The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 76

-Ava’s POV

The entire world stilled. I didn’t move, and I was sure he wasn’t weathing either. His intense, gray eyes locked on mine, unblinking, and for a single, electrifying moment, I thought he was actually going to do it.

But then, just like that, the moment shattered. He turned away, “Go to sleep, Ava.”

This time, there was a finality in his tone that cut deeper than I wanted to admit. It silenced me, making it clear that no amount of pushing would break the wall he’d just reinforced. I felt my chest deflate, and a quiet ache settled where hope had briefly sparked

Just when I thought we’d made progress, we were back to square one. Three steps forward, and then an unyielding wall slammed down in my face.

The silence grew heavy, so thick it felt alive, pressing down on me. The words slipped out before I could stop them. “Is this how it’s always going to be?” My voice trembled, more vulnerable than I wanted it to be. “You let me think I’m finally breaking through, that you’re going to let me in, and then I realize. you don’t have any intention of tearing down your walls, do you?”

I wasn’t expecting an answer, and he didn’t give me one. His silence, though, was louder than any words he could have spoken.

I turned to the other side of the bed, counting the seconds, trying to focus on anything other than the unbearable weight of his presence. The man lying beside me felt miles away, unreachable in every way that mattered.

My heart clenched as I replayed his every move, every word, dissecting them for some hidden meaning. Had I misread him? Was I foolish to believe there could ever be more than this endless push and pull

I forced my eyes shut, willing sleep to take me. But the darkness behind my eyelids wasn’t peaceful. It was filled with the same tension that lingered in the air, a silent reminder that no matter how much I wanted to close the distance between us, he was determined to keep it intact.

Just as sleep began to pull me under, his voice broke through the silence, quiet but sharp. “You don’t understand.”

My eyes snapped open, my heart hammering in my chest. I didn’t dare turn to look at him, afraid that if I moved, the fragile thread of his words would break. Then help me understand,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He let out a long, measured sigh. “It’s better this way.”

I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Better for who, Grayson? Because it sure as hell isn’t better for me.”

His silence stretched again, and I could feel the weight of his stare even though I wasn’t looking at him. I turned my head slightly, catching a glimpse of his profile in the faint moonlight. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, but there was something in his eyes–something raw and unguarded, just for fleeting second, before the coldness returned.

“It’s better for you too,” he said finally, his voice quieter this time, almost as if he were trying to convince himself as much as

me.

bitter laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. “If you

back to him, my frustration and hurt mingling in a way that made my chest ache. I felt foolish for trying,

eyes, trying to match his rhythm, but it was impossible. Every part of me was too aware

Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 76

storm of emotions he stirred

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anymore so I pushed myself off the bed. Without a word, I stormed toward the door, needing distance, needing space to breathe. But the moment I opened it

around, my back hitting the door with a soft thud as it slamuned slut.

he kissed

hesitant. His lips crushed against mine with a desperation that stole the air from my lungs, and suddenly,

against mine. My hands instinctively gripped his shoulders, clinging to him as if I might fall. The hardness of his chest against mine was maddening, but it was nothing compared to the unmistakable proof of

coherent thought vanished. All I could focus on was the way he

both gasping for air, our breaths mingling in the small space between us. My cheeks burned as

never.. I’ve never done

barely audible.

silence. Then, his hand gently cupped my jaw, turning my face back

and unyielding, but there was something softer beneath the surface–something raw and unspor

voice low and rough, as if the words cost

he closed the distance again, capturing my lips with the same intensity as before. But this time, there was something different–something deeper, as though this kiss wasn’t just about desire but about everything

for months. His tongue slid against mine in a slow dance, drawing me in even closer. I could feel the heat radiating off his skin, as well as something else… something primal. He placed a hand on either side of

me and a growl escaped his throat, breaking the spell briefly but before I knew it, his hands came to my shirt, pulling at it roughly. It slid over my head easily, revealing

inside me. He smirked slightly, breaking the tension.

gaze wandered across every inch of me. After what seemed like forever, he leaned forward, planting gentle kisses along my

it lightly before taking it fully into his mouth. Another jolt of pleasure shot through me, making me gasp. His hand lifted my other breast, squeezing

involuntarily, offering my flesh up for his exploration My breathing became labored, struggling to

his movements. Finally he dropped to his knees as there was