The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 93

-Grayson’s POV-

“On a scale of one to a hundred, how possible is it to poison a mother and leave the baby alive?” Ava huffed as we slid into the car, her voice sharp with irritation.

A small smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it but didn’t say anything.

She crossed her arms and sank into the seat. “If anyone asks, I never said that. I just cannot believe that little—” She cut herself off, blowing out a frustrated breath.

I started the car, glancing at her. “And the reason you can’t just say no is?”

“Because,” she muttered, “that’s exactly what she expects me to do. She expects me to quit, to give up, and I refuse to give her the satisfaction of being right. I can be professional. And then–once the baby is born–I’ll make good on my poison scheme.”

I turned on the car, but still couldn’t understand why humans thrived on such drama.

She sighed heavily, breaking the moment. “I’m really sorry about today. I know we were supposed to go out.”

“I moved everything to next week.”

“Okay…” She dragged out the word, glancing at me. “Cool. I guess we’re going home now.”

I hesitated for a second, keeping my eyes on the road. “Unless you want to go somewhere else.”

“No,” she said softly, her gaze shifting out the window.

Silence stretched between us, the kind that wasn’t just quiet but weighted. Now that we were alone, I felt the full force of what had happened earlier. I’d told her things–shown her things–that I’d never shared with anyone else.

Maria had only known because she’d seen my memories, and even then, I hadn’t had to explain myself. But Ava… Ava was different. She hadn’t looked at me with disgust or judgment, even though I’d braced myself for it.

Still, I didn’t know what to say.

Ava sighed, breaking the quiet. “You’re doing it again, Grayson. That cold–energy thing you revert to.”

My wolf let out an annoyed growl in my head, a low rumble of agreement.

“I was just thinking about what I told you earlier,” I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended.

Her head turned toward me, her expression softening, “I was going to tell you before Tessa’s emergency came up. I don’t blame you, Grayson.”

I glanced at her sharply, surprised by how steady her voice was,

“You were a teenager forced into an impossible situation. You made a bad decision because of the circumstances you grew up in,” she continued, reaching out to squeeze my hand. Her warmth seeped into my skin, grounding me in a way I didn’t realize I needed. “That doesn’t make me think any less of you.”

I stared at her, unable to speak. She didn’t flinch, didn’t waver–just held my gaze with unwavering certainty.

“And besides,” she said, a small smile tugging at her lips, “you did kill a man in front of me. Kind of hard to top that don’t you think?

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Chapter 93

before I could stop

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I’ve come to terms with that.

hand slipped away, and she rubbed her stomach absently before leaning back in her seat. “Actually, now that I think about it, I don’t want to go home. I’m starving. But please don’t fly me to another country for food–I have

through me, like I’d been holding my breath for hours

know just the place,” I said, turning the car onto

me guess,” she said under her breath as I parked

I smirked. “Of course.”

open her door. “Does it ever get boring being you?”

particularly,” I replied smoothly, guiding her

atmosphere shifted. Heads turned, whispers followed, and the manager was practically sprinting toward us. “Mr. Blackwood,” he greeted, bowing his head slightly. “It’s an honor to have you here. Your private

murmurs from the staff and patrons. She leaned

grinned. “It has its perks.”

escorted to an intimate

the dining area but still offering a perfect view of the city through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The staff was efficient, bringing us menus before I even had to

like this?” Ava asked once the waiter disappeared to fetch our

“Like what?”

her chin on her hand, “Oh sorry, I forgot, you are royalty. But not to

just good business,” I said casually, though

Your Majesty, I hope this royal feast

back in my seat.

menu and began scanning the options, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered her choices. I watched her for

flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye. Someone had just walked in a woman, her posture stiff but then my stare

my wolf growl

Monica

noticed her yet, too engrossed in her menu, but I in it was

Dec

Chapter 93

had brought her here once a very long

I

Q

in my mood immediately, her sharp eyes darting up to follow my gaze. The moment

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step. My wolf surged, a low growl rumbling in my chest. Ava, sensing the danger, reached across the table and placed her hand over

her voice

lips curling in disdain before she locked eyes with me. “Grayson,” she said

internally, and I felt my patience stretch thin. I had warned her–explicitly–that if I saw

“It’s nice to see you too, Monica,

sneered, “did I ask you a question?