Contract With The Alpha King

64.62%uConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Fiona blinked, her heart racing as she looked up and realized who she had collided with. The Alpha King-King Nicholas himself-stood before her, his imposing figure casting a shadow over her. She swallowed hard, unsure whether to apologize or retreat.

"Are you alright?" King Nicholas asked, his tone surprisingly soft for someone of his stature.

Fiona quickly nodded, still feeling the sting of her fall, but her pride was bruised far more than her body. Before she could say anything, the King extended his hand toward her, an unexpected gesture of kindness. Hesitating for only a second, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her up.

"I suppose you're lost," the King observed, his sharp eyes glancing around the maze with familiarity.

Fiona let out a frustrated sigh and nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so. I've been walking in circles for what feels like hours."

King Nicholas shook his head lightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "This isn't the best place to get lost. The palace gardens are notorious for trapping people."

"Clearly," Fiona muttered, half in annoyance, half in self-deprecation.

The King's eyes flicked toward her, studying her for a moment. "Why don't we take a break? Join me for tea.

Fiona opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, her stomach growled audibly, making her wince in

embarrassment. King Nicholas raised an eyebrow, and then, unexpectedly, he chuckled.

"Has Elijah not been feeding you properly?" he asked, a glimmer of amusement in his voice. Seeing his reaction, Fiona was immediately reminded of how Elijah lifted his eyebrow. They were too similar!

Fiona couldn't help but laugh. "I've been a little... distracted, Your Majesty."

"Well, let's fix that." King Nicholas gestured for her to follow. "Dinner will be much more satisfying than tea, I think."

As they began walking, Fiona started to analyze what had just happened. She couldn't believe she was walking with the Alpha King himself, let alone that he had invited her to dine with him. Part of her wanted to refuse, to find her own way out of the maze and back to safety. But the other part-the one that was exhausted, hungry, and far too intrigued by the chance to speak with the King-kept her silent.

Was this an opportunity, or a trap? Dining with the Alpha King could be seen as a privilege or a danger. She thought of Elijah -what would he think of her having dinner with his father? Would Carissa use this against her somehow? Fiona considered all these possibilities, weighing the pros and cons as they walked side by side.

In the end, hunger and curiosity won out. Fiona knew she could always handle herself in the presence of royalty. She had already faced worse.

With a deep breath, she turned to the King and smiled. "Dinner sounds lovely, Your Majesty. Thank you."

"Hmmm..." King Nicholas mused, clasping his hands behind his back as they walked. His gaze lingered on the path ahead, but Fiona could feel his attention shift back to her quickly.

"How do you like your first day at the infirmary?" King Nicholas asked, his tone casual yet probing.

Fiona hesitated for a moment, still adjusting to the unexpected conversation. "It was fine," she replied carefully. "I- I never. expected to receive so many patients."

The King gave a knowing nod. "Those are soldiers-werewolf soldiers-training day and night to guard the palace from unwanted visitors," he explained. His voice was steady, almost proud, but there was a weight behind his words, a reminder of the ever-present danger that loomed over the palace.

<

3

Fiona looked at him, her curiosity piqued. "I didn't realize the training was so intense," she admitted. "Many of them seemed... well, exhausted."

62%

"They should be," King Nicholas replied with a faint smile. "Exhaustion means they're pushing their limits. But they heal quickly, don't worry. Werewolf resilience is unmatched." His eyes shifted toward her, an almost teasing glint in them. "Still, I imagine it was quite an overwhelming day for you."

Fiona nodded. "It was... challenging, but rewarding too. I'm learning a lot."

The King's smile grew, though there was something unreadable in his gaze. "Good. You'll find that the palace has a way of testing people, even those who aren't soldiers." He paused, glancing around the now quieter garden as they approached the palace. "But I think you'll do just fine, Fiona."

"Thank you-" Fiona paused, realizing she shouldn't be speaking so casually with the Alpha King. "I mean-thank you, Your Highness, for giving me the chance to work with them." "Hmmm..." Again, he nodded.

The two walked in silence for a few minutes, the only sound being the gravel crunching under their feet. Fiona's thoughts raced, but she kept them to herself as they wound their way deeper into the maze. Finally, they reached an open area at the center, a circular clearing that seemed like the eye of the maze. The hedges formed a perfect circle around the space, and in the middle stood a statue of the Goddess, serene and watching over them.

Surrounding the statue was a small seating area with a handful of elegant chairs. Roses bloomed behind each seat, adding a splash of color to the otherwise green and gray landscape. In front of the statue was a table, already set with silverware, wine glasses, and covered dishes, as if someone had been preparing for a private dinner.

King Nicholas paused, gesturing toward the setup. "I was planning to dine here alone," he said. His voice was calm, almost nonchalant. "But since you're with me, I'd like to offer you my food."

Fiona blinked, her surprise evident. "Oh no, Your Majesty, I couldn't possibly-" she began, but the King waved her off with a casual hand.

"I insist," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It's my responsibility to make sure my daughter-in-law is well-fed."

Your Fiona felt heat rise to her cheeks, completely taken aback by his words. She hadn't expected such a direct comment about her relationship with Elijah, especially not from the Alpha King himself. Embarrassed, she stammered, "Th-thank you, Majesty." King Nicholas smiled faintly and gestured for her to sit. Fiona hesitated but finally accepted, unable to shake the blush from her face as she took her place at the table.

After a few moments of silence, King Nicholas reached for a small bell placed discreetly at the edge of the table. He rang it gently, and within seconds, a man dressed entirely in black approached them. Fiona hadn't noticed him before, and his sudden presence startled

her.

"This is Arturo, my aide," the King said, introducing the man with a slight nod.

Arturo bowed slightly in acknowledgment, his face calm and composed.

"Arturo, bring us some tea, desserts, and a fresh plate of dinner for me," King Nicholas instructed.

Fiona quickly spoke up. "Your Majesty, really, you don't need to do that. I can wait for the new plate. You should enjoy the food that's already here."

But King Nicholas merely shook his head, his expression making it clear the discussion was over. Fiona understood the signal and quietly stopped talking, unsure whether to feel embarrassed or thankful for his insistence. Arturo bowed again before turning to fulfill the King's request.

Once they were alone, King Nicholas turned to Fiona with a measured smile. "Now," he said, his gaze sharp. "Shall we finally address the elephant in the room?" 00062%1