The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 128

-Ava’s POV-

“Damn you, Grayson Blackwood!” I hissed through clenched teeth, barely restraining myself from hurling my phone across his office. The audacity. How could he lie to me? Again. I should’ve expected it, but somehow I let myself believe we were finally making progress.

“He still isn’t taking your calls?”

I turned sharply to find Eliza watching me, concern etched across her face. Her uneasiness only made my frustration grow. “No,” I snapped, then fixed her with a hard look. “Are you absolutely sure you don’t know where he is? Eliza, we’re friends. I know Grayson can be terrifying, but you can tell me.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “I really don’t know, Ava. I swear. He called me two days ago, told me to cancel all his meetings, and said he’d be unavailable for a while. That’s all I know.”

I blinked, surprised. “Two days?” My voice rose. “You haven’t seen him in two days?”

Her nod was confirmation enough. The pieces clicked together, and anger flared inside me. He had been lying to me for two whole days. My fists clenched, and I swore under my breath. When I saw him, the Moon Goddess herself wouldn’t stop me from throttling him.

“Okay. Thanks,” I muttered, trying to suppress the frustration bubbling over. A tense silence lingered between us before I added softly, “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you with the whole Jeremy thing. I just…” I trailed off, guilt tightening my throat.

She offered me a small, understanding smile. “It’s fine, Ava. I get it.”

I managed a weak smile back. “So…. have you sorted things out with him? Are you still…”

She sighed deeply, sinking into the chair opposite Grayson’s desk. “I don’t know. He spied on me, Ava. Used me to get information. But…” Her voice softened. “I love him. He said he wanted to marry me. And now? I just—”

“You don’t know if you can trust him the same way again,” I finished for her, sliding onto the desk inches from her.

She nodded slowly. “Exactly.”

I paused, thinking. “You know,” I started, “when I really think about it, this is all kind of my fault.”

Her head snapped up, and she frowned. “What? How is any of this your fault?”

“My mother.” The words came out bitter, the name alone tasting like venom. “Evelyn Pierce. She’s the one who sent someone after Jeremy to use you. She wanted information, and she would’ve stopped at nothing to get it–all because of me. If I’d just stayed obedient little Ava, none of this would’ve happened. But ever since my life collided with Grayson’s, it’s been chaos. Drama. A constant whirlwind of problems.”

I stopped and smiled faintly. “But honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing. Life isn’t supposed to be easy, Eliza. If you love someone, really love them, you learn to forgive and let go. The road won’t always be straight, but it’s worth walking.”

She raised a brow. “So, are you going to forgive Grayson for lying to you?”

I burst out laughing as I hopped off the desk. “Oh, not a chance. He’s going to pay for this. Call me if you hear anything?”

She nodded with a small laugh, and I turned to leave but paused as something came to mind. “Oh! My birthday is on the 15th. It’s going to be more of a ball than a party. Werewolf style, of course. And my mother will be there.” My smile turned mischievous. “Maybe you can tell her what you think of her.”

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I’ll steer clear of your mother.

to be.”

sighed heavily. “I’ll see you there, though. Now, I have to go track Grayson down before

with that.”

left the office, I dialed Grayson’s number again. This time, it went straight to voicemail. My wolf stirred uneasily, sending waves of worry through me, but I pushed it away. Then Rickon’s name suddenly popped up. Grayson might not admit that he actually liked him but they were becoming close. If anyone knew where Grayson was, it had

to have his phone send me straight to voicemail too. That was odd. A twinge of worry crept in, and

given me a job that rivals Mission Impossible, and

you heard

heard from him?” she shot back, clearly annoyed.

firmly, “this is serious. Have you?”

slightly. “No, I haven’t. He hasn’t texted me his usual ‘Here’s what I’ve been doing all day‘ nonsense. I should’ve known than

made a mental note to play matchmaker for the two of them, yet again. “Try calling him. I think he’s with Grayson, and I can’t find either of them.

voicemail,” she finished

They’re definitely together.”

we’ll figure

could respond,

a frustrated sigh, I turned toward the elevator to head back to Grayson’s estate, but out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Liam emerging from the

Liam. Of course.

it, my feet were moving on their own, and I was

closing. I

a mix of amusement and concern.

I managed between pants. “Grayson. I need to find Grayson. Do you

seriously needed to start

but said calmly, “Let’s

office.”

breath, and muttered a

out, his long strides carrying him confidently down the hall. I

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with every step. He led me to a corner

for me to

one open

my wolf stirred. The faintest hint of a familiar scent tickled my nose, maddeningly unplaceable. My focus was

his tone firm yet

elusive and

space in natural light, casting a glow over the sleek mahogany desk and shelves lined

and clearly cherished. It featured Liam, Grayson, and Elaine when they were little. Grayson’s arm was slung casually around Elaine’s shoulders while Liam ruffled her hair, eliciting a dramatic pout from her. Grayson, though- his gray eyes were alight with joy, a broad, carefree grin on his face. The happiness in his expression was so foreign from the man I knew now that I couldn’t