The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 17

-Ava POV-

“You really didn’t have to do that.” I snapped at Isabella the moment we stepped outside. My voice was sharper than 1 intended, but I couldn’t help it. “That was petty and low, even for you”

Isabella just shrugged completely 177. “I didn’t like her pititude. And if you think about it, maybe I did you a favor.

Maybe Grayson will ground her, and you won’t have to see her face for a while.”

1 glared harder, feeling the frustration bubbling in my chest. Sometimes, she could be so damn childish. “You act like a kid, you know that, right?”

“But you love me anyway.” She grinned, somehow managing to out and smirk at the same time. It was almost disarming. and before I knew it, I was rolling my eyes and letting out a reluctant smile.

“Come on, let’s go before any of them come out.” I nudged her in the direction of my room.

“Or before his royal hotness comes out and eats you up with his eyes.” Isabella gave me a look that made my stomach drop “Good luck surviving a whole year with him, seeing him every day with all that gorgeousness being shoved in your face. If it’s too much for you, we can trade.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, even though I didn’t find the situation half as amusing as she did. “Let’s just get drunk and go to bed. I can’t deal with you sober right now.”

Her phone rang, cutting through the moment and she frowned, pulling it out of her pocket. “It’s work,” she muttered. “Jameson never calls this late unless it’s important.”

“Go ahead. I’ll just roam around until you’re done, and then we can head to my room.”

The words felt strange coming out of my mouth–my room. I didn’t want to get comfortable here. This wasn’t my home, no matter how long I stayed. I was on borrowed time, under the roof of a man I barely knew and definitely didn’t trust. A man who could ruin me with a single decision.

With that thought gnawing at me, I wandered through the enormous mansion, my steps aimless until I found myself stepping outside. The air was cooler, and I inhaled deeply, trying to clear my head. But just as I started to relax, a voice–hi voice–cut through the night like a knife.

“Well, aren’t you already making yourself comfortable?” Dylan’s tone was venomous, dripping with the malice I’d grown too familiar with.

My heart lurched in my chest, and every instinct screamed at me to run. I whipped my head in his direction, fear coiling tight in my stomach as memories of every slap, every punch, every cruel word came rushing back. I took an involuntary step backward, and his smile widened. He knew he still had power over me.

“It’s good you still know your place,” he sneered.

Anger flared in my chest, pushing past the fear. “You’re a bastard, Dylan.”

His eyes narrowed dangerously. “If I were you, I’d watch my tone. Just because Grayson Blackwood showed you a shred of interest doesn’t mean I can’t still put you in your place.”

him as my mate? What cosmic joke was this? “How did I end up with you?” I muttered more to myself

instinctively raised the bottle I was holding. “Don’t

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Chapter 17

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boris a favor by dissolving the marriage. I slidy’t want to get a divorce and I only

laugh escaped

was I even bothering to argue with him? “I don’t even know why I’m wasting my breath on

I thought he might actually hit me again. “Watch your tone. Ava,” he growled,

down this time. “Leave, Dylan, before Grayson realizes you’re

voice low and threatening. “And if you

“You’ll what?”

through the tension. like a blade. He stepped out of the shadows, his gray eyes locked on Dylan with an intensity that scared

fake smile plastering itself across his features. “Alpha King Grayson,” he bowed, the deference in his voice almost comical. “I was just asking Ava how I might

That’s how you ask for an audience?” His voice was ice, each word

wait for Dylan to answer. Instead, he turned

walking toward him, my heart pounding

with insincerity. “I was just trying to get my point across. Ava can

stubborn.”

me to it. “Not only did you step into my house uninvited. but

on Dylan. His eyes widened, flicking

twisting in anger as he looked at me, “You already jumping from one man to another? What would your parents say, Ava? Have you

the words left his mouth, the atmosphere shifted. I didn’t have time to process it before Grayson moved, swift and controlled, a show of power that made the hairs on the back

like that in my presence?” Grayson’s voice was low, barely above a whisper, but the threat was unmistakable. His grip tightened, and Dylan choked, his face turning red as he

in shock. The display of power was calculated, terrifyingly calm, and it took everything in

able to

come near her again, or step foot into my home, you won’t

fell to the ground, gasping for air. Grayson

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Chapter 17