The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

09:28 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 63

-Ava’s POV

Screw him.

I repeated the words over and over, stomping around my room with a mixture of anger and frustration. It wasn’t even my room–no, this was his territory. Every piece of furniture, every glinting object, and all the suffocatingly lavish decor was his I grabbed whatever I could find, stuffing it into a pile of suitcase I’d dragged out from the back of the closet.

I wondered why he had bought them. Did he think we would have to travel a lot or did he plan for this moment? Probably the latter. Nothing about Grayson seemed accidental; he had aruncanny knack for control and forethought, a quality that I had actually felt was enticing.

Now, it was smothering

The clothes, the jewelry, all of it–it wasn’t mine. But I was taking it anyway. Consider it compensation for the time he’d stolen, the feelings I hadn’t meant to have, and the heartache he clearly didn’t care about. This was my payment, a small price for the emotional wreckage he’d left me in..

Each item l’packed felt like a stab, like I was closing the book on something I shouldn’t have even opened in the first place. I knew, from the very beginning, what he was: cold, calculating, untouchable. Yet somehow, I’d allowed myself to believe I could crack through that glacial exterior even though I told myself I didn’t.

What a fool I’d been.

After what felt like hours, I finally finished packing. Four heavy suitcases lined up by the door, each one bearing the weight of memories I couldn’t wait to leave behind. I dragged them down the hallway, every step echoing in the oppressive silence, and just as I rounded the corner, I came face–to–face with the last person I wanted to sec

Elaine.

Her gaze dropped to my suitcases, then back to my face, but for once, she didn’t smirk or look smug or say I told you to count your days because you won’t last. She just stared, her expression unreadable, before saying softly, “You’re leaving

My anger flared up again, and the words came out harsher than intended. “I’m sure you’re thrilled. Feel free to pop open some champagne.”

she turned and walked away. No snide remarks, no gloating. Just.. silence. For a second, I felt a pang of something–Relief?-but I shoved it aside and focused on the task

the stairs, I finally made it outside. I was about to call a cab when one of Grayson’s men appeared, striding toward me with that intimidating presence they all seemed to share. It was the same one who had forced

he gave a slight bow of respect. “Luna, the Alpha King has ordered me

sent his lackey, as if this was just another business transaction to him. Fine. It saved

mind was anywhere but in that car. Before I knew it, we were there. He helped

know it’s not my place, but..“he paused, searching for the right words. “Alpha Grayson has had

Chapter of

when it doesite, things get really bad I know you’ve only been here for two weeks but the moment you cane, that aura started dimishing I’m not saying it’s not there tout r’s move like a litle spark now and it makes us feel better because we aren’t constantly waiting for the rather shoe to drop and the explorato come.” He bowed his

standing there, watching the dust settle from his

two months

a text, not even a passing message. Nothing It was like I’d never existed in his world. I’d moved in with bubella, who had welcomed me with open arms, though she threatened

rolled my eyes at her. “Please don’t quit your job

laughing lightly, “Good, because I didn’t really want to. The

there was an ache couldn’t shake. I tried not to ask about him, but it was like he lingered everywhere. Every time the phone rang, my heart leapt, only to plummet when it wasn’t him. In the quiet moments, when it was just me and my thoughts, bitterness would

yet and I knew the moments thy parents did, I would never hear the end of it. I could almost hear that arrogant and triumphant voice saying “I told you you would come crawling back to

didn’t and I

actually loved. Maybe it was fate’s way of compensating, but Mikayla’s mother had started responding to treatment. Her little face lit up when I told

down on the couch and lifted my legs to rest on her laplaven’t seen you smile in weeks,” she murmured. “I

gaze. She didn’t push, though. We sat in silence until she finally broke it. “I’m worried about you, Lilian. You’re barely eating, pulling extra shifts, looking like a ghost and you won’t even talk about ways to bring out

shrugged, keeping my tone flat. “What’s the point? I’ve always been latent. Why bother pretending

at me, pained.

I’m fine, Bels. Really”

but her voice held a note of disbelief. “But you’ve been holed up in this apartment for weeks, going to work and