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.”

a stark contrast to his wrinkled, calm demeanor. “And,” he

You’re like werewolf

his expression unchanging. “We prefer

me, and his smile grew faintly

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Chapter 131

an honor to have you here.”

startled. “You know who I

Blackwoods. You, in particular,

could respond, he rose to his feet with a

and I exchanged a

our feet and followed him

air grew cooler as we walked, the path narrowing. The walls were adorned with ancient markings–symbols and patterns

against mine:

replied:

silence, the sound of dripping water growing louder. The dim light from luminescent stones embedded in the walls cast an ethereal glow, lighting our way through the dark, winding passage. My wolf remained calm, eerily so, as though

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

a word, our eyes communicated the unspoken agreement: we attack

necessary.

into

flowers and fresh grass. Small huts, built with natural materials, dotted the landscape, and people dressed similarly to Alaric moved about, their laughter and chatter creating a soothing melody.

past, their joyous laughter echoing in the air, and birds with vibrant plumage flitted between the trees.

allowed myself to take it all in. I wasn’t one for sentimentality, but this place felt… different. As though I had stepped into an entirely

rock, its intelligent eyes watching us. My wolf

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

silence. “What

Alaric replied simply, his voice carrying

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

at a group of women that would be about Ava’s age. They giggled, covering their faces as they returned to their

glaring at him. “Stop

grinned, unapologetic.

help myself.”

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Chapter 131

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harder,” I snapped, my attention shifting back to Alaric as he led us

turning back to Alaric. “So, what exactly are you

grace of someone who had all the time in the world. His voice, when it came, was calm but tinged with a certain weight. “I want you to see what the world could have