The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 81

-Ava’s POV-

I didn’t even realize when the phone slipped from my hand, the world around me coming to a standstill. Grayson’s eyes were already on me but before he could say a word, Darien’s voice crackled through the car, “Little dove, are you there? He survived the attack. Your father is alive.

My heart froze mid–beat. “What?” I choked out, fumbling to bring the phone closer to my ear.

Darien sighed, his usual humor tinged with weariness. “I’m sorry I should have been clearer. Your father was attacked, and we’re certain it’s the same person targeting Alphas. But Luther stronger than I gave him credit for.” He paused, and I could almost hear the faint smirk in his voice “He’s alive. I was just calling to let you know. I figured the Pierces, with all their pride, wouldn’t bother.”

you for calling

As I prepared to hang up. Darien spoke again. “Ava, I know your father can be… difficult. But I’ve known him long enough to say this: he’d appreciate hearing from you, even if his pride won’t let him admit it.”

Relief crashed over me like a wave, and I sagged against the seat. Thank you, Uncle Darien. Really, thank

I swallowed hard. My father’s pride was infamous, a fortress of stubbornness that often turned even the simplest acts of kindness into battles. Still, I found myself asking. “Where is he?”

“The compound,” Darien replied. “That’s where the attack happened. He’s still there, but I heard he managed to strike one of the attackers down. The man’s with him now.”

Before I could respond, the car swerved slightly. I turned to Grayson, whose jaw was tight, his eyes fixed on the road. His werewolf hearing meant he’d caught every word. I didn’t even need to ask what he was doing when he announced. “We’re going to your father’s compound. Now”

1 sighed, not bothering to argue. Grayson was a force of nature, and when he made up his mind, there was no stopping him. “Fine,” I muttered. “But, for the love of all things holy, please don’t pick a fight with him”

He surprised me with a curt nod. “I’ll try. But your father had beer not push me.”

We drove in tense silence, the air between us thick with unspoken words. When we neared the compound, I leaned toward him. “We’re almost there. Just… please keep calm.”

Grayson didn’t respond, his grip on the steering wheel tightening

At the gates, the first thing that could possibly go wrong did. Two of my father’s men, Nathan and Victor, stepped forward. They were familiar faces, men I’d grown fond of over the years, but they looked less than welcoming-

Nathan’s stern expression softened the moment he saw me. “HiAva,” he greeted warmly before his gaze shifted to Grayson, hardening into steel. “We can’t let you in.”

Grayson bristled beside me, his energy shifting from tense to outright menacing. “What?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

“They have direct orders,” I interjected quickly, placing a calming hand on his arm. His fiery gaze dropped to where my fingers rested, then back to my face, I smiled gently, silently pleading for patience. “Let me handle this.”

in frustration. I stepped out of the car and approached Nathan

curved into a lopsided smile. “You know your smile is my kryptonite, Ava.”

head. “Come on, Nathan You know me. You know I wouldn’t be here if it

Chapter 81

important.”

94%E

will have our heads if we

do this, Ava.”

you think I deserve to check on him? You’ve known me

I

Victor, his resolve wavering. Finally, he cursed under his breath. “Fine. But

breathed, gratitude washing over me as they begrudgingly opened the gates. I turned and climbed back into the car,

But Grayson didn’t move.

him, confused.

hands gripped the steering wheel, but his glare was fixed firmly on Nathan and Victor, who

laugh bubbling our before I could stop it. They’re in their mid–forties, Grayson. Both

doesn’t mean they should flirt with you,” he snapped, his voice low and growly. “Next time,

my sides ached. “Grayson, are you jealous? Of

drive,” I teased, resting my hand on his. “And for the record, I think it’s

car into gear and for all his growling and posturing, there was something undeniably sweet about his possessiveness, and I

froze. The moment the decision left my hands, I realized what I had done. I immediately turned, ready to fix my mistake, but before I could reach for the door to close it, I felt Grayson’s was already walking in so I followed

I opened my mouth to ask one of the omegas where he might be,

you doing

her posture rigid, her usual polished appearance replaced

“Hi-

no longer a Pierce do you not understand? You should never have been allowed

Grayson, sharp and unwavering. “And you? You are not

house

that was bubbling inside of me threatened to boil ove but I noticed the subtle shift in Grayson. His

Chapter 81

Je, Dec

knew that if I didn’t intervene, he was about to snap. I reached out and gently took his hand, hoping to ground

He let me hold his hand, and I felt his tension slowly dissipate, though I knew