The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 13

– Ava’s POV-

That was the first and only word he had spoken since I entered the study, and it carried so much weight, so much force, that common sense had me taking a step back. I swallowed hard, trying to gather the courage I thought I had when I walked into the study.

“What part is a mistake, Ava?”

The way he said my name–low, dangerous–made my pulse quicken. It wasn’t a question. It was a warning, a threat wrapped in those simple words. All the explanations I’d rehearsed in my head vanished like smoke.

Why

y did I think this was a good idea? In less than twenty four hours since I met him, he had had to walk into a burning building to save me and a war was already brewing between him and my father and I knew my father. He stayed in his lane but the moment he was crossed, hell would break lose.

“I think I’ve had enough of Pierce nonsense today to last me a lifetime. Leave.”

I should’ve listened. I should’ve turned around, walked out, and accepted that this was it. There were no take backs when it came to him but something inside me snapped. Maybe it was the way he spoke to me like I was nothing, or maybe I was just tired of being afraid. I took a step forward, deeper into his space, my heart hammering in my chest.

Can I please sit?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper, trying to sound stronger than I felt.

“No.”

The answer came swift and cold. I sat down anyway, defying him, and I heard the low growl rumble from his chest. I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself.

“You’re stronger than this, Lilian. Don’t let anyone push you around.” Isabella’s voice echoed in my mind.

When I opened my eyes again, his expression had shifted, though it was no less menacing. He was watching me closely, his eyes dark and unreadable, like he was trying to peer into my soul. It made my skin tingle, but I had to keep going.

“My father,” I started, swallowing the lump in my throat, “He will make good on his threat and I think that the unnecessary bloodshed can be avoided. You said so yourself, you are not one for that

He leaned back, one eyebrow arching, the smallest hint of amusement dancing in his cold gaze. “So, you want me to tear up the contract because Daddy doesn’t approve!” His tone dripped with mockery, condescension that made my blood boil.

to me like I’m an idiot,” I snapped before I

an idiot, Ava. Quite the opposite. You’re smart, maybe too smart.

but he cut me off, his voice sharp as a blade. “When Pm speaking, I don’t like to be

in my lap, nodding, biting back the retort burning on my

annulment,” he said, his voice now cold and calculating, “what happens next? You will do as

than I intended, desperate. “I’d never go back to him. I’d stay with Bels, find a job–hell. I’m good at what I do. I’d be fine. And I

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Chapter 13

was about him that mile me so uncomfortable mentioning

at me, his lip curving into a smile–a smile that made my stomach twist in knots. “You’ve thought

didn’t answer. There was no point. He didn’t

narrowing, studying me like I was a juzzle he was slowly piecing together. “Your eyes

I expected him to say, “No.. I mean, they’ve always been like that. I don’t know why.” My voice was

eventually.” His tone shifted, darker, colder. “But there’s something about

Like he owned it, like I was just another thing for him to control.

me, I find an ounce of pleasure watching them and understanding the

not liking the direction this was going,

haven’t you?” he said, his voice son but cutting. “Molded by your father, your mother, into this little sculpture. You hide every crack, every flaw, because you’re terrified of what they’ll think if

and I forced them down. I clenched my jaw, fighting the rising tide of emotion. He didn’t know

in that marriage, let him destroy you, all because you didn’t want to disappoint them. You would’ve let it kill you, just so they could keep their perfect image.” His voice was cold, detached, like he was simply stating a fact. “The cheating

back of my eyes. He was right. Every word of it

“Am I wrong?”

and I wiped it away quickly, refusing to let him see

again, his gaze locking onto mine. “I don’t care about your father. I don’t care

down my spine, and for the first time, I realized just how trapped I

“You’re going to stop letting your father control you. You’re going to stop being his

of what to say, but my head nodded of its own accord.