The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 165

Grayson’s POV-

I wanted to be mad at Liam, especially after I asked, “How long and he replied, “Three months.” That was a month longer than when Ava and I had been sent into that cursed world.

At first, his words burned through me like fuel to an already raging fire, but then something unexpected happened. I realized I didn’t want to feel that way anymore. I didn’t want to keep replaying the issues in my head, holding onto the anger that clawed at me like a beast. I didn’t want to keep looking for fights, whether it was with Luther, Liam, or anyone else.

There was enough weighing me down already–an entire realm to shoulder as the Alpha King, the curse in my bloodline – that needed to be broken, and whoever had gone quiet after the killing spree. And maybe, just maybe, it was a good thing

my wolf wasn’t here right now to growl in disapproval of my sudden desire for peace.

Because that was all I wanted.

Peace.

And Ava… she made me feel it. When she was near, the weight on my chest didn’t press as hard. The darkness didn’t seem as suffocating. She made me feel lighter, and for that, I was willing to try. To focus on something resembling normalcy, even if it felt foreign to me.

That’s why I showed up at the hospital. Not just to check on her after her meeting with her superior–I had already decided what would happen if it didn’t go well. If he fired her, I would pull every resource at my disposal to shut the hospital down. I wouldn’t care about collateral damage or who would be affected The moment I saw a frown on her face, I would act.

But instead of charging in like a storm, I remembered Isabella’s annoying voice echoing in my head, as she always seemed to know what I needed to hear. “Just show up.”

So, I left everything behind. To Liam’s credit, he had been keeping things in order, which gave me the time to come here.

When Ava met me outside, the grin on her face was enough to make the

everything worth it so I said the first thing that popped up and it was thWorld stop. It was the kind of smile that made

I was

taking her to lunch.

The remodeled restaurant wasn’t my first choice, but it felt appropriate. Just because I was trying to play nice didn’t mean people didn’t need occasional reminders of consequences for disobedience.

Ava’s soft laughter pulled me out of my thoughts as she looked up at the building.

“My mother is going to be so pissed,” she giggled.

I extended my hand to her but didn’t say anything. That was the reason I had bought it in the first place.

She took my hand, her smaller fingers fitting perfectly in mine, and I led her inside.

by the entrance, his tie notably absent. The sight brought a faint smile to my lips. His expression faltered the moment his eyes landed on me. He swallowed hard and approached us, his movements

didn’t realize you’d be coming

the restaurant. The once overly extravagant decor had been replaced with something simpler, more refined. The false pretense that had clung to this place like

Thu. Jan

Chapter 165

honest elegance.

asked Ava, my attention

the undercurrent of terision. “I love it. It’s really beautiful”

relief washing over his face.

restaurant but paused midway. “I’m sorry Mr Blackwood, but all the VIP tables

those

always in positions where everyone can `see you. It feels like being

table is fine.”

us to a cozy corner table. As he walked away, Ava turned her gaze to me, a knowing

do to

tilted my

smirk. “He was practically shaking while he stood near you.

for the menu. “I didn’t say anything to

scanned the options before she let out

rectify the oversight, but she continued, her voice

just never went down well with all the stares.” She glanced up at me, her cheeks tinting slightly. “I don’t mind if I order more than one dish, do I?”

finish the sentence. I already knew. Evelyn Pierce had never let her order more than

twisted at the thought.

be locked forgotten. Mine had hit me. Hers hadn’t, but they’d done something worse. They’d forced her to put up a facade that placed

away

and

note to revisit my list of eventual punishments. There

I said, my tone softening as I leaned forward. “You can order as much as you want. Everything

like.”

small smile tugged at her lips. “That’s

so.

the world outside

UY.OT

ת‘

מון

C2