Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 152

Darius’s face twisted with fury, his piercing gaze locked onto Reginald and Alpha Sterling. “The king! That insufferable king is actually here! He’s the one rallying the warriors!” His voice quivered with indignation, the weight of his frustration hanging heavily in the air. “You promised me he wouldn’t be leading them, yet here he stands, right before us!”

Reginald’s expression shifted to one of disbelief, his brow furrowing deeply. “Are you absolutely certain about this?”

With a bitter laugh, Darius responded, “Our scout has confirmed it. His banner is unmistakable—it’s definitely him.”

An atmosphere thick with tension enveloped the room as the other five alphas exchanged anxious glances, their concern evident in their furrowed brows and clenched jaws. Alpha Isaac, visibly uneasy, wiped the beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead. “Do you think the reinforcements from Valerium will arrive in time?”

Isaac’s ties to the rebellion, stemming from his connection to the late Alpha Theodore, anchored him to Fiona and Draven. This familial allegiance fueled his willingness to take such a significant risk, but as the stakes escalated, the burden of their precarious plan pressed heavily upon him.

“They’ll arrive when we need them. We just have to hold on a little longer,” Reginald assured the group, turning his attention to Alpha Sterling, who had been in charge of coordinating with their foreign allies. “Can we speak privately?”

Alpha Vance’s brow knitted in irritation. “Why do you keep referring to him as alpha? He lost that title long ago. And why the secrecy? We’re all in this together—let’s speak openly.”

Reginald’s gaze sharpened. “He is still an alpha, regardless of your opinion. Even Alpha Theodore held that title until his dying breath.”

This assertion silenced Vance, reinforcing the trust the others had in Reginald. He embodied the mission of the fallen alpha, determined to dismantle the crown.

If only mere words could resolve their predicament, perhaps this war would never have ignited.

The meeting dragged on, arguments cycling back to the same unresolved points, frustration mounting with each passing moment.

Eventually, Reginald found a moment alone with Alpha Sterling.

“We need to change our approach. Charging directly at the king will lead to our annihilation.”

Alpha Sterling nodded solemnly, pouring drinks for both of them. “It’s about time you recognized the reality.” They had prepared for this crucial battle, but their strategies had assumed the king would remain far from the frontline.

Now, everything required a complete overhaul.

“Having the king on the battlefield will ignite every warrior’s spirit. They’ll fight fiercely with him at the helm.” Sterling downed his drink in one swift motion. “And let’s not forget the king himself. The Mad King in his beastly form is lethal. Just his presence can paralyze you—a split second that determines life or death.”

Reginald filled his glass, already aware of these grim truths.

“Redirect the reinforcements to target the palace instead,” he interjected, cutting off Sterling mid-sentence.

“What are you proposing? Another attempt to snatch Phoebe?” Sterling raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward Reginald’s damaged eye. “Look how well that turned out last time.”

“I have something far more strategic in mind.”

“And what might that be?”

“We retreat.”

**Phoebe’s POV**

Three long weeks had dragged on since Perry’s departure from the palace, and the ache of his absence lingered like a shadow. Surprisingly, these weeks had been marked by an unusual calmness.

As I half-listened to their lively chatter, a movement caught my eye in the periphery.

Viola.

I had heard she was in the palace, her destined mate revealed to be one of the senior royal guards. Yet, we had yet to meet face-to-face. I had caught a glimpse of her once but refrained from approaching.

What would we even talk about?

None of the events that transpired between us were anyone’s fault.

“Can I speak with you?” Viola asked, her voice breaking through my thoughts.

**Conclusion**

As the weight of uncertainty loomed over the alphas, the emotional toll of their decisions became increasingly evident. Reginald’s determination to rethink their strategy reflected not only his tactical acumen but also a deep-seated desire to protect those he cared for, especially Phoebe. The looming threat of the Mad King, with his fierce presence on the battlefield, served as a stark reminder of the stakes involved. In the quiet moments shared between the alphas, it was clear that their unity, forged through shared loss and loyalty, would be tested in ways they could not yet comprehend. The burden of leadership weighed heavily on Reginald, yet he clung to the hope that their collective strength could guide them through the impending storm.

Meanwhile, Phoebe’s journey toward healing unfolded in the stillness of the palace, where the absence of external pressures allowed her to explore her own resilience. Surrounded by the warmth of new friendships and the nurturing guidance of Marcela, she began to reclaim her voice, even if it was in whispers. The encounter with Viola hinted at the possibility of connection and understanding, bridging the chasm created by their shared past. In this moment of quiet introspection, Phoebe’s heart swelled with a flicker of hope, suggesting that even in the midst of turmoil, the threads of love and friendship could weave a tapestry of strength that would ultimately guide them all toward a brighter future.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the tension rises and the stakes become increasingly perilous, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional and strategic turmoil faced by both Darius and Phoebe. With the king now leading the charge, the dynamics of power have shifted dramatically, igniting a fierce determination among the warriors that could either rally them to victory or plunge them into chaos. Reginald’s desperate plan to retreat hints at an internal struggle, revealing the weight of leadership and the sacrifices that may be necessary to protect those he cares about. How will the other alphas react to this unexpected pivot, and what sacrifices will they be forced to make in the name of survival?

Meanwhile, Phoebe’s journey toward healing continues to unfold, but the arrival of Viola introduces a new layer of complexity. Their potential meeting is fraught with unspoken tension and unresolved feelings, leaving readers to wonder how their paths will intertwine amidst the backdrop of looming conflict. Will Viola become a source of strength for Phoebe, or will their encounter spark more questions than answers? With each character grappling with their own fears and desires, the next chapter is set to explore the delicate balance between vulnerability and resilience, leaving us eager to see how these relationships will evolve in the face of impending war.