The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 90

-Grayson’s POV

The door to my car slammed shut as Ava slid in, slumping again the seat. I let a few seconds pass before asking her, “Is she okay?

Not that I really cared.

My wolf growled low, an almost primal warning, and I shot himone back just as sharp. Yes, I could admit–at least to myself -that something had shifted in me last night. Something I hadn’t thought possible. But that didn’t mean I was going to start acting like I was some saint or suddenly cared about a stranger.

And, frankly, her emergency had ruined my morning plans for Ava.

I knew exactly what I was. An asshole. That was a fact I never denied or tried to sugarcoat.

Ava let out a sigh, her shoulders relaxing as she stared out the windshield. Her sigh pulled me out of my internal monologue, and, as my gaze lingered on her, memories of last night came crashing down like a tidal wave.

I had neverthought much about sex before–hever really cared about it. The only reason I had even sought a solution to my “problem” was because I couldn’t stand the idea of being bad at something. Of being incapable. It wasn’t about need or desire–it was about pride.

But last night

I hadn’t known what to expect. Perfection wasn’t the right word to describe it. Explosive. Consuming. More than I’d thought it could be. If I’d ever envisioned what sex might feel like, it would have fallen short compared to what happened with Ava.

I’d wanted to give her the perfect day. That had been the plan. And then it had been ruined.

My irritation toward the other woman was well–deserved.

“She’s fine,” Ava said finally, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Suble now, at least, but her daughter–Mikayla–she’s pretty mad at me.” She exhaled heavily, running a hand through her hair. “I’m just glad Tessa’s okay. I don’t know how I’d live with myself if something happened just because…”

She trailed off, her words hanging heavy in the air.

I opened my mouth to say something–probably something stupid, like reminding her it had been on a Sunday–but I bit it back. It wasn’t the time for my particular brand of insensitivity. If things between Ava and me were going to progress, I’d need to be smart about when I let my true colors show.

“I can’t leave yet,” Ava added softly. “I have to-”

And there went my entire day.

“I’ll stay with you,” I heard myself say before my brain could catch up.

Ava turned her head toward me, surprise flickering in her tired eyes. “Are you sure?”

I wanted to snatch the words back. Hospitals weren’t my thing–cold, sterile, suffocating. It was almost ironic that the woman I… loved for was a doctor.

froze mid–thought. The woman ! what?

No. That couldn’t be right. Love wasn’t something I understood, let alone felt. Where had that even come from?

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Chapter 90

pulled

my throat, shifting uncomfortably in the driver’s seat. “Sorry, I

clearly unconvinced. “I was just saying I don’t know how long this is going

the hospital,” I replied before I could stop

Seriously?

amused rumble, clearly enjoying my predicament, but I ignored

small, shy smile. “Really? You’d

No. I hate hospitals.

“Yes,” I said instead.

rate, I might need to detach my own lips because

back into the hospital. The moment we stepped inside, I felt the stares. Heads turned, some out of curiosity, others out of recognition.

the halls, Ava slowed, turning toward me. Before I could

My lips barely registered the warmth of hers before she pulled away and

there for a

I muttered

my head and made my way to the waiting area, sinking into one of the uncomfortable chairs. My wolf growled sofily, but I ignored him, pulling out my phone to distract myself. Time dragged on, and eventually, I grew restless. Hospitals had a way of amplifying every little noise, from

sit still any longer. I got up and started wandering aimlessly,

when I

repeatedly. Her face was a mix of frustration and anger, and she

was about to walk past her–because, honestly, not my problem–but something made me pause. Maybe it was the sheer force of her anger or the way her shoulders

hand through my hair.

I said, my voice cutting through the sound of her

startled, and for a moment, her glare made me think she was about to tell

asked dryly, raising

money she

back at her. “Kicking it isn’t going to

Tue, Dec

Chapter 90

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stubbornly. “What else am supposed

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a dollar bill, slipping them into the machine. I punched the buttons, and, unsurprisingly, it worked

said, holding it out to

she took the chips, mumbling a quiet,

walk away, but her

she said, hesitating. “You’re… Grayson

right?”

was to hear her being referred to as a Pie by someone

her to embed my name into her skin. I

extended her

her mother that ruined my plans. She took a step backward, and it took me a moment to realize my aura, which had subtly faded aroun Ava, had kicked in

because I had

you aware that you upset my…”