsibility as her brother, and for a moment, Fiona was disarmed by her open friendliness.

Fiona smiled back, her guard still up despite Adrianna's kind offer. "That would be nice," she replied, though inwardly, she remained cautious. So far, she hadn't sensed any ill will from Adrianna, but Fiona had learned by now that people here were good at hiding their true intentions behind polite smiles. Trust wasn't something she could afford to give freely, especially not in a place like this.

"That man didn't even ask you to dance," Adrianna mumbled. "How could he leave a pretty woman alone here?"

Fiona smiled. "He had to pay respect to his majesty." From the training that Fiona attended, all of the Princes needed to pay respects to the King after his arrival.

In response, Adrianna rolled her eyes, "How about we get some wine?"

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Chapter 65

"You can't approach her," Elise whispered as she tugged Zach's arm. She smirked, imitating the tone Zach had used on her earlier. "You wouldn't want to disappoint your father, right?"

Zacharias stood rigidly, seething as his eyes followed Fiona across the ballroom. She was walking with Elijah's sister, Adrianna, laughing lightly at something the young woman said. The sight of her enjoying herself-without care for him, without any sign of the shame she should have felt-made his blood boil.

His glare sharpened as Fiona sipped her wine, her face calm and composed. How dare she look so content, he thought, fists clenching at his sides. Elise, sta