The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 105

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-Ava’s POV-

The saying about irony lingered in my mind, though the exact words escaped me. All I could think of was how cruel it was- that I had finally gotten my wolf only for Grayson to lose his. The universe worked in twisted ways, and this one cut deeper than I ever thought possible.

Weeks had passed since the attack. Life had returned to some semblance of normalcy, or at least as close to normal as things could get around here. The truth about the recluse Alpha’s death had surfaced, but it only added to the unsettling feeling that lingered like a shadow behind me. Whoever orchestrated the attack hadn’t sent their wolves to kill the Alpha; that much was clear now. It was a distraction, a piece of some larger plan I couldn’t yet decipher. Almost like they knew we would be there and had just sent wolves to kill us. But since then? Nothing but silence. Absolute, deafening stillness.

The only noticeable difference in the pack was Grayson. Or rather, what he was hiding beneath the stoic mask he wore every day. He had lost his wolf–a secret no one else could ever know. And if we couldn’t find a way to bring him back, it would be a secret I’d take to my grave.

He carried himself like he always had, with that unshakable presence that made people straighten their backs when he walked by. But I could see through the facade. There was a heaviness in his gaze, a weight that hadn’t been there before. The void he carried within him must have been unbearable, but he refused to let it show.

Maria had done what she could, casting a protection spell over him to keep him safe, but her efforts to restore his wolf had failed.

“He’s strong. He’ll get through this, just like you did.”

The words echoed in my mind suddenly and it still caught me off guard no matter how many times she had done it over the last weeks. It was still strange, hearing her in my head after all these years without her. But I couldn’t let myself fully embrace the connection–not when guilt ate away at me. Grayson had sacrificed so much for me, and now he was the one suffering.

I stood on the edge of the training grounds, watching him from a distance as he gave orders to the warriors. His voice carried a weight of authority that demanded respect, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of admiration. Even now, he was a force to be reckoned with.

“He’s strong,” my wolf murmured again.

“I know he is,” I whispered back, my voice soft. “I just…”

The words trailed off as I watched him dismiss the warriors. He turned, as if drawn by some invisible force, and our eyes met. For a moment, the rest of the world fell away.

I offered him a small smile, unsure of what else to do. He returned it, but it was faint, barely there. Still, it was something. Before I could second–guess myself, my feet carried me toward him, closing the distance between us.

His eyes never left mine as I approached, and when I was close enough to speak, I hesitated. “Hi,” Lsaid, my voice softer than I intended.

Grayson’s response surprised me. He reached out, pulling me gently into his arms, and pressed a tender kiss to my lips. The gesture caught me off guard, but I melted into it, feeling a warmth I hadn’t felt in weeks.

When he pulled back, a real smile touched his lips. “Hi,” he said, his voice low and rich in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.

racing. “Did they find anything yet?” I asked, trying to shift my

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Chapter 103

head, a shadow passing over his expression. “No,” he said

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me again. “I’s too quiet,” I murmured. “Like the calm before a

when Grayson held up a hand, cutting me off. “Come with me,” he said, his tone

meant, he took my hand and began leading me toward the far corner of the estate. His grip was firm but not harsh, and the warmth of his hand against mine was oddly

in silence, weaving through the trees and past the main

we stopped, I looked around, and my

of the trees, casting a soft, golden glow over the clearing. A small table was set up in the center, draped in a

to Grayson, utterly astonished. “What is

simply, his expression

head. “Why are you doing this? This isn’t the

me off. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. “We always have something to worry about, Ava. There’s always another

left me speechless, but before I could respond, he reached for my

extended slowly. I gasped, the sight sending a mix of shock and hope surging through

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fully back. But I can feel him again. It’s faint, like a flicker, but it’s there. That means he’s not gone forever.” His voice was steady, but there was an edge of determination in it. “Whatever’s happening, whatever’s making our connection flicker, I’ll find it. I’ll

His

expression softened. “But tonight… I just want

overwhelm me. Slowly,

his seat. The evening unfolded like a dream, every detail meticulously planned. The food was delicious, but I hardly tasted it,

lift, replaced by something warmer, something deeper. Grayson’s walls, the ones he kept

you,” I said softly, my voice breaking the comfortable silence between us.

he asked, his

around us. “For reminding me that even in the chaos, there’s still room for…

hand in his. “You don’t have to thank me, Ava,” he said, his voice low and filled with something

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