Contract With The Alpha King

Fiona wiped her hands on her apron as the shift in the infirmary ended. She let out a small breath, glad the day was over. Cillian, one of the senior healers and her partner for the whole shift, walked beside her, his brow furrowed as he glanced at her. "You did well today, Fiona, but there's something we need to address," Cillian said, his tone calm but firm. "You tend to jump to conclusions too quickly. You can't assume what a patient's issue is before examining them thoroughly. It's dangerous." Fiona nodded, but inwardly, she disagreed. She wasn't guessing her abilities allowed her to feel what was wrong with the patients almost immediately. It wasn't an assumption-her senses just knew. Of course, she couldn't exactly explain that to Cillian, so she stayed quiet, nodding along to his advice.

"Just keep that in mind," Cillian added before giving her a brief rod and heading off.

As she turned to leave, Miss Rosenda, the head healer, approached her. "Fiona," Rosenda called, her voice as sharp as always. "How was your first shift?"

"It was fine, Miss Rose," Fiona replied quickly, hoping her nervousness didn't show.

"Good," Rosenda nodded. Then her eyes narrowed slightly. "Come to my office. We need to talk."

Fiona followed Miss Rosenda into her office, the room small but neatly organized. As soon as the door closed, Rosenda didn't waste any time. "What's your relationship with Prince Elijah?"

Fiona blinked, taken aback by the direct question. "We're... close friends," she answered carefully. "I saved him once, and that's all there is to it."

Rosenda gave her a hard look. "Everyone in the palace now believes you're his lover," she said bluntly. "You should be careful. Rumors like this can ruin you."

Fiona swallowed, her cheeks heating up at the thought. "Thank you, Miss Rose. I'll be careful."

Rosenda nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Good. Now, go rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

Fiona left the infirmary, feeling the weight of the conversation settle over her. She started walking towards Elijah's palace, her mind racing with thoughts about the rumors. However, before she could reach her destination, she encountered Miss Carissa.

Miss Carissa stood with two maids behind her, clearly waiting. Fiona felt a pang of annoyance. She had hoped to avoid her, but it was too late. Carissa had already spotted her.

"Fiona!" Carissa called out, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Fiona sighed inwardly and turned to face her, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Miss Carissa."

"Do you have a moment?"

Fiona hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded. "Alright," she said, following Carissa as she led the way into what looked like a secluded garden on the palace grounds. The soft scent of flowers filled the air. Fiona couldn't help but notice how perfectly maintained the

area was.

As they reached a small seating area surrounded by blooming roses, Carissa turned to her with a satisfied smile. "The Queen Luna has allowed me to use this space whenever I wish," she said her tone laced with pride.

Fiona nodded, trying to appear polite. "The flowers are beautiful she replied simply.

Carissa's maid stepped forward, offering tea. Fiona shook her head gently. "Thank you, but I'm tired. I really need to rest,"

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she said, keeping her voice steady. The fact that this place seemed too far from the palace bothered her. "Perhaps you could just tell me what you wanted."

Carissa raised an eyebrow but smiled, clearly amused. "I like your straightforward attitude, Fiona. So, I'll be direct as well."

continuing. "I want you to leave the palace. In fact, I want you to leave this

She motioned for her maids to step aside before place entirely."

Fiona blinked, taken aback by the bold statement. Before she could respond, Carissa leaned in slightly, her smile never fading. "I'm willing to make it worth your while. Money, jewels, whatever you desire. Name your price, and it's yours. Just walk away and forget about Prince Elijah."

Fiona stared at her for a moment, trying to process the offer. It was outrageous, but Carissa's expression was serious. Fiona felt a knot of irritation rise in her chest, but she kept her face neutral. "And what exactly makes you think I want anything like that?" she asked, her voice calm.

Carissa's smile widened. "Everyone has a price, Fiona. This is a generous offer, and it's for your own good. Think about it- you could live comfortably anywhere you choose. No more palace drama, no more whispers behind your back, and I could protect you from anyone else."

Fiona took a deep breath, resisting the urge to snap back. She straightened, meeting Carissa's gaze head-on. "I don't need your money or your jewels," she said firmly. "If that's all, I think we're done here."

Carissa's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered, her eyes narrowing. "Think about it," she said, her voice a little colder now. "The offer stands, but it won't be for long."

Fiona couldn't believe the audacity of Carissa. Did she really think she could buy her off? The idea that Carissa assumed money or jewels could sway her was not only insulting, but it also showed how little the woman understood her. Fiona wasn't someone who could be bribed or scared into leaving. Did Carissa truly think that Fiona's connection to Élijah was that shallow?

Fiona felt her frustration grow with each step as she walked away from the garden. Who did Carissa think she was, throwing around offers like Fiona could be bought? And what made her believe Fiona would even consider such a thing? The arrogance of the woman was astounding.

She continued walking, determined to get to Elijah's palace and clear her head. But as she moved further away from the central area of the palace grounds, Fiona started to notice something. The path she had taken wasn't familiar. She hadn't been paying attention, too caught up in her thoughts, and now... she was lost.

Fiona paused, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings. She couldn't see the usual landmarks that helped guide her to Elijah's quarters. There was no one around to ask, and the looming trees and empty pathways seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. Her heart sank.

Great. Just great!