The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 26

-Grayson’s POV-

I stared at my watch, counting down the seconds until she arrived. Patience wasn’t a problem for me. I was trained to endure to wait but lately, it felt like everything grated on my nerves. I had no room for anything to annoy me even more, and I knew Maria was about to do just that.

The door creaked open. My new PA, too jittery for her own good, peeked in. “Mr. Blackwood, your four o’clock is here.”

I gave a curt nod. She scrambled out without another word, and moment later, Maria strolled in like she owned the place. I took her in–the casual clothes, the air of someone who could break you without so much as lifting a finger. She didn’t need to announce what she was; her presence did that well enough. It was a subtle, unmistakable aura that said, ‘I’m dangerous, but you wouldn’t notice until it’s too late.

“I understand you’re all–powerful, Alpha Grayson,” she said, her eyes narrowing as she crossed the room. “But I don’t appreciate being called like a dog.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. She was always so predictable. “Sit down, Maria.”

She rolled her eyes, flopping into the chair with a dramatic sigh. “What is it this time? You need a spell to track down someone? Melt someone’s brain? Set someone on fire?”

Finally, a full smile broke across my face. “And people say I’m the violent one.” Then I frowned, wiping the grin from my face, “You wouldn’t have to be here at all if you’d answered my calls in the first place.”

She shrugged, unfazed by my annoyance. “Look, Grayson, I know we are friends well let’s just say we tolerate each other- you haven’t ripped out my heart, and I haven’t melted your brain–but I have a life. I’m not your personal on–call witch. So stop blowing up my phone like you can’t function without me.”

She was pushing my patience, but that wasn’t unusual. Maria had been a thorn in my side for years, yet she was one of the few people who knew the truth–one of the few I allowed in, no matter how reluctantly. She’d been the one to tell me all that nonsense about fated mates and the Moon Goddess, and though I didn’t buy into it, she’d earned her place beside me,

“Well?” she pressed, interrupting my thoughts. “Did you find her? Did you finally do the deed? Were you calling me to tell me all about it because you lack actual friends?”

“Cut the jokes, Maria. You’re not funny.”

Her grin widened as she plopped her feet up on my desk–a move that always set me on edge. “Tell me why I’m really here.”

“Take your feet off my desk,” I ordered coldly.

crossing her legs on the chair instead. “So tell

she was also one of the most powerful witches alive. I’d learned that the hard way. The most annoying part was that my wolf liked her because she had proven herself worthy over the years. Apart from Ava, she was the only person aware of the situation

my voice even. “My body… reacted to

up straight, her eyes sharp. “So you

snapped, the word coming out harsher than I intended. “The situation is complicated but I am

someone.”

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21:57 Thu, Dec 12

Chapter 26

heard about my marriage, “She is a doctor and well she

she’s

stop with the mate nonsense?” I snapped, “She is not mine because she already

with him? Why are you marrying her?” Her one was serious

hair, my frustration growing.

you didn’t believe in all that mate stuff, remember? So why

growled, warning her

came to me for answers, right? I did the spell. I told you what it revealed–that you’d only be able to up and it have sex with your fated one. Your body wouldn’t react to anyone else. Now you’re telling

my skin. “This whole ‘fated

gave me a look, her eyes filled with something like pity. “Well, whether you believe it or not, your body does. You’ve never reacted to anyone in

was stirring uneasily, not liking the confusion swirling in my head. Ava

on the edge of it. I shot her a cold look, but she ignored it, reaching for my hand.

too much anger, Grayson,” she whispered softly. “Too much hate. It’s weighing you down. I know you think the world’s out to get you, but not everyone is your enemy. And maybe this whole ‘fated mate‘ thing is just a load of nonsense, but maybe it’s not. I know you well enough to know that this marriage is probably some power play or it’s related to that but this woman, whoever she is, is important enough for you to have reacted to her. Fated mate or not, pursue it. Take a

there–not now,

she said, her tone lighter again. “Look into things for you. That’s what you

the answer was. She slid off the desk with a smile. “What would you ever do

thing to a laugh I’d give her. It was enough to make her grin, though. She walked toward the door, stopping just before she exited. “There’s so much happiness in the world, Grayson. I hope you find a bit of it someday.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “I