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

chest ache. I felt foolish for trying, foolish for hoping. But as the silence stretched on, I

match his rhythm, but it was impossible. Every part of me was too

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Chapter 76

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so I pushed myself off the bed. Without a word, I

back hitting the door with a soft thud as

he kissed

with a desperation that

his shoulders, clinging to him as if I might fall. The hardness of his chest against mine was

thought vanished. All I could focus on was the way he consumed me, the way he left no part of me untouched by

pulled back, we were both gasping for air, our breaths mingling in the small space

never.. I’ve never done this before,” I whispered, my

barely audible.

cupped my jaw, turning my face back to his. His eyes

something softer beneath the

he said, his voice low and rough, as if the words

same intensity as before. But this time,

igniting a fire within me that had been smoldering 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

it, his hands came to my shirt, pulling at it roughly. It slid over my head easily, revealing the plain white bra underneath. As soon as it was free, he discarded it quickly. My eyes darted to his, noticing

slightly, breaking the tension. He

completely nude upwards before him. He paused for a moment, drinking in the sight of me I couldn’t help but blush as his gaze wandered across every inch of

jolt of pleasure shot through me, making me gasp. His hand lifted my other breast, squeezing its softness lovingly while sucking hard on my

to give equal attention to my other breast. My back arched involuntarily, offering my flesh up for his exploration My breathing became labored, struggling to keep pace with his ministrations. Sensing my need,

hair, guiding his movements. Finally he dropped to his