The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 131

-Grayson’s POV-

The sound of birds chirping and Rickon’s heavy b echoed through t

the damp cat

This place was like nothing I had Countless generations had walked

ever encountered before–dim and ancient, the walls worn smooth with time, as though through these very paths. The humans–or whatever they were that had brought us here had been uncharacteristically hospitable.

Too hospitable.

“Do you think they’re going to eat us?” Rickon whispered, his voice low but tinged with genuine concern.

I sighed, leaning back against the cold stone wall. “Yes, Rickon. I’m sure they offered us food and fresh clothes because they’re fattening us up for a feast.”

Rickon scowled at me, his expression dripping with irritation. “This is the worst time for you to discover the workings of sarcasm, your highness.”

Before I could retort, the sound of approaching footsteps silenced us both. The leader of this odd community appeared from the shadows, his gait steady and his presence commanding. Rickon immediately straightened, but I kept my posture relaxed, my eyes fixed on the man as he walked towards us and sat down.

to someone in his late fifties. His He wasn’t wearing his mask this time. His face, weathered with age, looked like it belonged expression was calm, and my wolf, ever attuned to danger, remained strangely still. There was nothing threatening about him, but that only unsettled me more.

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Did you enjoy the meal?”

Rickon, ever the tactless one, wrinkled his nose. “Not really. Whatever it was you gave us could do with a little everything.”

more…

I fought the urge to glare at him, refusing to take my eyes off the man. The leader’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes sharp yet curious. “Do you share your friend’s opinion?”

“He’s not my friend,” I said curtly.

Rickon let out an exaggerated gasp. “Now you’re just hurting my feelings.”

I reached into his mind, slamming a mental door shut in the hope the jolt of pain would silence him. Instead, he groaned loudly. “What the hell was that for?”

The leader cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to him. His smile didn’t waver, but there was something about the way he was looking directly at me now.

Settling

The silence stretched on, thick and oppressive, until I finally broke it. “Who are you?” I asked, my voice steady. “And what do you plan to do with us?”

The man inclined his head slightly. “My name is Alaric, and as you might have guessed, I am the leader of my people here.”

irises shifted to an inky black, a stark contrast to his wrinkled, calm demeanor. “And,” he added, “I am just

what? You’re like

snapped to him, his expression unchanging.

grew faintly amused “You’re a long way from your kingdom,

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Chapter 131

is an honor to

blinked, startled. “You know who I am?”

replied smoothly. “Everyone knows of the Blackwoods. You, in particular, have made quite an exceptional name

I could respond, he rose to his feet with

I exchanged a glance

and followed him deeper into the

and patterns I couldn’t begin to decipher, though they seemed to

link brushed against mine: This is getting very

replied: I

The dim light from luminescent stones embedded in the walls cast an ethereal glow, lighting

above, the sound deafening in the enclosed space. Alaric stopped, gesturing for

another glance. Without a word, our eyes communicated the unspoken agreement:

necessary.

and emerged into the most

into a hidden valley bathed in golden sunlight. The air was crisp and pure, carrying the scent of blooming/ flowers and fresh grass. Small huts, built

laughter echoing in the air, and birds with vibrant plumage flitted between the trees. Everything about this

one for sentimentality, but this place felt… different. As though I had stepped into an entirely different

large, bird–like creature perched on a rock, its intelligent eyes watching us. My wolf bristled slightly, recognizing it as the

“You must forgive Ortor. He doesn’t take well to visitors.

finally broke the silence. “What is this

the chaos,” Alaric replied simply,

again, and we followed him. As we passed, people stopped what they were doing to look at us, their expressions a mix of curiosity and

be about

glaring at him.

unapologetic. “What? I

help myself.”

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Chapter 131

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Alaric as he led us

under his breath, before turning back

in the world. His voice, when it came, was calm but