The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 25

-Ava’s POV-

The room went still.

Elaine froze for a moment, probably surprised that Liam wasn’t falling for her little performance. Monica stiffened beside her, clearly unsure of what to do now that things weren’t going their way. Even Isabella’s fists unclenched slightly, though her eyes still flashed with anger. As for me? My heart was pounding, but I nodded without a word, knowing better than to argue.

Without another word, he turned and started walking toward Grayson’s study, and we followed, the tension thick in the air.

The next thing I knew, the four of us were seated in Grayson’s study. The room was thick with tension, all of us glaring at one another but too cautious to say anything. Liam stood off to the side, arms crossed, with a glare that could freeze fire.

Isabella, always unable to keep quiet, pinched my arm and leaned in closer to whisper, “Feels like we’re in high school, getting called to the principal’s office.”

I glanced at her and whispered back, “I was never called to the principal’s office. That was always you, Bels. And stop pinching me.”

She snorted, her grin mischievous. “Oh, I remember. You used to be such a bore. But hey, if it’s any consolation, I’m really proud of you.” She let out a small laugh, making me chuckle too

Of course, that was the exact moment everyone turned to look at us, just as the door swung open, and in walked Grayson. Everything fell into a cold, suffocating silence. He didn’t say a word. Just moved with an intimidating calm to his desk, sat down, and let his gaze slowly sweep over the room. He took in everything–the bruises on our faces, the tension in the air- without so much as a flicker of emotion. The silence stretched, and I felt every second drag painfully slow. It felt like an eternity before he finally spoke.

“Isabella and Monica. Leave.”

Both Isabella and Monica opened their mouths to protest simultaneously, but Grayson cut them off with a single look. His voice dropped, colder, more threatening. “Do not make me repeat myself.”

They both stood up in unison, their expressions ranging from shocked to furious. Isabella squeezed my hand, her voice low as she whispered, “Act dumb and fake cry. It always works.” Then she walked out with a smug smile, while Monica shot Grayson a death glare before storming off. The door shut behind them, and the silence settled back into the room like a heavy blanket.

Liam moved to stand in the corner, his frown deepening. Grayson’s attention turned fully to me, his sharp eyes boring into mine. “How old are you?”

That wasn’t the question I was expecting. I blinked, then answered quietly, “Twenty–four.”

He shifted his gaze to Elaine. “And you?”

“Twenty–five.” She muttered, her eyes now glued to her hands.

a shiver down my spine, “why you are acting like children,” His words were slow, deliberate, and each one landed with the weight of a hammer. “I gave you an apartment in this estate, Elaine, and I have granted you permission to come here as you wish. You and Ava will be staying here from now on, which means you will cross paths. Often. I will not tolerate

right. This did feel

his tone cold and final. “I do not want Monica in my house.

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Chapter 25

let it be in your apartment. And you,” he turned to me, “I told you to keep your friend under control. I have no business with

gaze felt like ice, freezing me in place, but I forced myself to

cousin, and you, Ava, are to be my wife.” The word ‘wife‘ landed like a stone in the pit of my stomach, heavy and suffocating. “It is your responsibility to act with dignity, and that extends to whoever you

managed to reply, my voice barely above a

her friend’s fault,” Elaine spät, not even pretending to hold back. “She attacked me first, then Ava went after Monica! I don’t see why I’m getting

saw Grayson’s jaw tighten, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he fixed his gaze on her. “What did I just say about acting like a child?” His voice was low

starting. Her chin wobbled, and her eyes filled with tears. She sniffed, her

almost rolled my eyes. I had never seen anything more fake in my life, but I kept my face neutral. I could feel Grayson’s gaze on me again, sharp and penetrating,

Grayson continued, his voice steady but filled with warning, “and your friend is involved, she will be banned from my estate. Permanently. Do

my tone

the intensity of his gaze deep in my chest. His presence in the room was overwhelming, like he could suffocate us with his silence alone. There was no warmth in his eyes, no softening. He was a man who expected control, obedience. Every word out of his mouth was an

but she dared not speak again. For once, I think she understood she was teetering on the edge of pushing Grayson too

always, but I could see

with it. Elaine glared at him before she bolted up first, her heels clicking against the floor as she practically ran for the door. I took a deep breath and stood, my legs feeling heavy beneath me. The weight of the whole situation was suffocating, and part of me just wanted to escape the

out, Grayson’s voice cut through the air again, stopping me dead in my

“Ava.”

door handle. Slowly, I turned back around to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. He hadn’t moved from his seat, but his eyes were locked onto mine, sharp

his tone commanding but with

at me but she didn’t dare say anything. She slipped out of the room, the door closing softly behind her, and

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the weight of both their stares on me. My palms were sweating, and I clenched my fists to hide it. Whatever this was,

him, his expression unreadable. “You’ve been quiet this entire time,” he said, his voice deceptively soft. “I find that