The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 177

Chapter 177

-Ava’s POV

I wasn’t even going to pretend I wasn’t panicking or scared. This person–whoever they were–had killed Alphas. They’d slaughtered multiple people just to get to Grayson. And now, after shooting him, I was next. The thought churned in my stomach, making me feel sick.

I didn’t want to die.

“Ava, are you even listening to me?”

His calm but firm voice pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. I blinked, turning my gaze to him. For a second, I considered lying, but there was no point. “No,” I admitted softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

That was when I noticed my hands trembling uncontrollably in my lap. We’d left the hospital an hour ago and were now sitting in the back of one of Grayson’s cars. The driver was silent, focused on the road, while the soft hum of the engine filled the space between us.

Grayson reached out, his larger hand covering mine. The warmth and steady pressure grounded me, and I looked up to find his sharp, piercing eyes on mine. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Do you understand?” His voice was low, but it carried a weight that settled in my chest.

For some reason, I believed him instantly. Maybe it was the certainty in his tone or the way his touch steadied my hands. I nodded, murmuring, “Okay.”

But the next words out of his mouth threw me off completely. “When we get back to the estate, we’re grabbing your things. I’m transferring you to my safe house.”

I whipped my head toward him so fast it made me dizzy. “What

“You heard me,” he said evenly, leaning back against the seat. His expression didn’t falter, calm and composed as ever, like this was already decided and I had no say in the matter.

“No,” I said firmly. The trembling in my hands was gone now, replaced by something fiercer–determination. “I might be scared, Grayson, but I’m not going to let some psychopath with a vendetta force me into hiding like some kind of animal. I’m not running away.”

He sighed, a long, slow exhale as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Ava, listen to me-”

words spilling out before I could stop them. “I know this situation is dangerous. I know you’re just trying to protect me, but I can’t–I won’t–be locked

up for debate,” he said, his tone steady but unyielding. “I cannot risk it. If they’re willing to kill random people just to

hit like a punch to the gut because I knew he was right, Deep down, I knew going back to the hospital would put more lives at risk. But the thought of being hidden away, cut off

this isn’t about what you want. It’s about what’s necessary. You think

Wed, Jan 29

Chapter 177

it

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house, I’ll go mad. I can’t just sit there, waiting for something

but there was an edge to it now, a quiet intensity that made the air between us feel heavier. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to know that someone out there wants you dead and not be able to do anything about it?”

softly, my voice breaking just

you,” he replied, his gaze steady

in my head. I didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. If I went back to work, I wouldn’t just be putting myself at risk–I’d be

it,” I said finally, breaking the silence. “I understand why you want to do this, and I know you’re right about the hospital. I can’t go back. But I can’t be locked up, Grayson. I just… I

moment, his gaze searching mine. Finally, he let out another sigh; his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. “Alright,” he said. “If you can’t handle being in a safe house, then we’ll do it another way. I’ll hire more men–ones whose sole purpose will be to

frowned. “That feels

proven they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. If you’re

slowly, though the thought of being shadowed by a team of guards everywhere I went wasn’t exactly comforting., “What about the hospital?” I asked, even though I already knew the

but his voice remained steady. “You can’t go back. Not now. It’s too dangerous–not just for you, but for everyone else. I know

his words settled over me, and I nodded again, this time more firmly. “Okay.

us eased just a little, and I felt the tightness in

control you, Ava,” he said

made my heart ache, but I pushed the feeling aside. “I know. And I’m not trying to fight

listening,” he said, his

slowed as we approached the estate, and I felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension. This wasn’t the life I wanted, but it was the

turned to me. “We’ll figure this out. One step at a