Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 171

### His Mercy Tastes Like Hunger

#### Chapter 171

Reginald’s POV

I struck her across the face again, the force of my anger palpable in the air. But Fiona’s reaction was nothing short of astonishing—she laughed, a wild, unhinged sound that echoed in the silence between us. Her unpredictability unnerved me.

“You think you can break me?” she shot back, her eyes aflame with defiance as they locked onto mine. “You traded me away. You never loved me. You never wanted this arrangement, did you?! Did you?!” Her voice rose, shrill and piercing, right in my face.

“Fiona! Have you completely lost your mind?!” I countered, my voice rising in desperation. “Do you even grasp why I did this? Why I risked everything, including my own life?!” I could feel the heat of my frustration radiating off me. “What makes you think I would put myself in danger willingly? Everything I’ve done has been for you!”

For a moment, her mouth snapped shut, and I noticed a flicker of understanding in her eyes. Finally, she was actually listening.

“Why would I ever want to put you in harm’s way? Don’t you realize how much it tears me apart to think of you spending nights with him? He’s using you to humiliate me, and deep down, you know it. We both know it. I warned you not to get involved with him, didn’t I?” My voice softened, but the intensity remained.

Fiona’s gaze dropped, shame flooding her features as the weight of her actions from the previous night settled heavily on her shoulders.

“I told you to forget about it, yet you chose to go through with it, claiming it was for your father’s sake. I never wanted to share you with anyone. How could I? You’re my mate! It shattered me every time he laid a hand on you.”

Guilt washed over Fiona like a tide, her earlier accusations now feeling baseless. The drugs had muddled her mind, and now, as she fought to hold back tears, one lone drop escaped, tracing a path down her cheek.

“I don’t want you near him at all. But you know just as well as I do that they control everything. They want to break us because we can’t survive without their support. You understand this. How can you lay the blame on me?”

In that moment, it dawned on her—she was beginning to accept the truth. It had been her choice, and now she was grappling with the reality of it.

“I’m sorry, Reginald. I truly am.” Fiona reached out, her hand trembling as it approached me, but I instinctively recoiled, the movement startling her. “Reginald?”

Confusion clouded her features as she searched my face for answers. Why was I withdrawing from her? “Reginald?”

“You spent the night with him, didn’t you?”

Her eyes widened, panic flickering across her face as she struggled to find the words. The truth hung heavy in the air, undeniable.

“Did you?” I pressed, my voice low and edged with pain.

“Reginald, please…” Fiona’s voice cracked, the panic swelling as she realized the twisted nature of her betrayal. “I didn’t mean to…”

“What do you mean you didn’t mean it, Fiona? Explain how you think that makes it any better?” I glared at her, my heart racing as I swatted her hands away when she tried to reach for me. “Previously, you went to Allen with my permission. I made it clear that we needed the Valerium warriors’ support, and you agreed to it every time. You said you would.”

“Tell me what I need to do to earn your forgiveness, please!”

“Just give me space, Fiona. I need time to process all of this.”

With that, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving her behind, her cries echoing in my ears.

Once outside, the anguish that had marred my expression faded almost instantly. I headed toward the war room, where everyone awaited my arrival, including royal beta Allen.

The old bastard wore a knowing smirk, but I brushed past him, ignoring his presence entirely as I took my seat beside Darius. We faced the three other alphas who remained loyal to me, all committed to this Movement.

Alpha Sterling occupied the chair to my left, ready to run the meeting. My alphas flanked me, while Allen’s people filled the right side, with him positioned at the opposite end of the head table.

Darius and I would deal with him when the moment was right, but not just yet. We still needed him, and a confrontation now would be reckless.

That was why I had intervened when Darius nearly stormed out to confront Allen.

“Let’s begin,” I announced, my voice steady and resolute, ready to steer the course of our plans.