The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 103

-Ava’s POV-

He slipped into a coma the next day. At least, that was what happened medically. I had begged Liam to let me take him to the hospital, desperate for some sense of control, some tangible way to help. But he had stood firm, his voice calm but unyielding as he told me, “Ava, I know you care about him deeply, but this is pack business. Grayson will be taken care of by the healers.“.

I had tried to fight him on it, tried to explain that I needed to do something. But in the end, he had gently guided me away, leaving me feeling powerless and utterly lost.

The only silver lining, if it could even be called that, was that Isabella had fully healed. Rickon and Eliza were by her side, ensuring she had all the support she needed. But I wasn’t a good friend–not to her, not to anyone. My focus was completely consumed by Grayson.

I had called into work, fumbling through a conversation with Dr. Griffin about Grayson’s “accident.” He had been understanding, giving me the time off I asked for without question. Tessa, thankfully, was doing well. As for Crystal, who I’d been forced to tolerate over the last few days–well, she could go to hell for all I cared.

up and Now, I sat in Grayson’s room, the dim light casting long shadows on the walls. The healers had cleaned him bandaged his wounds, but he still looked fragile in a way I had never imagined possible. The all–powerful Grayson Blackwood, reduced to this. It felt

unnatural. wrong,

I sighed, pulling the chair closer to his bed and reaching for his hand. His skin was warm, a small comfort, but his fingers were limp in mine.

“You know,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper, “the first time I saw you, I thought you were insanely hot.” I let out a shaky laugh, tears pooling in my eyes. “I know I was supposed to be focused on getting out of that damned marriage with Dylan, but part of me just kept thinking, Wow, this guy is gorgeous. Ridiculous, right?”

I sniffled, brushing a stray tear off my cheek. “It feels like forever ago now. Like a lifetime.”

I squeezed his hand gently, willing him to give me some kind of response–a twitch, a flicker, anything. But he remained still, his breathing steady but shallow.

“Please wake up,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Grayson, you have to wake up. You’re… you’re supposed to be invincible. The Alpha King, remember? You’re the one who saves everyone else, not the one lying here like this.”

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat threatening to choke me. Closing my eyes, I leaned my forehead against our joined hands.

“You know, I used to have this fantasy,” I said softly, my voice barely audible. “A stupid little daydream about the life I wanted. And for some reason, over time, you became the man in that fantasy.”

house–not a mansion, not some grand estate, just a cozy little house with a garden in the back. You love working in that garden, did you know that?” I laughed quietly, the sound tinged with sadness. “You’d plant vegetables, and I’d tease you about how seriously you took it. But you’d just smile at me, that crooked grin of

such a good dad, Grayson. You’d take them out to the park every weekend,

didn’t have to be. You didn’t grow up with all that pain, all those

173

Mon, Dec 23

Chapter 103

out a shaky breath, my thumb brushing over his knuckles. “We’d have these lazy Sundays where we’d all pile into bed- me, you, the kids. The boys would fight over who got to sit closest to you, and the little one would curl up on my lap. You’d tell them these ridiculous stories, and I’d just sit there, watching

from breaking down completely. You were happy in that world, Grayson. And I was happy too. No

rhythm of his breathing and the occasional rustle of fabric as I shifted in

I still do. And if you wake up, maybe–maybe we can try to make something like that real. I don’t care about the title, or the power, or any

a kiss to his knuckles. “So please, Grayson. Come back to me. I don’t care how long it takes or what I have to do–I’ll be

pressed my forehead against his hand again, my tears soaking into the bandages around his wrist.

like that, pouring out every little hope and dream I’d ever had for us, letting the fantasy unfold in my mind like a movie I didn’t want to end. I talked about the vacations we’d take, the silly arguments we’d have, the way our kids would roll their eyes at us when we danced in

my throat was raw and my heart felt like it had

then, just as I was starting to drift into a restless half–sleep, I felt it–a faint twitch in the hand I was

open, my

was nothing. Just the quiet hum of the room

it happened again–a weak, almost imperceptible

over him. “Grayson, can you hear me? Please,

barely, and a soft, hoarse sound escaped his lips.

might burst. “You’re okay,” I whispered, tears streaming down my

no sound came out. I leaned closer, desperate

voice so faint it was almost swallowed

It was him. I could hardly believe it. He was still here, still with me, even

seize me. “Grayson?” My voice cracked, too weak and small for the storm of emotions crashing inside me. “You’re awake, you’re awake!” I rushed to grab the

before I could even lift my hand, his grip tightened around mine. His fingers, weak but steady, wrapped around my wrist with surprising strength,