The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 94

-Ava’s POV-

The moment Grayson told me about the attack, I texted Isabella. Rickon was the target this time, and from the panic in Isabella’s reply, I knew she was already on her way to his house. That alone told me how bad things were.

Unrelated to the current chaos, I made a mental note: *Play matchmaker.* Isabella and Rickon were practically made for each other–if only they could see it. As confident as Isabella liked to appear, deep down, she was a hopeless romantic who longed for a true mate bond. Maybe it was my duty to nudge fate in the right direction. And fate being Rickon. She hated womanizers so he needed to learn how not to project that that was who he was.

We arrived at Rickon’s mansion, and I had to stifle a groan. Why do all the Alphas get the mansions? Seriously, was it writte into some unspoken rule that power had to come with sprawling estates?

Before I could dwell on the injustice of it all, Grayson took my hand and led me inside. The warmth of his grip made it impossible not to smile, even as I reminded myself that this wasn’t the time for inappropriate grins. This was serious.

As we walked through the grand hall, heads bowed respectfully in Grayson’s direction. He pulled me a little closer, and my stomach fluttered despite the gravity of the situation.

Focus, Ava. Serious situation, remember?

But the smile slipped from my face entirely when we stepped into the living room. Rickon sat on the couch, covered in bruises, arguing with Isabella, who was pressing an ice pack to his arm.

“I told you, I’ll heal on my own!” Rickon groaned, shifting uncomfortably.

“And I told you,” Isabella snapped, her glare sharp enough to make even Rickon flinch, “that until then, this will help with the pain. But if you don’t want my help-” She tossed the ice pack at his leg, making him wince.

“My whole body hurts!” Rickon protested.

“Which is why I told you to use the ice pack in the first place!”

I glanced at Grayson, unsure if we should intervene. “Should we step in?”

Grayson surprised me with his response. “Is that what we look like when we argue?”

I laughed, unable to help myself. “No, that’s what I look like. Rickon seems to enjoy the banter. You, on the other hand, always look like you’re five seconds away from committing murder.”

Grayson’s lip twitched, almost as if he wanted to smile. I nudged his hand playfully. “Don’t worry, I’ve decided to put up with it.”

Without waiting for a response, I moved toward Rickon and Isabella. “Rickon, I’m really glad you’re okay” Then I turned to Isabella, grinning. “And there she is my favorite best friend who somehow magically reappeared here first.”

Isabella glared at me, narrowing her eyes.

“Now you see how annoying you are when you

do that.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but Grayson stepped forward, cutting her off. “Why did you call me here?”

Okay, clearly someone needed a lesson in compassion. I sighed. What Grayson meant to say was that he’s glad you survived the attack, and now he would like to know why you asked him to come. Right, Grayson?”

Grayson

shot me a glare, his default reaction whenever I spoke for him, but then his expression softened. He sighed. “Yes.”

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Chapter 94

Q

grin stretched wide, despite the obvious pain it caused him. “Smiling hurts like hell right now, but this is so for the day I finally made Grayson

sentence,” Grayson warned,

pushed himself to his feet, grimacing Come on, I’ll

with a stern look. “I was talking to Grays You two stay here. Especially you,”

Grayson’s voice cut

down the hall. “What do you think you’re doing?” Isabella asked,

me.

stay here,” I replied, though even I could hear

forgot–you were the queen of doing as you are told and trying to change these

“But-”

snapped, already

but sprang to

mansion was even larger than I’d realized. “This place is huge,” I whispered as

Alphas and their

you still rushed here. Maybe his oversized

glared at me, her

fell silent as we approached a door left slightly ajar.

sure about

to stop. We pressed ourselves against the

to catch three of them this time. Two killed themselves before we could question them. The third… bit out his

tightened, and I could feel the same dread I

are they so afraid of?” Rickon continued, his voice heavy. “What’s this person offering–or threatening–that makes them

to Isabella, “Maybe

Rickon’s voice rose. “You two do realize we have werewolf senses, right? That

throat as Isabella and

lips parted in a silent curse. Before I could scramble for an excuse or a clever

09:20 Wed, Dec 18

Chapter 94

staring down at us.

G

as ever, his expression a mixture of irritation and mild exasperation. Rickon, on the

chest. “This

effort to appear composed. “We weren’t

shifting to Isabella, who still hadn’t

tilted defiantly. “We

voice low and commanding. “Enough.” His eyes locked or mine, and for a

hard. “We

We are leaving soon,” Grayson said, his tone leaving no room

movement beyond the two men, behind the

I froze.

and Grayson’s glares, but because of the scene unfolding in

Blood.

So much blood.