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

on Monica with an intensity I blinked as heads turned that made the room drop ten degrees. I recognized the look because I had seen in on Isabella’s face several times. He was planning her

voice dripping with unease, while

her. “I told you before–if I’m ever

you,

don’t speak to

Sat,

Chapter 51

85%

warned you to stay

“I-”

estate, where they belong. And if you and Elaine try to pull another stunt

+5

Monica. I glanced at him, taking in the cold resolve etched across

even talking to me first but all I could manage was a nod, even as heat rushed to

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

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

that, he

stomping away, and Madam Raquel, trying to save face,

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

while the attendant cautiously approached, saying the dress needed to be packed. Eliza glanced at me, clearly

I

I brought you here.

He won’t fire you. Let me

whole time. “We need some serious cleansing rituals after this. Bride in her dress before the wedding, bad luck,

hot.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “But

have a whole other concept of expensive.’ Now, let’s get this off. This place is dripping

bridesmaid dresses for you and Eliza?”