The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 47

-Ava’s POV-

I was convinced that one day in hell, the devil got bored with his demons and decided he needed some fresh, twisted entertainment. So, he made himself a child, and that child was Elaine.

The triumphant smile didn’t leave her face, like she’d just won some prize for showing up unannounced and declaring her move–in. Isabella broke the silence, her voice slicing through the tension. “I hardly know Liam, but I actually pity him for choosing to put himself through the torture of being with you.”

Elaine’s smile fell instantly, and she took a step forward, but I quickly slipped between them. “Grayson asked everyone to behave,” I said firmly, staring her down. “So, you two behave.” Then I turned back to glance at the moving trucks, sighing. “Happy moving day, Elaine. I’d bake you and Monica a cake, but, you know, I can’t properly use one of my hands.” I let the sarcasm drip from my words before grabbing Isabella’s arm and steering her back inside before anything else erupted.

Before she could start in, I beat her to it. “No. Don’t even start. I’m going to take a shower, and then we’re going to get something to eat and go over wedding plans. Nothing about Elaine or Monica. Okay?”

cocking

She folded her arms, cocking an eyebrow. “You’re really going to let her move in here? And the other one, who almost married him and clearly wants him back, moving a few steps away?”

“It’s not my house, Bels. I don’t have a say in who stays or who goes. Just drop it, please.”

She rolled her eyes, throwing her hands up in the air. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I headed to the bathroom, tuning out her protests. I took my time in the shower, carefully peeling off the bandages I’d gotten in Italy. The doctor had given them to me reluctantly after I’d convinced him I was perfectly capable of changing them myself because I was a doctor. That hadn’t stopped Isabella from hovering, trying to get a look at the bullet wound like she was dying to poke around it. After swatting her hand away, I finally got dressed, and she drove us to one of our favorite restaurants in the city.

I just hoped we’d be able to enjoy the place before something happened and this one got burnt down too.

As we settled in and started talking over our plans, Isabella randomly asked, “So, when are you planning on losing your virginity?”

I choked on my food, coughing so loudly that I scrambled for my water, nearly spilling it as I brought it to my lips. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“A lot of things,” she replied with a shrug, undeterred. “But if that jackass you married didn’t do the deed and you never did the deed in college, then… well, you’re still a virgin. So, when are we ripping–sorry, tearing–through?”

I slapped a hand over her mouth, glaring at her. “Seriously, shut up. You have no filter. How did I ever end up with you as my best friend?”

She grinned behind my hand, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Because I’m the only one who made your boring ass interesting. Speaking of ass-”

“If you tell an ass joke and ruin this meal for me, I’ll punch you in the face,” I warned, eyeing her pointedly.

She laughed, throwing her head back and clearly preparing for more snarky remarks when suddenly a commotion erupted near the entrance. It started with a woman’s frantic cries, rising above the restaurant’s soft murmur of conversations and clinking glasses.

stopped as we turned to see a woman clutching a small, limp child in her arms. “Somebody

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moving instinctively toward the chaos. “I’m a doctor,” I said quickly, though I doubted anyone could hear me over the panicked whispers around us. The mother’s eyes widened with desperation as she handed the

set the boy down on a nearby table, scanning him quickly. He was young–maybe six or seven–pale, with his small chest still. His lips had taken on a faint blue hue. The signs were

beside me,

sarcasm gone, replaced by a quiet intensity. “What do you need?” she

“Tell them it’s a pediatric respiratory

checking his airway. No response. I glanced back at his mother, who was now clutching her own arms, horror–struck and visibly holding

he was eating peanuts,” she managed

abdominal thrusts. Come on, come on. My mind zeroed in on the task, blocking out everything else. I couldn’t

thrust, there was a faint cough. His chest heaved weakly, and I could feel the blockage shifting. Relief rushed through me, but I knew it wasn’t over. Carefully, I tilted his head again, giving

rising and falling more regularly. He was breathing, though still a bit labored. I stayed with him, monitoring him closely. “You did great, kiddo.

mother clutched my arm. “Thank you,

over once they arrive.” As the sound of sirens grew closer, Isabella nudged my shoulder lightly, her eyes soft with

at her, exhaling a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “And you just called me Ava so it must be true.“I grinned, “Thanks, Bels. Let’s just hope we can finish a

the adrenaline leave my body as exhaustion took over. The mother hugged her son tightly, whispering her gratitude over and over, while one of the paramedics

sank back into my seat, me,

a

me. Isabella slid back into her chair across

started, mischief glinting in her eyes

as if it had

up inside. I was suddenly excited to get back

Saving lives.

about how you were a total badass, right?” Her voice broke through my thoughts, and I shrugged. “Maybe. You know what? Yes, I was pretty badass,

my eyes drifted, almost unconsciously, to

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her. When our eyes locked, she