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

to be.”

see you there, though. Now, I have to go track

with

sending waves of worry through me, but I pushed it away. Then Rickon’s name suddenly popped up. Grayson

him next, only to have his phone send me straight to voicemail too. That was odd. A twinge

“If this isn’t a life–or–death situation, I’m hanging up. You’ve given me a job that rivals Mission Impossible, and I only have three days to pull it

heard from Rickon?”

him?” she

said firmly, “this is serious. Have

I’ve been doing all day‘ nonsense. I should’ve known than

the situation, a smile tugged at my lips and I 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

to voicemail,” she finished for

They’re definitely

estate, and we’ll figure out how to hunt them down.”

respond, the call

out of the corner of

Liam. Of course.

even realized it, my feet were moving on their own, and I was sprinting after him. “Liam! Hold on! Wait!” I

in time to stop the elevator doors from closing. I stumbled inside, bent over, hands on my knees, gasping for

studied me with a mix of amusement and concern. Are you

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

to start doing cardio.

brow but said

office.”

breath, and muttered a faint “Okay.”

the elevator dinged to a stop, Liam stepped out, his long strides carrying him confidently down the

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in my chest tightening with every step. He led me to a corner office with

for me to enter.

one open

The faintest hint of a familiar scent tickled my nose, maddeningly unplaceable. My

seat,” he said, his tone firm

elusive and

office was as opulent as I’d expected–floor- to–ceiling windows bathed the space in natural light, casting a glow over the sleek mahogany desk and shelves lined with leather–bound books. On the walls hung tasteful

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 help but reach