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

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Chapter 103

shadow passing over his expression. “No,”

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on me again. “I’s too quiet,” I murmured. “Like the calm before a storm. I can’t shake

me off. “Come with me,” he

meant, he took my hand and began leading me toward the far corner of the estate. His grip was firm but not

trees and past the main house

throat. before. When we stopped, I looked around, and my

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

turned to Grayson, utterly astonished. “What is

dinner,” he said simply, his expression unreadable.

doing this? This isn’t the right time. We have

breathe. “We always have something to worry about, Ava. There’s always another battle, another threat. But tonight… tonight, I just want to

me speechless, but before I could respond, he reached for my hand. “Look,”

followed his gaze to his hand and watched as his claws extended slowly. I gasped, the sight sending

འ

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.

His

“But tonight… I just want to be with you. No problems,

Slowly, I

to the table, pulling out a chair for me before taking his seat. The evening unfolded like a dream, every detail meticulously planned. The food was delicious, but I

me began to lift, replaced by something warmer, something

I said softly, my voice breaking the

what?” he asked, his brow

said, gesturing to the beautiful setting around us. “For reminding me that even in the chaos, there’s

expression softened, and he reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “You don’t have to thank me, Ava,” he said, his voice low and filled with something I couldn’t quite name. “You’ve been there for me through everything. This

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