The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 124

-Ava’s POV-

The room tilted around me, as if the world itself had shifted. My heart hammered against my ribs, every beat an explosion of rage. My wolf snarled, its fury palpable at the very thought of what my mother had just said. “Signed me over?” I repeated the words in my head, unable to comprehend them. Was I truly hearing this correctly? Was I nothing more than some sor of possession to be passed around at her whim?

Grayson wouldn’t do that.

There was this even coming from?

What kind of twisted game was she playing?

I opened my mouth, intending to protest, to set the record straight, but the words caught in my throat, choking me. The silence hung thick in the air, suffocating, until Isabella’s voice broke through.

“What the hell are you talking about? Grayson wouldn’t do that,” she spat, her eyes blazing with defiance. “Scratch that- Lilian isn’t a piece of property, and I suggest you leave.”

My mother’s gaze hardened, her lips curling into a sneer as she looked at me. “I see you are still letting disrespectful brats speak on your behalf.”

The words snapped something inside me. The shock and confusion evaporated, replaced by something cold and sharp. I unlinked my hand from Isabella’s and stalked towards my mother, each step purposeful and filled with intent. “Outside. Now.”

The faintest smirk tugged at the corner of my mother’s lips before she made a show of stepping out into the hallway, just a few paces behind me. I didn’t waste a second before I turned on her, my voice low and filled with anger. “Grayson would never sign me over to you, no matter what twisted reason you’ve come up with. I’m not his property.”

The conviction in my words surprised even me. My voice was steady, clear, and unyielding.

My mother’s smile was infuriatingly calm. “Of course, you’re not. Grayson didn’t sign you to me because somehow, you’ve managed to worm your way into that dark heart of his. The man looks like he’d move mountains for you. And if it were t nyone else, I might actually be impressed and proud of you for it.”

My blood boiled. “Get to the point, Mother.”

She narrowed her eyes, her tone cold, almost dismissive. “You’ve truly lost all respect, do you know that?”

“And you’re wasting my time,” I shot back. “Do you know that?”

She sighed, as if she were the one patiently enduring some great trial. “As you know, the Pierces throw their annual ball every year. While you’ve gone out of your way to turn into someone I hardly recognize, acting recklessly, there are still many who aren’t aware of your recent actions. I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

My arms folded across my chest. “So what? You came here to humiliate me publicly and then expect me to play nice at your precious ball to save your face? What kind of twisted logic do you have in that brain of yours?”

Her eyes flashed with a dangerous gleam. “Watch your tone.”

“No,” I shot back, my voice cutting through the tension. “You watch it. I’m not going to any Pierce ball–now or ever again. I

FI, 3 Jan

Chapter 124

keep it that way. Now, if you’ll excuse

my arm, her grip painful. “You

surged to the surface, and my eyes

“So it’s

words as I made my way back down the hall. But just as I thought I was free, her voice stopped me

40%

it’s that no matter how far you run, no

make you second–guess yourself. I know exactly what buttons to press to make you fall in line, just like I did just now. I made you, Ava. I

expression one of disbelief. “Do you even hear yourself? What kind of mother says that to her own child?”

lips. “I thought you weren’t my

of frustration and exhaustion. “I’m done with this. Have a nice

her voice followed me like a haunting

get information about Grayson’s

cold. I stopped dead in my tracks, every muscle in my body tensing. “You

me to the real reason I’m here. I made him an offer when he came to confront me after he found out. I told him to break whatever hold he has

my

I see the truth that even if he had said yes, you still wouldn’t have agreed to leave him. Grayson Blackwood isn’t the problem. You

caught in my throat. For a moment, I

her smug smile only grew wider, as if she’d just won some victory. “Don’t try to deny it, I can see it in your eyes. You might think you’ve changed, but I still know you. I know you better than anyone. And I know you’ll be at that ball. In exchange, I’ll give you the same offer I gave Grayson. I’ll tell you everything I know about the curse hanging over his head.” My world tilted once more, the

you didn’t know about it,” she continued, a gleam in her eyes. “I’ve always said the Blackwoods were tainted. The curse is just the beginning. But since I’m feeling generous, I’ll tell you everything I know–if you attend the ball and play the part of the daughter I

stunned, the words still swirling in my head. The curse… what

loss for words, my mind racing, but her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She knew she’d won, and she knew I would have no choice but to comply.

the date,” she added, her gaze sweeping over my clothes. “And try to look presentable this

Fri, 3 Jan

Chapter 124

6

she turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing

“I really can’t

didn’t break her stride. Instead, she tossed back one final parting shot: “I’ll always be a part of who

disappeared around the corner, leaving me standing there with a thousand

Grayson was cursed?

spoken

know she sent the man?

all the promises of

40%

me, and I tried again—same result. My mind

you

wondering if she’d overheard anything, but her