The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 143

Ava’s POV

It felt like an eternity before 1 found my words. “What are you doing here?”

That was a stupid question. This was his house.

Grayson didn’t answer immediately. He just stared at me, his piercing gaze searching for something | wasn’t sure

| wanted him to find. Then, he stepped closer, and instintively, | stepped back. | hated the way his face shifted-

pain and surprise flickering in his eyes, just for a moment. Still, neither of us spoke

“Aren’t you supposed to be mad at him?”

Normally, that would've cfrom my subconscious, but this tit was my wolf, clearly irritated.

Yes, | thought. Iwas mad at-or | am.

But now, standing here with him in front of me, | just wanted to throw my arms around him and cement the fact

that he was actually here, alive and breathing. My lips trembled but before | could speak, someone beatto it.

“Grayson, you're back.”

We both turned our heads at the sound of heels clicking against the floor. Elaine strode toward us, wearing

something more appropriate than the near-scandalous attire she’d tried to enter the ball in earlier.

She moved straight to him and throwing her arms around his neck. “I was so worried.”

The words felt hollow.

If they weren't cousins-and knowing Elaine’s history-I would've thought she was being disingenuous. Her

concern had seemed genuine the first the went missing, and again after his attack. But this time? When it

happened, she acted as though she couldn't care less. Then again, she'd just learned that Grayson had indirectly

caused her parents‘ deaths. She had every reason to hate him.

| stayed silent, unsure of what to say or how to feel. His being here didn’t erase what he'd done. The weight of

that truth hitlike a slap, and reality crushing back. I had a ball to get back to, responsibilities to fulfill.

| turned, ready to leave, but Elaine’s voice stopped me.

“Did you know Ava wouldn't letinto her ball?” she said, venom lacing her words. “She practically

embarrassedin front of everyone and then kickedout! And did she even ask you before inviting those

people here?”

What?

| blinked, stunned. | hadn't asked for his permission because he refused to speak to me, but still-what? “You

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walked in there half-naked,” | snapped. “And you were with Monica, who is supposed to be banned and-" Elaine

folded her arms across her chest and interrupted me. “Do you hear how she talks to

me?”

L

Grayson still didn’t say anything. In fact, he hadn't spoken a word since he'd wisheda happy birthday. If all

he was going to do was stand there and stare atthen...

“Grayson, aren't you going to say something?” Elaine demanded

A second passed before he finally spoke, his voice deep and steady directed at me. “You look really beautiful.”

1/3

Chapter 148

1 froze.

Elaine’s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with disbelief Bur before she could speak, he cut her off

“This is as much her house as it is mine, and she can do as she wishes”

My heart jumped, and | had to force it to settle because this didn’t fix things. It didn’t change what he'd done.

His voice softened, and his next words were directed at Elaine. don’t expect you to forgivefor what | did,

even though | never meant for it to happen. | understand that you have every right to hate me. As much as i

wish things could be different, | can’t change the past. But | won't take your side against Ava, not when | know

you're in the wrong.”

For a moment, it felt like he was baring his soul. It was the most honest I'd ever heard him. Not even the letter

he’d left could top this moment.

Elaine blinked, her lips tightening before she narrowed her eyes at him. “When | heard your plane had crashed,

for a fleeting moment, | wished you'd died so you could pay for what you took from me. But it doesn’t matter.

You might as well be dead to me.”

Grayson'’s expression shattered, raw pain flashing across his face. My heart ached for him. But then, just as

quickly, he masked it, reverting to his usual cold, unreadable demeanor. “If that’s how you feel.”

“Fine,” Elaine spat, gathering her dress tically. “You two can have each other. You deserve each other

anyway. I'll have someone send for my things, and you can both go to hell and rot in it for all | care.”

She turned on her heel and stormed away, but not before shootinga look of pure hatred.

Grayson and | stood there, the air thick with tension. Without thinking, | closed the distance between us and

wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest.

For a moment, he didn’t move. Then his arms caround me, pullinginto him as though he never wanted

to let go.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered into my hair, his voice rough.

“I know,” | whispered back. “I know.”

| still didn’t fully understand why he had done what he did. A part ofwas still angry, still hurt. But Grayson

had managed to carve himself into my heart, and | couldn't deny that this moment-the feel of his arms around

me—was all I'd craved for the past week.

Someone cleared their throat behind us, shattering the moment. | pulled back, turning to see my mother

standing a few feet away. Her expression was calm, and to my surprise, there was no disapproval in her eyes.

| stepped further away from Grayson, my cheeks flushing with heat. “I should, um, get back to the, uh... ball. |

should back inside.”

Grayson

didn’t say anything, just watchedwith an intensity that made my stomach twist in knots.

My mother stepped forward, “You are the host and this is your ball. Finish what you started.”

She glanced at Grayson briefly, her expression unreadable, before walking away in the opposite direction.

| turned back to him, biting my lip. “I really should go. Everyone's probably waiting for me.”

He nodded, but his eyes didn’t leave mine. “Ava...”

| hesitated, waiting for him to continue.

get

10:54 Sun, Jan 12

Chapter 143

“Happy birthday,” he said softly.

The sincerity in his voice madeid.

chest ache. | gave him a small smile before turning and walking away, my heart heavy

with the weight of everything left unsaid.

The ball was in full swing when | returned, but | felt like a ghost walking through the crowd. My mind was still

with Grayson, replaying every word, every look, every touch.

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mediately, 1

Isabella appeared at my side almost expression a mix of curiosity and concern. “So?” she prompted, her voice

low enough to avoid drawing attention.

| exhaled heavily, struggling to put my feelings into words. “Honestly? | don’t even know,” | admitted, my voice

laced with exhaustion.

But even as | spoke, my gaze wandered across the room. The guests were stealing glances atbefore quickly

looking away. The weight of their silent scrutiny pressed down onuntil my eyes landed on Dylan. He stood

next to Crystal, his expression unreadable as Uncle Damien addressed them both. But Dylan's focus, like

Crystal's, was solely on me.

| looked away first, my chest tightening with a mix of irritation and unease. Turning back to Isabella, | confessed,

“I just want this night to be over.” My voice was quiet but carried an edge of weariness | couldn't hide and |

suddenly wondered why | fought to host it in the first place.

Her brow furrowed as if she wanted to say something, but before she could, the music shifted. A sharp, tic

beat echoed through the room, slicing through the chatter. Instantly, people rose to their feet, moving with

purpose. The crowd parted in a synchronized wave, clearing the center of the hall as if on cue.

The Dance.

A familiar dread settled over me. I'd always despised this part of the evening. It wasn’t just the formalities or the

pressure to perform; it was the calculated way my parents used it as an opportunity to matchwith someone

appropriate’ before Dylan. Thankfully | never got the chance to attend a ball with him and | had no plans of

participating this time, especially after everything that had already happened tonight.

But the universe yet again-had other plans.

Caught in the middle of the room, | hesitated for a moment too long. Before | could retreat to the safety of the

sidelines like Isabella had quickly moved, the flow of movement aroundcarriedforward. Without realizing

it, | found myself standing in line with the other she-wolves, awaiting our partners

My heart sank as my eyes swept over the faces ahead of me. The sharp beat of the music grew louder, more

intense, mirroring the tension building inside me. Then my gaze locked on the figure directly in front ofand |

cursed.

Of course it just had to be him but there was no way in hell | was letting him touchlet alone dance.

| made to move away but Dylan was faster, grabbing my hand in tune with the music and spinningright into

his arms- then whispered cruelly, “Where do you think you are going? You and | have a lot to talk about.”

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