The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

hapter 125

Chapter 125

-Grayson’s POV-

“No.”

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That single, two–lettered word was enough to erase the smug smile from Evelyn’s face. Her lips parted slightly, and her perfectly arched brows furrowed. “No?” she repeated, her voice soft but incredulous, like she couldn’t quite believe what she’d heard.

You’re adding selective hearing to your list of problems?” I asked, my tone dry. I didn’t wait for her response. “I’ve warned

u once. Evelyn, and I suggest you heed it. There won’t be another warning if you cross me again. Now, leave.”

For a moment, she stood there blinking, as if trying to process the command. Then her composure snapped back into place. Her chin lifted, and the fire in her eyes reignited. “You met me here, Grayson. Me. This isn’t a place for people like you, and if anyone should leave, it’s you.”

A dark smile touched my lips as I gestured toward the security staff standing near the entrance. “Actually,” I began, savoring the moment, “I now own this restaurant. That means I decide who stays and who goes. Leave cordially, or they will escort you out.”

Her head snapped around to look at the two men now moving toward her. She gasped, turning back to me, her face a mask of disbelief. “How did you-? When did you buy-? You don’t even—”

One of the security men reached out to take her arm, but she yanked it back violently. “Do not touch me,” she hissed, venom dripping from her words.

Her gaze swung back to me, filled with pure, unfiltered contempt. “This isn’t over, Grayson,” she spat, grabbing her things and storming toward the exit.

I watched her leave, every eye in the room following her dramatic departure. A faint flicker of satisfaction ran through me. If there was one thing every Pierce despised more than anything, it was public humiliation. That’s exactly why I had purchased this pretentious little restaurant in the first place to show her that I could strip away her power, piece by piece, any time I wanted.

But as the high of the moment began to wear off, a wave of irritation crashed over me. The paperwork, the meetings, the hevitable headache of managing yet another restaurant–all of it would now be my problem. And for what? A fleeting victory over Evelyn Pierce?

No, there was something else gnawing at me, something far more aggravating. Her words lingered in my mind like an echo that refused to fade. Evelyn knew about the curse. Not just that it existed, but details–too many details from the expression on her face but even if she hadn’t directly demanded Ava’s return to her, I would never have said yes because I would rather rip out my own heart before I ever bent to her will.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Maria. She answered on the first ring. “If I had found anything tangible, you’d have already heard from me,” she said before I could speak.

“I’m aware,” I replied, my voice low. “I need you to dig deeper. Look into the history of the Pierces–specifically the historical aspect with magic. I think they’re connected to the curse somehow.”

“You believe Ava’s family is responsible?” Maria asked, skepticism evident in her tone.

“No,” I said, pacing toward the far end of the restaurant where fewer eyes were on me. “But I think they’re tied to it. Maybe we’ve been searching in the wrong direction.”

was a pati

hamda dey”

I’ll see what I can uncover. I’ll reach out to my people and

though she couldn’t see me. “Let me know

ended the call and was about to dial Carter when a man approached me. He was impeccably dressed, not a single crease out of place in his tailored suit. His polished

Andrew Waters, the manager here. I was informed of

made no move to take it. Instead, I met

running things around here.”

hand dropped awkwardly, and he wiped it against his suit. “I–uh–Mr. Blackwood-”

I ask you a question.” I cut

mouth snapped shut.

my gaze sweep over the restaurant. “How often does Evelyn

often,” he

one of her favorite places.” I didn’t wait for him to answer. “Why do you think that is?” I added, almost, as an afterthought, before immediately shaking my head. “Never mind. Don’t answer that. Instead, look around and tell me the first word that comes

darted around the room, and he blurted out, “Fake.”

I said with a nod. “You see, Andrew, I like to make statements. Every move I make has to leave an impact. Left to me, Idshut this place down entirely just to make sure Evelyn never steps foot in it again. I’d strip away the one thing she loves most: control. And yes, everyone here, including you, would lose their jobs because you see, I’m not a

lips parted slightly, as if unsure how to

all great villains in a story, I’ve met someone who makes me want to be better. A woman who wouldn’t approve of me putting everyone out of work just to make a point. So here’s what we’re going to do, Andrew.” I leaned in slightly, emphasizing his

I bring my wife here, I want to see that beautiful smile of hers light up the room because she likes what you’ve done.

up and down, his eyes wide.

lovely chat.

3 Jan

Chapter 123

V

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sighed. “Alright. I’ll see what I can uncover. I’ll reach out to my people

I said, nodding even though she couldn’t see me. “Let me know

dressed, not a single crease out of place in his tailored suit. His polished shoes clicked softly against the floor as he extended a hand. His smile was wide. too wide,

a pleasure to meet you. I’m Andrew Waters, the manager here. I was informed of the change in ownership, and 1-”

at his outstretched hand but made no move to take it. Instead, I met his gaze with icy disinterest. “You’re here to

dropped awkwardly, and he wiped it against

ask you a question,” I cut in, “do not speak.”

snapped

letting my gaze sweep over the restaurant. “How often does Evelyn Pierce come