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.

growled with something akin to interest. Not the type he felt for Ava which was like a spark of fire but the type that told me he liked Isabella’s bravery and the fact that she said what

in, grabbing Isabella’s arm and dragging her away from the conversation before it escalated. “We’re leaving.” Ava muttered under her

didn’t seem to get the memo, laughing softly as she let Ara pull her out of the room. “Come on, I was just

Liam, and Elaine. The tension in the room still lingered, though it had shifted slightly. Liam, always one to try and fix things, cleared his throat, stepping in

Chapter 16

happened the way it did, Grayson, Liam began, hits voire low and measured. “But

Elaine are real,”

considering the relationship between all of us here. I’m sorry. I know I’m messed up. I know, but Liam… She sighed, defeated. “Liam

didn’t offer her any relief. I wasn’t in the mood to make this

blank

“Well, if that’s the case,

response, but she forced a smile in return, choosing to ignore the sharp edge in my tone. Typical. She

need to shower,” she muttered, more to herself than

a split second before she turned to me. I saw the unease in her gaze as she masked her discomfort. Smart girl. Then she walked out, leaving me alone

was heavy, deliberate. Liam was shifting his

me out for everyone to see, aren’t you?” Liam finally broke the tension, his voice low but laced

a measured

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

my

my way over to the bar, grabbing a bottle and pouring myself a drink. The sound of the liquid filling the glass was the only

“I should probably have

respond, and I didn’t expect him to. I took a slow sig before turning

protect her,” I said quietly, my voice steady but cold. After everything that happened between us in the past, you more than anyone understand how important that is. How volatile she can be. So if you’ve chosen to be with her,” I took another sip. “then you better be ready to make sure nothing

posture straightened, and he nodded, his expression serious. “I do.”

him. “Then I’m not

yeah,” Liam interrupted with a chuckle, accepting the glass. “My skin being flayed will be

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 beginning.

anyone I trusted with

stretched on for a few moments before Liam broker again.

I didn’t answer right