The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 55

I’ve never liked weddings.

The forced smiles, the empty promises, the sense of a fairytale forced into reality when we all knew half of these marriages ended in disaster. As I walked down the aisle, my focus was solely on counting the seconds until this farce was over, so I could turn my attention back to matters of actual importance.

Maria was, of course, causing a stir just by existing, her refusal to dress up marking her as the outsider she was. Not that I cared. The moment the priest announced us as husband and wife, she’d perform the spell, and all of this would be behind

me.

Then, she entered the hall.

Our eyes met, and everything I had rehearsed, every indifferent thought and dismissive word I had planned to shield myself with, seemed to dissolve. I kept my expression controlled, unwilling to give away even the faintest hint of emotion. The plan was for the priest to skip the formalities, just a few quick words and it would be over, but for some reason, the words slipped out before I could stop them.

“Even at your wedding, you look ready to start a fight.”

A familiar, smug voice broke my focus. I sighed, turning to find Carter grinning at me with that irritating glint in his eyes.

“Kreally hoped you wouldn’t make it, Carter.”

He just laughed, raising his glass as if he was genuinely amused by my words. “You always have a way with words, Grayson. Warms my heart, really. Now, where’s that beautiful bride of yours?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Stay away from Ava.”

“Relax, I was only going to say she has my respect for going through with this. Considering you were too stoic to even kiss your own wife on your wedding day.” He raised his glass in a mock toast and backed away before I could reply, leaving me with a sense of irritation that gnawed at me.

This was slightly more tolerable when Ava was here, though it didn’t help that she’d blindsided me with that statement about wanting to not end the contract. But now that Isabella had whisked her away, leaving me to endure endless congratulations from people who either feared or despised me, the entire ordeal had become unbearable. Yet the social niceties continued, people eager to suck up to someone in my position.

“There he is.”

I groaned, turning to see Rickon, holding two glasses and grinning like he’d just won a prize. “Do you want something, Rickon?”

He sighed as if I’d hurt his feelings. “At least save the grouchiness for after the wedding.” He dropped the grin. “Just wanted to say congratulations. The beautiful Ava Pierce–excuse me, Ava Blackwood–is one unlucky lady.”

I fixed him with a glare, and he wisely backed away. Good. Maybe if I kept this up, everyone would leave me alone. Though I’d prefer to find Ava and Maria–I needed to confirm if the spell had worked. There had been a surge of something powerful when Ava and I had kissed, but I couldn’t be certain without Maria’s confirmation. My wolf stirred uneasily, a warning growl echoing in my mind as I sensed a familiar presence.

“Congratulations, Grayson.”

bother turning around, sensing her irritation until she stepped into my line of

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Chapter 55

stunt, will you take me off

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not to come near me, Monica. You’re

and her glare matched mine. “I’m Elaine’s plus–one. I said I was sorry. Do you always have to act so vile? I don’t even know how I almost married

away. “In case it isn’t clear, Monica–you mean nothing in my world. You don’t

across her face before she retreated, and I felt the relief of being left alone, if only for a moment. I quickly began scanning the crowd, searching for either

finally spotted Maria, sitting with an impressive collection of empty glasses surrounding her, her leg propped up on the table, looking as out of place as she possibly could. A group of women nearby stared at her with open disdain, whispering amongst themselves as if their distaste would somehow affect her. I moved toward her, taking a seat next to her, fully aware that she was

hadn’t anticipated, I raised my leg and placed it on

shocked looks, glancing between each other. I added a glare for good measure, sending them scattering like

between surprise and amusement. “First of all, I had no problem with those stuck–up ladies staring. It’s not every day the commoners get to witness

down, settling into a more formal posture. I refuse to

blinked innocently. “What

“Maria.”

it worked. I have to say, though, that was one heavy kiss. And you didn’t

I replied, unable to

my usual tone. “Don’t say a word.

and the Frog reference. I mean, are you malfunctioning? Or did that kiss with Ava wake up some human part of you buried deep down?”

enjoying my discomfort. “Please, continue. I’d

a pointed look.

started. But fine, fine, I’ll save

further. “Stay here,” I reminded her, “and

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