The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 161

Ava’s POV

Repression.

I think that’s what it’s called. That unconscious process where the mind locks away memories too painful to face, burying them so deep in the subconscious that they become almost impossible to access unless triggered. It’s a defense mechanisin

a way for the brain to shield you from the emotional wreckag

Or, in my case, to hide my darkness.

I was molded to be perfect, taught to believe in the illusion of flawlessness. I stood firmly on that belief, convincing myself f was good, pure, untainted. But the truth was, I wasn’t. I had done things, horrible things, that I’d forced myself to forget. It was easier to pretend they never happened. It was easier to pretend I wasn’t a monster.

Maybe that’s why I was so willing to accept Grayson for what he had done. Who he was. Because in him, I saw a mirror of myself–the part I fought to bury, the part I couldn’t let others see. The part the other version of myself kept talking about.

It was like there is always a battle inside me, one side revolted by the blood on my hands, the other side accepting it with cold indifference.

Ricardo tilted his head, studying me with that sly, knowing expression of his. Before he could speak, I cut him off, glaring at him with all the hatred I could muster. “Stay the hell away from me,” I hissed.

I tried to step back, but in my haste, I knocked over a bottle on the table. It hit the ground, shattering into pieces. The sound snapped Isabella and Rickon out of their trance, and they both turned toward us.

Rickon spoke first, his voice calm but firm as he addressed Ricardo. “Whatever you’re doing, knock it off. Grayson said to stay away from her.”

I blinked at Rickon. He seemed… different. More composed. There was a weight to his words that wasn’t there before, like he’d finally shed the carefree arrogance he used to wear so easily Then he turned to me and said softly, “I’m really glad you’re back, Ava.”

Ricardo laughed, a sharp, mocking sound that made my skin crawl. “I need to choose better company. You’re all getting so serious these days,” he sneered.

I opened my mouth to retort, but the sound of Grayson’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “I told you to stay away fro her.”

My heart jumped at the sound of his voice, low and deadly. I turned to see him striding toward us, each step deliberate and menacing. It took him less than five strides to cross the room. Before I could react, he was there, pulling me close, his arm wrapping protectively around me.

Grayson’s glare locked onto Ricardo, who simply smiled back, that glint of madness still flickering in his eyes.

saying hello,” Ricardo said lazily, shrugging as if he hadn’t just been moments away from pushing me to the edg of a breakdown. “Reminding

words, I froze. My heart raced, and I felt Grayson’s grip on me tighten. He glanced down at

his voice low and full of

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Chapter 161

for a response, Grayson grabbed my hand,

tension in the room. “Bye, Lilian. I’ll come see you tomorrow—or

a weak

at my skin, but his hand was

him?” he asked, his one

willing my voice to stay steady. “He just told me he used to come here. To the county. He must have seen

Liar.

couldn’t afford to confront. I forced myself to meet his gaze. “It’s nothing I said softly. “And I’m

But then he sighed and nodded, his grip

was gentler as he led me back to the pack house. We passed by the door

into my room permanently later

spoke without looking at me. “I’ll have

say anything even though it was a huge progressive

me like it could shield me from everything—the memories, the voices, Ricardo. But no matter how tightly I

hall. The body lay still on the ground, eyes wide open as everyone stilled. My hands trembled, but I willed them to stop. I

“Ava.”

sound of my name snapped me back to reality as abruptly as I’d been pulled into the memory. I blinked, disoriented, and looked up to find Grayson watching me. His eyes flicked to my hands, which were still

voice too sharp

convinced. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he broke the silence with a statement that caught me

up. When Isabella mentioned it earlier, he’d brushed

to the edge of the bed but kept

end of it. But then he spoke again, his voice laced with disbelief and hurt. “Elaine and