The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 53

-Ava’s POV-

I felt him everywhere.

His presence, his touch, his kiss–each seemed to linger in my very core, filling up every hollow part I hadn’t even realized was empty. Kissing wasn’t supposed to feel like this. Kissing someone had never felt like this. For what felt like an eternity, time itself paused. It was like something out of a cheesy movie, but it was real–startlingly, overwhelmingly real. All my instincts were screaming at me to stop, to pull away, to remember this wasn’t supposed to happen, but all of it faded the moment he deepened the kiss. And before I knew it, I was kissing him back.

But of course, he had to open his mouth and ruin it, reminding me that I was just being stupid.

Why had I kissed him back?

Even worse, Isabella hadn’t shut up about it since we got in the car. She chattered away beside me, her excitement bouncing off the walls as we headed to her place. Meanwhile, Eliza followed us in her car, after I grabbed the dress and told her Grayson had given her the rest of the day off. It was a Saturday, after all–she deserved at least that much.

I was trying to focus on Isabella’s enthusiastic rambling, but then something caught my attention. “Wait! Damn it, I didn’t even think about work. I’m supposed to start tomorrow, and considering I haven’t even begun, I doubt they’ll be too understanding if I call in already asking for time off again.”

Isabella shrugged, eyes still on the road. “I’m sure Grayson would—”

“No,” I cut her off, shaking my head. “I’m not asking him to do anything. It’s not a real marriage, anyway. There’s not going to be a honeymoon or anything. I’ll just show up to work as planned. If anyone recognizes me and asks, I’ll make something up about my ‘passion for saving lives‘ outweighing the ‘need to lounge around doing nothing“”

“Which is true,” she pointed out with a grin. “Your zeal actually does outweigh it.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of the entire ridiculous situation pressing down on me. Isabella threw me a quick look. “So, you ready to talk about why you’re sulking after that… rather explosive kiss?”

“There was nothing explosive about it,” I replied, my tone sharper than I intended. “It was for show.”

“Oh,-please.” She rolled her eyes. “That man has probably trained himself to reject anything that feels remotely like

emotion, and even I, as the self–appointed relationship expert, can tell you that the ‘just for show‘ excuse was his little safety net. You don’t kiss someone like that if you don’t feel something

out the window as the scenery passed by. “And when exactly did you become a relationship expert?” I muttered. “You’ve been in,

But that’s not the point,

to admit. Grayson’s confession in the hotel came rushing back, echoing in my mind, and how at the pool, he walls he’d so carefully constructed around himself were there again, towering and impenetrable. I massaged my temples, trying to ignore the nagging realization that this entire mess was becoming far more complicated

and no accidental slip up about this being a fake marriage,” I said. “Eliza’s humab and thanks for letting us stay

But we do need to figure out what’s going on

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Chapter 53

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back, closing my eyes. For years, I’d told myself I didn’t need a counterpart–that not having that part of me was somehow okay. But now, knowing that she might actually

we finally arrived at Isabella’s house, Eliza’s eyes widened as she took it all in. “Wow,

game plan for tomorrow. Hair, makeup, and we still need to find bridesmaid dresses. Don’t worry, we’ll handle it. No need to stress that pretty head of yours.”

rolled my eyes, but a small smile played at the corners of my lips. We made our way inside, and the three of us settled down, Eliza fitting in with us instantly makujg it feel a bit more like an actual trio of friends and for the first time in

plopped onto the couch, patting the space next to her. “Alright, what

leaned forward, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. “I’m really curious. How did you guys even meet? And is this like.….. one of those whirlwind romances? Or“-her eyes sparkled even more-“is it an arranged marriage? Because with someone like

that sounded close enough. “Well… we first met at a party my parents hosted a while ago,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I’d just moved back, and my parents insisted I make an appearance. The place was filled with business types and old family friends. Then, out of nowhere, there he was. He’s hard to miss. Standing in the corner, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but there. It

wide. “And? Was there

but he was practically immune to it so that was it. I ended up with someone else but that didn’t end well and a while back, I was working a late shift at the hospital when he came in and

that coldness,” I added quickly, glancing away

sigh, her face a blend of excitement and disbelief. “I can’t believe it,” she whispered. “Grayson Blackwood

story tugged at my

you then, huh?” Isabella teased with a smirk, elbowing me lightly and I almost shot

came from but now that I had started the

and quickly looked away. It’s not real, Ava It’s