The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 71

-Ava’s POV-

“Are you nervous?” Maria asked, placing a few materials on the table in front of her with a calm, practiced ease.

I hesitated, my eyes on her hands as she worked. “I don’t know, replied finally, trying to keep my voice steady. “I don’t know if I’m nervous or not. I’m just..trying not to get my hopesp, I guess. I’ve lived without my wolf all my life, and even though it’s been hard–really hard sometimes–I’ve learned to live with it. I don’t want to let myself hope too much only to be disappointed.”

Maria nodded, an understanding glint in her eyes as she arranged the items carefully. The silence stretched for a moment, broken only by the sound of her preparations. I glanced toward the door where Grayson had stepped out to take a call. I knew he’d been rattled by that message he’d received–it was written all over his face even though he tried to mask it.

A chill ran down my spine. Whoever was behind the deaths was just killing randomly; they were going after Alphas. And if this was about power–well, then the one with the greatest power of all–the Alpha King–was at risk. Grayson was a potential target. And if I let myself think too hard, I’d realize my father was, too. A powerful Alpha in his own right, he might very well be caught in the crosshairs.

I forced myself to shove the thought away, willing myself to focus on what was in front of me. Maria had nearly finished setting up when she straightened, looking up with a steady, determined gaze “Alright,” she said, “I’m ready to cast the spell”

I swallowed, feeling a mixture of excitement and dread twist in my stomach. “What do I do?”

“Give me your hand,” she said softly.

I held out my hand, and she took it, her fingers warm and steady against mine as she closed her eyes. Her lips began to move in a low murmur, words slipping out in a language I didn’t understand. The air around us seemed to hum, thickening as if charged with invisible energy. My skin tingled, and a strange sensation started to build inside me–warm, buzzing, as though something ancient was stirring just beneath the surface

For a few moments, I let myself hope, feeling the magic work its way through me. My pulse quickened, and I thought maybe, just maybe, it was going to happen. I could almost feel it like something was reaching out, trying to break through

Then…nothing.

The warmth faded. The tingling stopped. I was left in silence, feeling empty and almost hollow.

her brow furrowed. “Something’s blocking the

felt a knot of frustration twist inside me. “You mean someone

Something inside you is blocking it The magic can’t even pass through. What did it feel like the first

her the first time well, it was like..she warthiere in my head. And then I heard her say, ‘Find me, Ava.‘ It felt so close, and then it was

tapping lightly on the table. “I think I might have gone about thi the wrong way. The spell isn’t working because we’re trying to force her out. But she wants you to come to her. You heard her voice, so she’s somewhere deep in

processing what

is,” she nodded, eyes scanning my face. “I can put you into a deep enough trance, one that could let you cross into

08:50 Tue, Dec

Chapter 71

door where Grayson had disappeared. “But this kind of spell…it’s not entirely safe. We should probably talk

cut in quickly, my voice stronger than I’d expected. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but if Grayson knows there’s even the slightest bit of danger, he’ll never agree to it.

me closely, her expression torn for a moment before she nodded in understanding. “Alright. I’ll need to prepare a few more things. Let’s head to the back–there’s

hung low, casting shadows across the ground. She drew a circle in the dirt with a chalk, scattering powders and herbs around it, her movements swift and precise. She placed

she finished, she gestured toward the center. “Lie down inside the circle,”

The reality of what I was about to do started to sink in, and a chill ran through me. I was about

about this?” Maria

breath, I nodded. “If I don’t want Grayson to stop this, then we need to start before he realizes

gave a slight smile, but her expression was serious as she knelt beside me, beginning to chant again. I lay back on the cool ground, staring up at the sky as the low murmur of her words washed over me. Her voice grew stronger, the language dark and rhythmic, almost hypnotic. I closed my eyes, feeling a heaviness settle over me, like a

was thick with energy. My breathing slowed, and I could feel my heartbeat steadying, growing softer and softer until I was barely aware of it at all.

the world around me began to blur and fade, dissolving into shadows. My heartbeat echoed in my ears, growing louder agains the stillness, until it felt as though it was the only sound in existence. Then, the silence came–so deep, so complete, it

doing this and I didn’t want to worry you but I agree with you, all possibilities should be explored. This spell–it will put you in a state of