Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128: A Desperate King’s Plea

Phoebe’s Perspective

I should have anticipated this outcome. Removing Flynn wasn’t going to solve the deeper problems. The former royal beta had merely been punished for his misdeeds.

“Reject the king’s proposal,” Elder Eden declared bluntly, her voice lacking any softness. “Then, you can assist us in persuading the king to choose a mate from the neighboring kingdom.”

They hadn’t yet decided on who that mate might be, still debating their options carefully. Besides, the king’s postponement of the ceremony with me could be seen as a sign of hesitation, a wavering in his choice.

Anyone would be better than this fragile woman without a wolf.

“You aided the traitor in his attempt to murder the king,” Elder Wesley said, leaning back in his chair and fixing me with a sharp, disdainful gaze. “The only reason you’re still alive is because you are the king’s destined mate. But even so, you don’t want to be with him, do you?”

He tried to hide his contempt, but it slipped through his words like a crack in a dam.

“This arrangement offers a solution that benefits both sides. You can live as you please, free from the king’s constant watch. Isn’t that what you want?”

Yes, that was exactly what I desired. But their attempt to use this as a weapon against me, to manipulate me with it, made my blood boil.

I had been controlled before—following orders even when they aligned with my own wishes—but I refused to walk that path again. I’d rather be damned than surrender myself like that once more.

The two elders waited expectantly for my reply. When I didn’t speak, Elder Eden suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Oh, how foolish of me,” she muttered, standing to retrieve paper and a pen. Sliding them toward me, she instructed, “Write down what you want to say. If there’s something you desire, we can negotiate.”

I stared at the pen and paper for a moment, then rose from my seat and moved toward the door. There was nothing I wanted to write. This time, my message was perfectly clear to both Elder Wesley and Elder Eden.

I opened the door wide.

At first, they both frowned, not understanding my intention. But when realization dawned, they sprang to their feet, cursing my audacity under their breath.

“Do you think you can claim the king now? Just because he forgave you once doesn’t mean he’ll do so forever. There will come a day when he grows tired of you, and when that happens, you’ll be nothing more than the king’s plaything!” Elder Wesley’s words struck me like a knife.

Elder Eden tugged at his sleeve, urging him to soften his tone, but his anger was too fierce to be tempered. He shot me a glare as he and Elder Eden passed through the doorway.

“Think carefully before you reject this offer. It’s wiser to have allies within this palace if you intend to stay,” Elder Eden warned before following him out.

Once they were gone, I let out a shaky breath. My legs buckled beneath me, and I collapsed to the floor.

The weight of the moment made my head spin.

I didn’t even notice when Perry came into view.

“Please, let me stay like this for a moment. I need to control my anger,” Perry said in a desperate, almost pleading tone.

His words made me pause.

I had intended to push him away, but my hands froze, hovering above his head.

“Let me stay like this. I’m terrified I’ll lose control and kill them. Elder Tricia would tear me apart if I did,” he groaned quietly.

When Perry had killed Elder Leo a few days ago, Elder Tricia had scolded him relentlessly.

It wasn’t that Perry couldn’t kill Elder Tricia—he absolutely could—but he chose not to. There were only a few people he refused to harm, no matter how deeply they offended him.

Elder Tricia… Flynn… and without a doubt, his mate.

I didn’t know how to respond.

I should have pushed him away, but if I did, Perry might slaughter those elders, and their deaths would weigh heavily on my conscience.

So, in the end, I remained still.

Lowering my hands, I gazed down at Perry’s head resting in my lap. He needed a haircut, I thought quietly, as the room fell into a tense, fragile silence.