The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 171

Chapter 171

-Grayson’s POV-.

‘Lie

4413

The voice in my head was quiet but insistent, and so I did. Not because it was noble or just, but because the truth would do more harm than good. I couldn’t tell Ava about the sister she never knew she had, the one taken at birth. I couldn’t tell her that that sister was my fated mate–the key to breaking the curse because I knew her too well.

Ava would never let it go. She’d dig, question, and fight until the truth unraveled everything we had. I lied to protect her, to protect what we’d built. And yet, despite her belief in my words, she had gone completely silent the moment we got into the

car.

“Are you okay?” I asked, breaking the thick silence.

She jumped slightly at the sound of my voice, turning her head from the window she had been staring out of. Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, she replied, “Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about what you told me. So, my ancestors really turned away your ancestor, the one who started the curse?”

If my wolf were present, I knew he’d growl in disapproval at the lie I had told her–and.the further twisting of it now. But I couldn’t help it. I really didn’t like her family so any chance to paint them as bad, I would take it, and their absurd way of “helping” had led to even greater tragedy.

“I guess there were a lot of Luthers and Evelyn Pierces back then I said, attempting a lighthearted joke.

She sighed instead, her expression darkening. “So my family was awful even back then. Sometimes I wish…” Her voice trailed off, and she hesitated. “Sometimes I wish I’d been born into a completely different life.”

I didn’t know how to respond. Sixteen years ago, I had made that same wish countless times–to be free of the burdens of the throne, and the unrelenting expectations. So I didn’t respond with words. Instead, I reached over, threading my fingers through hers and holding her hand as I kept my eyes on the road.

It was Saturday, which meant we only had today and tomorrow before she had to return to work, and I had to immerse myself in meetings that would undoubtedly drive me mad. The thought of losing this quiet time with her, however heavy it felt now, pushed me to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“What do you want to do today?” I asked.

to ruin that. And now I’m starving because I never got to eat lunch yesterday. Oh, and I’m pretty sure you helped my body burn off dinner in record time.” She laughed softly

I said, “then

stomach dramatically. “Anything and everything” she declared. “I could eat for two people

the steering wheel. The words shouldn’t have meant anything–they were just

my reaction, Ava laughed nervously. “It’s just a saying,” she assured me quickly. “I’m not pregnant. I’ve been taking pills to make sure it stays that

uneasily in my chest, guilt creeping in. We hadn’t

Jan zo

Chapter 171

So much had happened since then, and even now, as I thought about it again, I couldn’t bring myself to change my stance. Not even after Liam’s pointed comments about needing an

she glanced out the window. “What’s going on there?”

streaming into what looked like a carnival. Bright lights and colorful tents dotted the

“No,” I said firmly, anticipating her next words. “We’re not going in

pout that she knew was my weakness. “My parents never let me go to carnivals as a child plus there will be food in there,”

dragging a hand down my face. “That was low, Ava,” I said, but my grip on the wheel relaxed, and I turned the car toward the entrance. The grin

stepped out of the car, the sounds, smells, and energy of the carnival enveloped us. The scent of fried food mingled with the sweet aroma of cotton candy, and children’s laughter rang

lit up as she took it all in, her excitement palpable. She grabbed my

teased as she stopped to stare at

said, her gaze fixated on a giant white

her gaze, a small chuckle escaping me. “Do you want it?”

simple ring toss, but the odds were clearly stacked against the players. Still, I wasn’t

a knowing smirk, clearly expecting me to fail. But after a few well–aimed throws,

he said

as I grabbed the white wolf plush and handed it to her. She hugged

food stand, I found myself just following her because if I didn’t want too,

steaming array of food on display. “I want that one,” she said with a grin, tapping the glass over a pile of fried dumplings that looked

food, my face contorting in unconcealed disgust. I’m not

me, her hands on her hips. “What do you mean you’re not eating? You can’t say no to street food–it’s part

don’t eat street food. It’s unhygienic. Who knows how long that stuff has been sitting