The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 49

-Grayson’s POV-

The past was something I’d buried years ago. Or at least, I thought I had. Whenever it started clawing its way back to the surface, I’d call on Maria to suppress the memories with her magic. It never lasted, though. No matter what she did, they crept back.

Like shadows that followed me wherever I went.

As soon as we got back from Italy, I went straight to Maria’s. Calling her would’ve been pointless–she’d take her sweet time getting back to me, and right now, I needed the memories gone. I needed my head clear, especially if I was going to be anywhere near Ava. Whatever this emotion was… wherever it was coming from, I had to shut it down.

“You know you don’t have to frown all the time,” Maria’s voice broke through my thoughts as she set a steaming cup of tea in front of me, eyes flicking up in that knowing, annoyed way of hers.

I frowned harder. “And you don’t have to live in a shack that barely fits one person, let alone your ego.”

She rolled her eyes, settling herself on a chair that looked like it had barely survived the last century. “You know, I like where I live, Grayson. It’s small, it’s mine, and I don’t have to answer to anyone in it. I know you think I’m practically begging to be dragged into the 21st century, but I don’t need your real estate advice.” She leaned forward, voice more serious. “Now, why don’t we focus on why you’re here.”

I leaned back, exhaling heavily. “The spell’s wearing off. I’m starting to remember.”

A flicker of sympathy crossed her face before she quickly pushed it aside. Maria knew better than to let pity show around me. She mirrored my sigh, crossing her arms. “I warned you, Gray. The more I surpress the memories, the more bad the eventual consequences will be.”

“And I’ve told you,” I snapped, jaw clenching. “I’ll handle it when it comes.”

Maria flinched, a subtle movement, but my wolf noticed, growling within. I closed my eyes briefly, reigning him back. “I didn’t mean to snap. It’s not you I’m mad at.”

“I know,” she said gently, her tone dropping. “You’re mad at yourself, and it’s leaking into everything. Your aura’s practically pulsing around this whole room.” She eyed me with a hint of suspicion. “Does this…. agitation have anything to do with her?

“Yes.”

The word left my mouth before I could stop it, and from the way her eyebrows shot up, she hadn’t expected it either. Silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable, and before I could reel it back in, more words came pouring out.

“I took her to Italy, and-”

“Oh, romantic getaway?” Maria teased with a grin.

I shot her a glare, and her smirk quickly disappeared.

“As I was saying… I took her to Italy. She got kidnapped and shot at. Ricardo was behind the kidnapping, but the shot wasn’t his doing.”

Maria studied me, tilting her head slightly. “So, let me guess. You’re already planning revenge, but you won’t kill him.”

eyebrow, surprised at her

You have plenty of enemies, but Ricardô is the only one

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Sat, Dec 14

Chapter 49

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eyes. Apparently, everyone but

she alright?” Maria’s voice

muttered. “But… she’s latent. There’s no wolf in her to protect

worried about her. She’s vulnerable, and if your enemies come after her again and

me so easily irked me, but I stayed silent.

what she was about to say. “You care about a woman. You, Grayson,

push it,” I

that problem. There’s a way I could link your essence

it,” I

amusement. “Isn’t that something you’d want to

kept my face blank.

it would make you seem like you

will do the spell but here is the deal. You only get one spell from me so you have to choose and I hope

Just do the linking spell. I’ll find another witch to suppress the

finally accepted that some things never change. “I’ll need a personal item

charm bracelet. I tossed it to

eyes sparkled with mischief, but she said nothing, only giving a small smile as she disappeared

minutes later, she returned, arms full of herbs, a small silver bowl, and

around us, and murmuring words under her breath. The air thickened, charged with a strange, electric energy. Maria placed the bracelet in the silver bowl, pouring the

it.

hurt,” she said, meeting

nodded, unflinching. Pain was nothing

falling in a rhythm that seemed to reverberate through my bones. The liquid in the bowl started to bubble, releasing a dark, smoky

09:47 Sat, Dec 14

Chapter 49

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