The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 12

Grayson’s POV-

1 sat behind my desk, watching Luther Pierce as he stood in front of me, lus presence demanding attention. I knew power when I saw it, recognized it in the posture, in the way someone carried themselves Pierce was no different. But it didn’t faze me. It never did I had been born into power, molded by it. I had never needed to shout or lift a finger to command the kind of respect that kept nations in line. Fear did the talking for me, a quiet, controlled fear that bled through every interaction

But today, staring into Luther’s eyes, I didn’t see that fear. He wasn’t bowing. No submission. And that made my wolf stir. irritated, just under the surface.

“Are you not going to offer me a seat?” Luther’s voice cut through the room, a thread of irritation Laced through his words He was used to respect. Used to people acknowledging his power, just like I was.

i

I didn’t move, didn’t even blink. “I didn’t invite you here, Pierce So, I see no reason for courtesy

His eyes darkened, flashing to black for a brief moment, before he masked his anger. A small smile tugged at my lips. He prided himself on control, just like I did. Maybe, under different circumstances, I might have respected that.

He sat down anyway, uninvited. “I didn’t come here to exchange pleasantries. I’m here for one reason and one reason only He leaned forward, his voice low, almost a growl. “You will end your relationship with Ava and send her back to her husband. Where she belongs.”

I raised an eyebrow, my lips twitching in amusement. “Is that so?”

Silence filled the room. The kind of silence that hung heavy, charged. Neither of us moved, just staring at each other. My wolf growled low, pushing at the edges of my control. He didn’t like the lack of deference. Didn’t like the challenge in Luther’s gaze. I was the Alpha King, placed above all of them. Yet here was Luther Pierce, sitting in front of me, refusing to acknowledge what that meant.

The smile on my face grew. “You know what I find interesting, Pierce? How you suddenly want to play the protective father now. When, in fact, I’m the one who saved your daughter from the very person you should have been protecting her from in the first place.”

For a brief second, something flickered in his eyes–guilt, maybe. But it was gone just as fast, replaced by the same hard look. This conversation is over,” he said, voice clipped. “I’m taking my daughter, and I’m leaving. You won’t like the consequences if you try to stop me.

amusement wash over me.

“It’s not a threat. It’s a fact. Ava doesn’t need

life

repeated,

are? You think I can’t see what

calm, leaning forward slightly, letting my voice drop

your protection. She’s my daughter. I’ve kept

that what you call letting her stay in a marriage that nearly killed her? Or are you referring to tonight, when your daughter was almost burned alive? That’s your

Chapter 12

keeping her safe

never left mine. “If she had been where she was supposed to be, this

did it. My amusement vanished, replaced by cold fury. “And that is exactly why she won’t be going anywhere with you.” I growled, my voice

but I didn’t give him the chance. “Id say you’ve overstayed your welcome, but the

white, barely able to contain the

isn’t over,” he

your sake, I hope it is.” I replied, my tone colder, deadlier. “Because if you

then he stood up, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and hatred, glaring down at me. “Let it be known that I tried to settle this civilly, he said, voice shaking with barely–contained fury. “You have three days,

surface, snarling, ready to tear him apart, but I held back. Barely. Instead, I smiled, slow and dangerous.

he stormed out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut, I Jet out a breath I didn’t realize

had three days to figure this out. Not that I cared about his ultimatum. He could declare all the wars he

power or territory. It was about the one thing that had always eluded me. The one thing that

A weakness.