The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 142

Chapter 142

-Grayson’s POV-

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The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the soft crackle of the fire in the hearth behind us. Ricardo’s gaze bore into me with the weight of his Alpha aura, daring me to waver, but I didn’t. I kept my expression as impassive as stone, refusing to show any hint of weakness or uncertainty.

This wasn’t just about my pride–it was about my pack, the real, my throne. Accepting an alliance with Ricardo was like inviting chaos into an already precarious situation. He was unpredictable, manipulative, and twisted in ways I couldn’t even begin to untangle.

But he was also right.

A war was coming.

And if it was anything like the one my wolf sensed, it wouldn’t just threaten my throne–it would burn everything to the ground.

“I’ll send the papers to make it official.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I braced for regret, expecting it to hit like a tidal wave. But it didn’t. Instead, I felt an odd clarity, even if it was laced with frustration. Aligning with Ricardo was the last thing I ever wanted, because I didn’t like him–probably never would–but there were too many things in my life that I’d sworn I’d never do, things that I never thought would happen to me.

Like Ava.

Yet here I was.

Her name was like a forbidden melody that played in my mind every time the reality of my situation crept in. I’d been working overtime to block thoughts of her, yet she found ways to invade my mind at the worst possible moments.

A sharp laugh snapped me out of my thoughts. Rickon threw his head back, the sound full of mockery and amusement. “And just like that, you lost it?”

Ricardo chuckled softly beside him, his expression smug. “The most unbelievable things happen to me. Truly, the stuff of legends.”

up alive in the first Ricardo to show This was exactly what I’d been dealing with for the last fifteen minutes since I made the declaration. I should’ve known ‘better than to put these two in the same room. Well, in my defense, I didn’t expect place.

Ricardo leaned back in his chair, completely at ease now. “Jerome, on the other hand, wasn’t so pleased, so I had to give him Anastasia for a week.”

The same Anastasia that Jerome had gone along this foolish plot for?

!

They shared the same woman?

“Who is Anastasia?”

The words slipped out before I could stop them, and the moment they did, I regretted it. I could physically feel both Ricardo and Rickon grinning, one from either side of me, as if I walked into some inside joke.

Ricardo was the first to respond, his smirk widening. “Anastasia my tiger. Jerome is rather fond of her, so we share her.” Then, he added with a knowing glint in his eye, “And yes, we do share women too, on occasion. I’d ask if you were

Sun, Jan

Chapter 142

much as looked at Ava. Poor Luca, may the goddess

table, but I kept my expression neutral. Giving Ricardo the satisfaction of a reaction was the last thing I intended. He, however,

she, by the way?” he asked, his tone casual, but the mockery was

business, Rickon chimed in,

turned sharp. “Ah, Luca. I hired him to kidnap Ay a while back to get Grayson’s attention. Let’s just say… it didn’t end well for Luca. Message received loud and clear: Ava

growing louder with every passing second until it drowned out everything else. I clenched my

like a

know I’ll probably get one of your infamous glares or a dozen threats, but don’t you think

“It’s Ava’s birthday

exasperated and amused. “No, it’s tomorrow. And she’s throwing a ball at your estate to celebrate it. That’s what

estate. To

like being blindsided. The irritation simmering

on me. I’m not the one who lied to my Luna, then actively ignored her, went

the gut. Hearing him lay it all out so plainly made me confront the truth I’d been avoiding. At first, distancing myself from Ava had been about protecting her. But after my encounter with Alaric, the fear of what I might have to do–of the possibility that I might have

it came to Ava, I was always out of

to fix this.

to my feet, intent on leaving immediately, with or without Rickon. But just as I turned, Ricardo, who had been unusually quiet,

not seriously planning to fly back without a

grand gesture,

back to face him

an almost predatory glint in his eyes. “Do you really know nothing about women? It sounds like you’ve seriously fucked up, and you keep digging yourself deeper. You

screwed up and a simple apology won’t cut it.

Memora

already

10.54 Sun,

3

Chapter 142

hands together. “You could start by groveling. Publicly. Women

the big bad Alpha King, standing under a balcony with a guitar, singing some love song.”

at both of them, but they were

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had a brilliant idea. “How about a parade? A procession through the pack lands, declaring your

“Don’t forget the flowers. Thousands of them.

two are idiots,” I snapped, rising to my full height.

leaned back, his grin unwavering. “We’re

of teasing or jokes would stop me. Without another word, I

Ricardo still laughing, but their voices

well enough to understand her better than I did. My chest felt tight as I waited for her to pick up, though I didn’t have to wait long.

dryly, the sarcasm practically dripping from

moment to