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.”

jaw ticking in frustration. I stepped out

curved into a lopsided smile. “You know your

shaking my head. “Come on, Nathan You know me. You know I wouldn’t be

Chapter 81

important.”

94%E

amused. “Your father will have our heads

do this, Ava.”

He was attacked. Don’t you think I deserve to check on him? You’ve

I

with Victor, his resolve wavering. Finally, he cursed under his

begrudgingly opened the gates. I turned and climbed

But Grayson didn’t move.

at him, confused.

his glare was fixed firmly on Nathan and Victor, who were now standing to the side. His

before I could stop it. They’re in their mid–forties, Grayson. Both married. Both have

mean they should flirt with you,” he snapped, his voice low and growly. “Next

hard enough that my sides ached. “Grayson, are you jealous? Of Nathan

his neck betrayed him. “Just drive,”

he finally shifted the car into gear and for all his growling and posturing, there was something undeniably sweet about his possessiveness, and I couldn’t

of the car and without even thinking, I grabbed the handle and pulled it open, stepping inside the compound, without knocking. As the door creaked behind me, 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

want to look like a fool wandering the halls. As I opened my mouth to ask one of the omegas where he might be, I

you

Both Grayson and I turned at the same time, and there she was–my mother. She stepped into the hallway, her posture rigid, her usual polished appearance replaced by a more disheveled look. There was no time

“Hi-

being no longer a Pierce

Grayson, sharp and unwavering. “And you? You

house

threatened to boil ove but I noticed the subtle shift

Chapter 81

Je, Dec

that if I didn’t intervene, he was about to snap. I reached out and gently took

I knew it was still there, simmering under the surface. I looked back at my mother forcing my voice