The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 78

-Grayson’s POV-

Trouble at home?”

Rickon’s voice sliced through my thoughts, laced with that irritating edge of amusement he seemed to always carry. My eyes snapped up from the laptop in front of me, fixing him with an unamused glare.

“Don’t start. I’m not in the mood.”

He raised his hands defensively, though his smirk didn’t falter. To his credit, he didn’t say another word. The room fell into silence, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the occasional creak of his chair as he shifted. It was a strained silence, filled with anticipation for the information we were waiting on. The lead he had dragged me into his office for- blowing up my phone with promises of a breakthrough–had better be worth the disruption.

As much as I hated to admit it, I was running out of options. Ricardo’s death was a sharp reminder of how little control I had over the situation. Carter hadn’t been able to find anything concrete, and if someone powerful enough to take out Ricardo was still out there, I needed to pay attention, even if it meant dealing with Rickon’s antics.

Unfortunately, my mind wasn’t entirely on the case.

Ava’s voice played on a loop in my head. “Kiss me.”

It had been all I could think about since the moment she said it. My wolf growled, demanding I give in, to claim her in ways that terrified me with their intensity. She wasn’t my mate–I knew that–but there was something undeniable between us, something that felt primal and unrelenting

Yesterday night had been hell. I’d forced myself to stay away, but even that hadn’t spared me. Her scent lingered in the air, pulling me in, refusing to let me sleep. By the time dawn broke, thought I’d managed to wrestle back some control. A cold. shower had seemed like the perfect antidote.

Until I stepped out and heard her.

A soft moan, breathy and broken, slipped through the thin walls My name followed.

My wolf snapped to attention, growling with satisfaction as her body shuddered and fell silent. The realization hit me like a truck, and when her eyes opened–wide and horrified–and locked with mine, I did the only thing I could think of.

I walked away.

But the image refused to leave me, replaying over and over in vivid detail, even now,

“I know you indirectly told me to shut up,” Rickon’s voice yanked me out of my spiraling thoughts, “but in case you haven’t noticed, I have a problem staying shut. So I have a question to ask ”

a glare. “The answer

unbothered. That cocky, infuriating charm he wore like armor was the reason I hated dealing with him. Everyone seemed drawn to

or no question,” he replied, leaning back

already wasted twenty minutes of my time. If

as if I’d told him a joke. “That’s what my question is about, actually. Do you have, like, a

anary all the time?”

08:51 Tue, Dec 1,

Chapter 78

if I’d heard

he continued, nodding as though he’d solved a great mystery, “like a mental image or something. Because there’s no logical reason for you to look this pissed off right

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they waste my time with idiotic questions that make me consider cutting their tongues

he cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Before he could muster a reply,

his voice slightly higher than

gaze flickering to me briefly before she turned her attention to Rickon. “Should I send in your six

frowned. “I don’t have any meetings scheduled

she replied hesitantly. “And he

their exchange because I as already ready to leave anyay but

stepped inside, his gaze

head in politeness the second our eyes clashed. “I didn’t realize you’d

up a hand, his expression shifting into something close to panic. “I swear, this wasn’t planned. The meeting was supposed to be tomorrow,” he snapped, shooting a pointed look at his

apologies,” she stammered, quickly excusing

his eyes flickering with unease as they darted between me and Rickon. “If this is a bad time, I can return later,” he said, his voice laced with

can have your meeting. This was a

the screen, and his expression shifted into something slightly smug. “The file just came through,” he announced, then glanced up at me

won’t take long. I promise. I just need to

word made me pause, my movements stilled

through my nose and nodded curtly, retaking my seat. Dylan, doing his best to avoid looking directly at me, shuffled into the room and sank into the chair opposite Rickon, next to me. The subtle scent of his unease drifted in the air, a bitter note my wolf picked

voice smooth and casual, as though he weren’t playing a dangerous game by aligning himself with someone like Dylan. I leaned back in my chair, forcing myself into an appearance