The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 182

Chapter 162

Ava’s POV-

“Find my fated mate.”

Those four words echoed in my mind, reverberating so loudly that they seemed to shake the very foundation of my soul. I felt their weight, sharp and cold, as though they were slicing through me.

Grayson let out a heavy sigh, pulling me into his lap. His strong arms encircled me, and despite the chaos in my mind, I couldn’t deny how safe I felt in his embrace. Maybe, under different circumstances, I would have focused on how comfortable and secure this position made me feel. But right now?

I wasn’t his fated mate.

That realization settled heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe. I’d never considered this before–not once. Dylan had been mine, my fated mate, but that bond had been severed, and Grayson was my second chance. Somehow, through everything, I had convinced myself that we were it–that the story was meant to be about us but this changed everything, He had a fated máte out there somewhere.

The words stumbled from my lips before I could stop them. “Do you… do you know who she is? Or where she is?”

My voice trembled despite my best efforts to stay composed. The thought of losing him, of him leaving me, was unbearable.

Grayson’s eyes softened as he brushed a strand of hair away from my face. His touch was gentle, reassuring. “Listen to me,” he said, his tone firm but tender. “I’ll find another way to break this curse. I don’t plan on finding her or mating with her. Do you understand?”

I nodded weakly, but the tears I hadn’t even realized were falling betrayed me. My hand shot up to wipe them away, but he pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me so tightly that it felt like he was trying to merge us into one.

“It’s me and you,” he murmured against my hair. “No predestiny, no curse, nothing is going to change that,”

I wanted to believe him. No, I needed to believe him. The thought of a reality where he wasn’t mine was too painful to accept. I already knew I loved him. With every fiber of my being. I loved him even though I couldn’t find the right time to say it. It was why I’d thrown myself in front of him without a second thought, why I’d put myself in danger to protect him.

The word I thought I heard my wolf whisper when I fell backwards was: Mate but now I knew I had just heard what I wanted

to.

It wasn’t possible. It wasn’t true. I wasn’t his fated mate, but as I felt his hands pull me even closer, holding me as though I was the most precious thing in the world, I had never felt more like I belonged.

me a second to realize it

to my face as I pulled away, embarrassed. Grayson raised an amused brow, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Technically, we haven’t

名

out a shaky laugh, feeling some of the

me on the bed as though I weighed nothing.

asked, watching him curiously

21 •

Chapter 162

with that rare, soft look he

dinner.”

made me laugh, a single tear slipping down ly cheek from the remnants

“Breakfast, then.”

His grip was firm but gentle, and I couldn’t help but feel warmth spread through me. Together, we walked out of the room and down the quiet hallways. The only sounds were our footsteps and the occasional nod

two warriors standing outside. They

turned back to him that I noticed the faint smile playing on his lips. It wasn’t a frown or a neutral expression. He

kitchen door, revealing the massive, empty space. Without the Omegas bustling around, it felt even larger than usual.

about this,” I teased, unable

he stepped closer, pulling me to him again. His hands found my waist, and before I could protest, he lifted me and set

squeal, giggling as I tried to

his voice low but full of warmth.

ease. It was fascinating, seeing this side of him–the softer, domestic side he didn’t let anyone else see.

you making?” I asked after a while, my curiosity getting the

“You’ll see.”

with practiced precision as he

to see what he was doing. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye but didn’t

to be an omelet?” I teased, noting the slightly uneven mixture he

to glance at me. “Careful, or you’ll end

him playfully.

€

something softer, more serious. For a