The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 171

Chapter 171

-Grayson’s POV-.

‘Lie

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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.

breath, her exhaustion evident. “Honestly? I was looking forward to staying in bed all day, but Isabella had 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 at the last part.

“then we’ll get food. What do you

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

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

nervously. “It’s just a saying,” she assured me quickly. “I’m not pregnant. I’ve been taking pills to

words settled uneasily in my chest, guilt creeping in. We hadn’t revisited the conversation

Jan

Chapter 171

happened since then, and even now, as I thought about it again, I couldn’t bring myself to change my stance. Not even

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

like a carnival. Bright lights and colorful tents dotted the area,

her body practically buzzing with excitement. “No,” I said firmly, anticipating her next words. “We’re not going in there. We’re getting food and

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

relaxed, and I turned the car toward the entrance. The grin she shot me was worth every bit of exasperation I felt.

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 out as they darted

up as she took it all in, her excitement palpable. She grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the nearest food stand.

as she stopped to stare at a row of oversized stuffed

am,” she said, her gaze fixated on a

a small chuckle escaping me. “Do you

was stepping up to the booth. The game was a simple ring toss, but the odds were clearly stacked against the players. Still, I wasn’t about to let that

rings with a knowing smirk, clearly expecting me to fail. But after a few well–aimed throws, the smirk vanished, replaced by a

he

handed it to her. She hugged it to her chest, beaming up at me.

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

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

unconcealed disgust. I’m not eating anything from here,” I muttered, taking a

face 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 of the

but firm. “Ava, I don’t eat street food. It’s unhygienic. Who knows