The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 29

-Grayson’s POV-

Little Dove?

What kind of ridiculous nickname was that? And more importantly, why was she so familiar with the uncle of the man who’d abused her? The irritation surged, gripping my chest. I knew exactly who Damien Cross was.

I’d done my research on Dylan who had just walked in when I had deemed him worthy enough to align with and when I first met Ava, I never thought I’d end up involved with people I considered so beneath me. Yet here I was, right in the middle of

it.

Dylan’s eyes locked onto Ava as soon as he walked in, hardening with every step he took toward her. But I had to give her credit–she didn’t cower or flinch. No, she glared right back, full of fire, while the woman glued to his side–the same one he’d cheated on Ava with–smirked like she’d won the damn lottery,

I wrapped my arm around Ava’s waist, pulling her closer. “The entrance is getting a little crowded with desperation. Let’s go inside.”

Damien chackled softly, then quickly covered it with a cough. My dislike for him ticked down a notch. Maybe he wasn’t as insufferable as the rest of them. As I guided Ava away, I didn’t miss the way the mistress’s smile faltered, her confidence crumbling.

Ava groaned beside me, clearly feeling the tension too. “Why is the universe doing this to me?” she muttered, shaking her head.

“Maybe it’s because you agreed to let someone call you Little Dove.”

She laughed. “You have a split personality, you know that? One minute you’re scowling like you want to burn the whole room down backing me up against my parents and it’s a cute nickname. Also stop glaring at people, well except my parents… and Dylan. And Barbie wanna be over there.” Her lips twisted as she glanced toward Crystal. “Other than that, try not to look like you’re planning everyone’s demise.”

A smile tugged at my lips, despite myself. Before I could respond, a waiter approached with a tray of champagne flutes. Ava grabbed two glasses, thanked him politely, and downed both in quick succession.

“Don’t judge me,” she said, looking up at me with a sheepish grin. “With the people in this room? There’s no way I’m getting through the night sober.”

I couldn’t help it–my smile widened. I wasn’t used to smiling this much. Or at all, really. Her expression shifted, like she was momentarily stunned, but I turned away before she could call me out on it.

“Come on,” I cleared my throat. “Let’s find our seats.”

lights hung delicately above, giving the place a soft, romantic glow. It was obvious Rickon had gone overboard with the decorations–likely

she laughed, pulling me toward the seat next

the weight of the room’s stares. It wasn’t subtle. People’s eyes tracked

It was irritating.

on her, “The first time I attended a social event like this after my

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Chapter 29

gone through with it so all this irritating taring

870%

the unspoken message. “What about the ones who

would have been the second round of

of her. “Thank you,”

me to keep talking, but the words slipped out before I could stop them. “You shouldn’t let their opinions get to you. They’re always going to judge. It doesn’t

surprised. Either the temperature in hell was dropping, or my soft spot for Ava Pierce was getting dangerously

focusing on Rickon, who stood in the center of the room. With a charming grin plastered on his face, he launched into a speech, thanking everyone for coming. It was all typical nonsense until he mentioned

with his presence tonight,” Rickon continued, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “And, of course, congratulations to him on his

intake of breath. Before either of us could react, her mother’s voice sliced through the crowd

to hear. “The Pierce family doesn’t act without dignity, and Ava is no

to rip something–or someone–apart. I clenched my fists under the table, forcing myself to stay seated. If I stood now, if I reacted the way I wanted to, her mother wouldn’t be

her pain, her embarrassment. She didn’t deserve this. None of it. And I couldn’t just sit

my voice low and calm despite the storm brewing inside me. “Ignore her. She’s looking for

the verge of breaking, but she held

again.” Her eyes widened, a mixture of shock and something else flashing in them. But instead of speaking, she reached for

a good idea,” she whispered, her

words held me back, tethering me to my seat when every part of me wanted to rise and deal with the situation the