The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 51

-Ava’s POV-,

“No.”

The word echoed in my mind, morphing into a steady resolve as I stood between the two of them. “No,” I repeated, my voice cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife.

“You really don’t want to cause a scene,” Madam Raquel’s voice dripped with a mix of authority and threat. She had a striking resemblance to my mother, both intimidating and cold, a stark reminder of everything I loathed about that world. “I won’t look beyond the Blackwood name. I’ll have you thrown out.”

She reminded me vaguely of my mother, if my mother didn’t consider friends a liability. They would’ve been a perfect match.

I took a step closer, unwavering. “This is my dress. I’m going to walk out of here with it–packed however you package outgoing dresses–and tomorrow, I’m wearing this to my wedding. End of discussion.”

“I think it’s cute that you think you can-” Monica began, her smug tone igniting my fury.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” I snapped, cutting her off, “and I didn’t give you permission to speak to me.”

Turning back to Madam Raquel, I pressed on. “I don’t know exactly what happened here, but I’m guessing your manipulative daughter somehow found out I was here, waited until I found a dress I liked, and pulled this stunt. This is supposed to be one of the best boutiques in the country. If I’d known it was even remotely connected to Monica, I would have gone elsewhere. But I’m here, and I found my dress, and I’m walking out of here with it.”

“Preach,” Isabella cheered from the sidelines, her enthusiasm almost making me smile despite the situation.

Madam Raquel’s icy demeanor hardened further, reflecting the contempt in Monica’s eyes. “While your speech was moving, I told you it was already paid for.”

“Fine,” I shot back, adrenaline pumping through my veins. “I’ll follow you right now. Show me the receipt for this dress. If you can prove it’s paid for, then you and your daughter can have it back. Build a fort with it if you like.”

Madam Raquel’s expression shifted to one of fury, and a silent exchange of glances passed between her and Monica. I sensed the tension, the unspoken communication that came with their twisted family bond. Then, with a disarming smile, Madam Raquel leaned closer. “Fine. You can have the dress. It’s $500,000.”

My mouth dropped open. Five hundred thousand dollars? There was no way I could pay that. Even though Grayson could, it wasn’t like he’d just hand over half a million for a dress. I could see the triumphant smiles growing on both their faces when, suddenly, I felt the air shift.

A familiar, icy voice cut through the room. “If the two of you are going to wallow in your stupidity and pettiness, you could’ve at least made the dress actually expensive.”

$500,000 wasn’t expensive?

now

toward Grayson, who was

gaze fixed on Monica with an intensity I blinked as heads turned that made the room drop ten degrees. I recognized

Raquel stammered, her voice dripping with unease, while Monica took an unsteady step

her. “I told you before–if I’m ever unfortunate enough to be in the same room

you,

don’t speak to

Sat,

Chapter 51

85%

Raquel’s mouth snapped shut. His gaze shifted to Monica. “I warned you to stay away from me and not to test my

“I-”

speaking.” His eyes flashed, and he took a step forward. “Your belongings are outside my estate, where they belong. And if you and Elaine try to pull another stunt like this,

+5

Elaine had handed her apartment over to Monica. I glanced at him, taking in the cold resolve etched across his features. He finally turned to me, and I

should have been furious with him for springing everything on me like this without even talking to me first but all I could manage was a nod, even as heat rushed to my cheeks. The room felt stifling, the air thick with tension. For added emphasis, Isabella fanned

myself. Grayson turned to Eliza. “Pay for the dress, whatever it

Madam Raquel, who had both shrunk backward. “You’re already on my radar. Families dying

he turned

Madam Raquel, trying to save face, muttered, “The dress will be prepared for you.” Then she turned

practically squealed with glee, rushing over. “Oh my goddess, that was hot.

cautiously approached, saying the dress needed

I asked

you here. I didn’t know

He won’t fire you. Let me just change, and you handle the

nodded, and Isabella helped me out of the dress, babbling the whole time. “We need some serious cleansing rituals after this. Bride in her dress before the wedding, bad luck, fake wedding or not–you have

it was hot.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “But $500,000

This place is dripping with bad energy. We have a wedding to get reset for

your bridesmaid dresses for you and