The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 46

-Ava’s POV-

I blinked my eyes open, the sterile white of the hospital room coming into focus. My shoulder throbbed, the pain

making me gasp. reminding me that none of this was a bad dream. I tried to sit up, but the sharp ache shot through my arm,

“The doctor said you shouldn’t sit up just yet.” Grayson’s voice sounded from somewhere to my left. I turned, catching sight of him sitting in a chair, legs crossed, eyes glued to his phone. His expression was unreadable, as if he were made of stone. For a second, I wondered why I hadn’t felt his presence right away; his energy usually filled any room.

I leaned back, fighting the discomfort, and let out a breath, hoping he’d go back to ignoring me. But then he spoke again, his voice steady, almost clinical. “How do you feel?”

“Like I just got shot,” I muttered, the words slipping out before I could stop myself. I saw the corner of his mouth twitch, but his face remained impassive.

His next words came swift and cold. “I’m ending the contract.”

My head snapped up, and I pushed myself up on the bed despite the pain, a strangled curse slipping from my lips. “You’re what?”

Grayson finally looked up, his gaze ice–cold, “I just told you not to sit up. Lie back down before you do more damage.“. I glared at him, ignoring the pain that pulsed through my shoulder. “What do you mean, you’re ending the contract? He opened his mouth, probably to deliver some measured, unfeeling response, but I wasn’t about to give him the chance. “No. I’m not finished. I know you hate interruptions, but I just got shot, so I’m going to talk, and you’re going to listen. You’re not ending this contract. When I came to you and asked for a way out, you said no. So now it’s my turn to say no. End of discussion.”

My tone was sharp, bordering on desperate, but I didn’t care. “And if you bring it up again, I swear I’ll start screaming, and when the doctors rush in, I’ll tell them you’re stressing me out. They’ll kick you out. Don’t think I won’t do it.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he quickly masked it, his gaze going back to that cool, controlled look. “You got kidnapped and shot because of your association with me, and I can’t guarantee this won’t be the worst thing that happens.”

“And if I want to go through worse, that’s my decision to make.”

The words spilled out before I fully understood why I was pushing against him. He was offering me an exit, the very thing I’d once wanted—a way out, with my dignity and, hopefully, my life intact. I would still get the money and I could take it,

my own life. disappear, leave the mess behind and finally prove to my parents that I could handle

But deep down, I knew that wasn’t what I wanted anymore. Since I’d met Grayson, my life had been a rollercoaster, but it was a life I was actually living–not just existing. Before him, I was a ghost in my own world, never taking risks, never feeling anything real. And now, even with all the danger, I felt more alive than ever.

“Ava,” he said, my name slipping from his lips like an order, snapping me back to the present.

I shook my head. “No. The contract will end when the year is up. Like we agreed from the start.”

between us, a standoff of wills. Finally,

released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, thinking it was over. But he continued, his tone flat. “I’ll speak

me another glance as he strode to the door and slammed it shut behind him. I let myself collapse back against the bed, the wave

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almost–romantic getaway. And to make it worse, I hadn’t even gotten to

said two words to me, reverting to his icy, unfeeling self. I’d seen the walls around him before, but now it felt like he added several

me alone to replay every infuriating interaction, every half–spoken word. I spent the night tossing and turning, wrestling with memories and half–formed thoughts

door suddenly burst open, and I flinched, only to see Isabella

little best friend who just

pulling it over my head. Isabella yanked it away almost immediately, her eyes going

shot. Well, kidnapped,

forehead. “Why are you acting like it’s no big deal? Why didn’t you tell

that,” I grumbled. “And I didn’t know I was going to Italy. All

something? I got to know from a message

sighed, “I’m sorry, Bels. Everything happened so fast. I just got back three hours ago. Before that, I was busy, you know, fighting for my life and being

my arm gently. “You’re impossible, you know that. And here I thought you were off having some romantic European

him. And yet…” My voice trailed off, not sure if I wanted

eyes softened, reading between the lines.

I thought I wanted out, but then… I don’t know. It’s like every time I’m around him, I get pulled in

expression shifting to one of deep concern. “Maybe you need to talk about all of this before you two fully cement yourselves as

I air quoted with one hand, “Feelings and his walls went even more up then he told me he

shocked. “Ending the

to avoid more.. complications after he all but yelled that he’d

up. “He

“The all–powerful man who would do anything to protect her. But this isn’t a book, Bels.

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the woman who thinks she’ll break down his wall and have