Chapter 128: Chapter 128 A Desperate Kings Plea
Phoebe’s POV
I should have seen this coming. Getting rid of Flynn wouldn’t fix anything. The former royal beta had simply been punished for his actions.
"Reject the king’s proposal," Elder Eden stated without ceremony. "And you can help us persuade the king to mate with the neighboring kingdom."
They hadn’t settled on who yet, still weighing their choices. Besides, the king’s delay in holding the ceremony for me could be interpreted as uncertainty about his mate.
Anyone would be superior to this fragile, wolfless woman.
"You assisted the traitor in attempting to murder the king. The only reason you’re breathing is because you’re the king’s destined mate, but even then, you don’t want to be with him, correct?" Elder Wesley settled back in his chair, fixing his stare on me.
He attempted to mask his contempt, but failed miserably.
"This creates a mutually beneficial solution for your predicament. You can live however you choose without the king hovering over you. Isn’t that what you desire?"
Yes, that was exactly what I wanted, but having them weaponize it against me, thinking they could manipulate me, left me seething.
I’d been controlled before, following commands, even when those orders aligned with my wishes, but I refused to walk that path again. I’d be damned before I surrendered myself like that once more.
The two elders waited for my response, but when I remained silent, Elder Eden seemed to remember something.
"Oh, how foolish of me," she muttered. "You still can’t speak, can you?" She rose and fetched paper and a pen, sliding them across to me before issuing instructions. "Write what you wish to say. If you want something, we can negotiate."
I stared at the pen and paper before standing and moving toward the door. I had nothing to write, and this time, my message was crystal clear to Elder Wesley and Elder Eden.
I opened the door and held it wide.
Initially, they both frowned, missing my meaning, but when understanding dawned, they shot to their feet, cursing my audacity.
"Do you believe you can claim the king now? Just because he forgave you once doesn’t guarantee he’ll forgive you forever. There will come a time when he grows weary of you, and when that happens, you’ll be nothing more than the king’s plaything!"
Elder Wesley’s words cut deep, prompting Elder Eden to tug his sleeve, urging him to moderate his tone, but his fury was too intense. He glared at me as he and Elder Eden passed through the doorway.
"Reconsider this offer. It’s wiser to have allies in this palace if you intend to remain," Elder Eden advised before following the other elder.
I drew a shaky breath once they disappeared from view. My knees gave way.
The stress made my head spin.
I didn’t even realize I’d collapsed to the floor when Perry entered my field of vision.
"Phoebe," Perry spoke my name, though his tone was arctic. He knew exactly who had visited me.
Those old witches were pushing his boundaries now. "I’ll escort you to your room."
Perry lifted me, but I resisted being carried.
Too late. Perry was livid, needing his mate to restrain his rage. Otherwise, he would have stormed off to hunt down those two elders and eliminate them immediately.
He’d face criticism again for killing his elders, but that wouldn’t bother him.
"Stay still. Help me with this. I feel like murdering someone," Perry whispered against my ear as he carried me away, while Marcela could only watch us.
I froze when I heard Perry’s declaration. I studied his face. His expression remained as frigid as always.
I could sense his fury, so I didn’t struggle against him.
Once we reached my bedroom, Perry set me on the bed’s edge, but rather than sitting beside me, he dropped to his knees before me.
This action puzzled me, making me frown at him.
I had no idea what he was doing, and I nearly pushed his head away when he pressed his forehead against my lap.
"Please, let me stay like this for a moment, so I can control my anger," Perry said in a desperate tone, which made me pause.
I’d intended to shove him away from my lap, but my hands remained frozen, suspended above his head.
"Let me stay like this. I’m terrified I’ll kill them. Elder Tricia will tear me apart if I do," Perry groaned. When he’d killed Elder Leo days ago, Elder Tricia had berated him thoroughly.
It wasn’t that Perry couldn’t eliminate Elder Tricia—he could—but he chose not to. Only a select few people existed whom he refused to kill regardless of how severely they offended him.
Elder Tricia... and Flynn were examples. And undoubtedly, his mate.
I didn’t know what to do.
I should have pushed him away, but then Perry might slaughter those elders, and their deaths would burden my conscience.
So ultimately, I remained motionless. I lowered my hands and gazed at Perry’s head. He needed a haircut.
