"You've secured what you were after. Now deliver what I'm owed," Reginald declared to the royal beta Allen that afternoon, fresh from spending time with his mate.
Fiona had become a complete disaster. The tears never stopped flowing. She refused food, rejected sleep, and devoted every waking moment to sobbing.
Reginald found himself reluctant to return to his chambers now. Her constant wailing disrupted his rest and sleep schedule, forcing him to waste time consoling her.
He'd struck her face the previous day when she'd screamed at him directly—and it worked. The yelling ceased, leaving only her relentless weeping.
"Absolutely. I never break my agreements. No need for concern on that front."
"Good. What's the timeline?"
Allen considered this briefly. "Seven days."
"Perfect."
Reginald's smile reflected his complete satisfaction.
"One more thing—could I borrow your mate again? It would really help things go smoother. She performed exceptionally."
