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

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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

Grayson warned,

to his feet, grimacing

instinctively moved to follow, but Rickon turned, fixing us both with a stern look. “I was talking

opened my mouth to protest, but Grayson’s voice cut through the air like

huffed as the two of them disappeared down the hall. “What do you think you’re doing?” Isabella

me.

us to stay here,” I replied, though even I could

doing as you

“But-”

now, Lilian,” she snapped, already moving

sprang to

than I’d realized. “This place is huge,”

course it is. Alphas and their oversized egos always

you still

me, her cheeks tinged

left slightly

about

to stop. We

sighed. “We managed to catch three of them this time. Two killed themselves before we could question them. The third… bit

and I could feel the same dread I was experiencing reflected in

the hell are they so afraid of?” Rickon continued, his voice heavy. “What’s this person

hard and whispered to Isabella, “Maybe we

could respond, Rickon’s voice rose. “You two do realize we have werewolf senses,

my throat as Isabella and I exchanged wide–eyed looks.

my eyes flicked to Isabella. She was frozen, her lips parted in a silent curse. Before I could scramble

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Chapter 94

staring down at us.

G

on the other han

folding his arms across his chest. “This is

appear composed. “We

brow, his gaze shifting to Isabella, who still hadn’t moved from her crouched position. “Then

her chin tilted

“Enough.” His eyes locked or

hard.

are leaving soon,” Grayson said, his

I could turn away, something caught my eye. A glimmer of movement beyond the two men, behind the mirrored glass in the room

I froze.

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

Blood.

So much blood.