The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 66

-Grayson’s POV-

A number of rules by Isabella. I couldn’t be my usual self, so that neant no ordering her around, no glaring, not commanding. In other words, I had to suppress everything I’d trained myself to embody as an Icy King. Every instinct to control, every sharp edge I’d cultivated over the years, all of it had to be locked away.

And it was taking everything in me to hold back.

Isabella had even given me a list of “conversation starters.” The kind that wouldn’t send someone fleeing in the opposite direction. And unfortunately, I’d already managed to tick Ava off by the second one. I wondered what would’ve happened if I’d actually gotten to “civil rights

I was pissed off and trying my best not to tell her to watch her tone because I deserved the anger. I reminded myself why I was here. The mantra Isabella drilled into me echoed in my mind: I can be nice. I can not look like I want to rip someone’s

that. head off. I can… avoid ripping anyone’s head off. People’s feelings are valid, and I can respect

It sounded ridiculous, but I repeated it to myself again. This was all my fault, after all, and I had no choice but to take it. So I forced myself to focus. To breathe.

The plan was simple, or so I thought. I’d tell her I didn’t want the divorce. Then, hand her the note I’d painstakingly written an apology because, for the life of me, I couldn’t bring myself to say the words out loud. My father’s influence still ran too deep in me: I could barely form the word sorry, let alone say it with conviction. But Ava had left before I had the chance. One minute she was there, and the next, she was gone.

So I did the only thing I could. I followed her, putting myself in this ridiculous, humiliating situation. And now, of all things, we’d just discovered that Rickon and Isabella were… mates.

Ava jumped up the next seconds with so much force that it had the two of them whipping their heads in our direction. Her eyes darted between Rickon and Isabella, piercing through them with accusations.

“You found your mate and you didn’t tell me?” Her voice trembled, mixed with betrayal.

1 sighed, standing up and dusting myself off. Guess we weren’t cavesdropping anymore. Subtlety was officially out the window.

Isabella’s eyes widened as she took a tentative step toward Ava. Lilian, I-

“No.” Ava took a step back, shaking her head, pain flashing in her gaze. “I can’t believe you’d find out something this important and not tell me.”

“Thank you, Ava, for stating just how important this is.” Rickon chimed in with the worst timing imaginable.

Both women turned and glared daggers at him, and for a split second, I almost pitied him. He really needed to learn when to shut up.

“I was going to tell you, but-”

“But what?” Ava cut her off, voice rising with each word. “When did this even happen?”

week ago.” Isabella’s words came out in a rush, as if spilling them could somehow alleviate the tension. “I swear, I was going to tell you… after I figured out how to

it?” Rickon’s tone sharpened, and he took a step forward, annoyance breaking through his otherwise calm demeanor and the two

so much going on, Lilian,” Isabella explained, eyes pleading. “I didn’t even mean for it

09:29 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 66

became

was

brows furrowed deeper. “You got fired and didn’t tell

though sensing

going extremely

punched him. And instead of doing something

her defiance, though I’d never understand why people cared so much about each other’s drama. If I had

wouldn’t care if they got fired or found their

apparently, that wasn’t the

now, Bels. We’re supposed to be best friends. Where have you even been going this past week when you

taking

unison. “Can’t you see we’re talking? If you interrupt us one more time,

I took

didn’t want to add to your stress. I should have told

and told

had to drag

eyes on me and glared, “I help you

you

It’s not

nice. I can not look like I want to rip someone’s head off. I can

I said, voice low, deadly. “You’re causing a scene in the middle of the parking lot, and people are starting

flickering with a glint of defiance. But he looked at Isabella, then nodded, though

into his

watching me, eyes burning with frustration. “Why are the two of you still standing here?” I demanded,

they couldn’t ignore. Ava

her. “Where are

stop, her tone sharp and final. “I’m taking a

09:29 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 66