The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 82

-Grayson’s POV-

The room fell into an unnatural silence, the kind that pressed against your ears and made your pulse thrum louder in the quiet. Luther’s words echoed in my mind: I was responsible? A ridiculous claim, but the weight of it hung heavy in the air. My thoughts were interrupted by Ava’s sharp voice breaking through the tension.

“The man said Grayson was responsible? That’s a load of bullshit Someone is clearly trying to frame him,” she said, her voice steady but laced with anger.

Luther’s glare didn’t wäver as he turned his full attention to Ava And you’re sure of this because you know him so well?” he sneered. “The man with enough blood on his hands to start an entire pack?”

I felt Ava’s touch on my arm, grounding me, tethering me to reason. But I didn’t want that. Not now. I pulled away from her, my wolf pacing inside me, restless and seething. My voice, when I spoke, was cold and measured, laced with the kind of quiet fury that made people take a step back.

“I’ll say this only once,” I began, my tone even but threatening. did not kill any Alpha or send anyone after you, Luther. But if you start spreading this nonsense, I’ll make sure you know exactly who’s responsible for ending you. Test me, and you’ll find out.”

Luther’s jaw tightened, his defiance burning in his eyes, but he didn’t respond. Instead, his gaze shifted, sliding to Evelyn Pierce, who stood silently opposite him. They exchanged a look, something unspoken passing between them, before Luther turned back to me.

“This is my home,” he said curtly. “And you’re intruding on my territory. You might be king, but that doesn’t give you the right to barge in here uninvited. Use the door.

1 ignored his words, stepping closer instead. “I want to speak to the man you caught.”

Luther’s lips curled into a mockery of a smile, his eyes glinting with barely concealed satisfaction. “Te’s dead,” he said. Clawed out his own throat the moment he confessed. He paused, letting the weight of his next words settle heavily between us. “After he admitted you ordered the attack”

I felt my wolf surge within me, a raw fury clawing to the surface was ready to call Luther out on his lies, to rip through his thinly veiled accusation, but then Ava reached for me again. Her hand, warm and steady, slipped into mine, and when I glanced down at her, her eyes pleaded for restraint.

Let it go, they seemed to say.

I let out a long breath, forcing the anger to recede, even though it simmered just beneath the surface. My grip on Ava’s hand tightened as I shot Luther one last warning glare before turning to leave.

The night air outside was crisp, biting against my skin as I stepped out of the house. Ava’s voice cut through the silence. “Someone’s not only killing Alphas but trying to frame you. That’s just… messed up.”

I stopped, surprised by her words. I had assumed her defense of me inside was performative, something done out of necessity in front of her parents.

“You really believe I didn’t do it?” I asked, watching her closely.

She rolled her eyes as though the answer was obvious, “Of course, you didn’t. If you wanted someone dead, you’d handle it yourself. You wouldn’t send assassins and leave a trail that points directly back to you. That’s not your style.”

Her blunt honesty startled me, but there was an edge of admiration in her voice that I didn’t know what to do with. Before I could respond, her expression shifted, concern darkening her features.

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Chapter 821

though,” she said, pacing a few steps ahead. “My father won’t keep his mouth shut about this. The rumors will spread like wildfire–that you’re behind

mouth to speak, but she cut me off,

you don’t care what they think. You’re their king, Grayson. If they believe you’re ordering their deaths instead of protecting them, they’ll turn on you. Alphas will band together, and even you can’t

matter.”

The wolf in me chafed at the idea of defending myself to anyone, but the leader in me knew she spoke the

or not–and get ahead of this mess before my father starts spreading his version of the story. You’ll make it clear that you had nothing to

There was something magnetic about the way she moved, her passion and conviction radiating

to face me, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, her voice

unbidden. Her eyes widened in surprise, and I realized why. I hardly ever

voice a mix

said, my voice low, almost amused.

up in disbelief.

“Does that surprise you?”

admitted. “I figured you’d listen to me,

closer, holding her gaze. “You’re my Luna, Ava. Of

moment, she said nothing, just staring at me as though she wasn’t quite sure what to make of my words. Then, slowly, a faint blush crept across her cheeks. She quickly turned away, hiding her face, but I caught the small smile tugging at her lips before she

settled into a quiet rhythm as we walked toward my car when something suddenly clicked in my mind. The letter. The one that

I caught the subtle stiffening in

and negotiations with other alphas. But when it came time to finalize deals or show my face publicly, Dylan sure I didn’t. He needed the credit, of course. I hated every second of it, hated that I was fated to him. Six months. Six months of enduring him- Her voice tightened, raw emotion spilling into her words. “He’s an

pressed, “you stopped me from killing him

Dylan is expecting a child, and my history with him is messy enough without adding bloodshed into the mix. If you killed him, rumors would spread. People would twist it into some absurd tale of jealousy or revenge.

was something I hadn’t realized I craved until she said it. My

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Chapter 82

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inside, glancing up at me with a faint smile. It was brief, barely there, but it left its mark on me. I

kind that let thoughts breathe, that allowed reflection to take root. As the city lights blurred past us, I kept my focus on the road, letting plans for tomorrow take shape

Ava’s breathing had softened. She’d fallen asleep, her head tilted slightly against the window. The sight brought an unbidden

upside down without even

when my phone buzzed violently against the console. Ava stirred, her eyelids fluttering open, and I cursed under my breath. I ignored the first buzz, but

up

on the screen

snapped, annoyed that he’d disturbed