The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 16

-Grayson’s POV-

The entire room went still for a second. Liam’s eyes flickered was unease. Elaine’s face paled, as if all the blood had drained from it. Ava’s eyes narrowed at her friend, disbelief and irritation flashing across her face. “Serioudy, Bel?”

Isabella shrugged, completely unfazed. “You said you wouldn’t tell. I made no such promises.”

I still hadn’t said anything. There was no need to rush. The silence itself was a weapon, and I knew how to wield it well. I wasn’t stupid–far from it. I’d known for a while now that Liam and Elaine were sneaking around, trying to cover their tracks with the guise of mutual hatred. The stolen glances, the awkward tension–they couldn’t hide it from me, not even if they tried

They were all waiting, expecting me to say something.

I kept quiet, letting the tension build, letting the threat of silence hang heavy in the air.

It was Liam who finally broke, stepping forward with a slight bow of his head, his voice steady but tight. “Grayson, I meant no disrespect. Elaine and I… it just happened.”

My gaze flickered from him to Elaine, who was staring at me with wide, almost pleading eyes. Then, to Ava, who looked torn between irritation at Isabella’s recklessness and curiosity at what my next move would be. I let the moment stretch, enjoying the weight of their discomfort before I spoke.

okay.”

The single word cut through the air like a knife. Simple. Cold. But loaded with enough weight to keep them on edge.

Elaine’s voice wavered, unsure of where this was going. “Okay? You’re.. fine with it?”

I could feel the corners of my lips twitch, not quite a smile but something close enough to make the atmosphere more suffocating. “Do you not want me to be?”

The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. The truth was, I didn’t care much that they were sneaking around. Liam was competent, loyal, and I trusted him enough to let him be with my baby cousin. But that didn’t mean I was going to make it easy for them. I had no intention of giving them an out from this discomfort. If they were going to be together, they’d have to earn it

Elaine opened her mouth as if to respond but hesitated, unsure of what to say. searching for some kind of confirmation, but none came.

Her eyes

darted between me and Liam,

And then, of course, Isabella chimed in, completely oblivious–or maybe entirely aware–of the tension in the room. “I didn’t know it was possible for her to be this mellow,” she mused with a sly grin.

felt for Ava which was like a spark of fire but the type that told me he

head snapped in her direction, and for a moment, it looked like she was going to snap back, but Ava stepped in, grabbing Isabella’s arm and dragging her away from the conversation before it escalated. “We’re leaving.” Ava muttered under her breath,

to get the memo, laughing softly as she let Ara pull her out of

lingered, though it had shifted slightly. Liam, always one to try and fix things, cleared his throat, stepping in front of Elaine as if to shield her from whatever

Chapter 16

apologize that this happened the way it did, Grayson, Liam began, hits voire low and measured.

Elaine are real,”

I should’ve come to you first, considering the relationship

I could see her wavering, but I didn’t offer her any relief. I wasn’t in the mood to make this easy for anyone tonight. My gaze move between the two of

blank

if that’s the case, how could I

smile in return, choosing to ignore the sharp

she muttered, more to herself than anyone c.

second before she turned to me. I saw the unease in her gaze as

deliberate. Liam was shifting

me out for everyone to see,

head, giving him a measured look. “And what gave you that

the back of his neck. “Come on, Grayson. I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re not reacting, that’s when I should worry.

my

way over to the bar, grabbing a bottle and pouring myself a drink. The sound of the

inspecting it. “I should probably

didn’t respond, and I didn’t expect him to. I took a

How volatile she can be. So

nodded, his expression serious.

I poured another drink and handed it to him. “Then I’m not mad. I paused, letting my words sink in. “But

chuckle, accepting the glass. “My skin being flayed will be the least of my

respond, just raised an eyebrow. The two of us sat down in silence, the tension slowly ebbing away but never fully leaving the room. I didn’t do emotions. I never had. And Liam understood that. He’d been by my side since the

I trusted with Elaine, it

silence stretched on for a few moments

but I didn’t answer right away. I just stared into my drink,