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

forward, annoyance breaking through his otherwise

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

09:29 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 66

became

getting fired, and I was drinking, and then he

deeper. “You got

sensing Ava’s

going extremely

to get.. handsy, so I punched him. And instead of doing something about it, they asked me topologize. So I punched the head of

There was something undeniably satisfying about her defiance, though I’d never

or found their mate or not and not tell

wasn’t the

to

her wiry she isn’t taking my calls either,” Rickon

women whirled on him, snapping in unison. “Can’t you see we’re talking? If you interrupt

Rickon and I

didn’t want to add to your stress.

and told

she just had to drag me

glared, “I help you and in repayment you spy

you

It’s not

I want to rip someone’s head off. I can accept people’s feelings. It wasn’t working. Not anymore. I was done

parking lot, and people are starting to stare.” 1 shifted my gaze to Rickon. “You should give her space if she wants it.

flickering with a glint of defiance. But he looked at Isabella, then nodded, though reluctantly. “This conversation isn’t over. And for the

on his heel, got into his car, and drove off,

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

seeped into my words, an authority they couldn’t ignore. Ava glared at

are you going? We

and final. “I’m taking a

09:29 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 66