The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 192

Chapter 192

Chapter 192

-Ava’s POV-

That was two weeks ago.

In that time, I had tried countless times to tell Tessa and Mikayla that I didn’t want to impose, that I didn’t want to be a burden. But every time, they shut me down with quiet reassurance, insisting that I wasn’t one.

They never asked about what had happened, never pried. But something in Tessa’s eyes that first night–some understanding I couldn’t name–must have told her that I needed this. That I needed them.

So, I stayed.

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We quickly fell into a routine. Every morning, Tessa would struggle to drag Mikayla out of bed. Mikayla, of course, fought tooth and nail to stay wrapped up in her blanket, muttering complaints about how school was overrated or how she could become a millionaire without math. It was always a struggle but always funny–a small, warm distraction that became the highlight of my mornings.

As I watched them day after day, that warmth grew into something more. A thought began to take root in my mind, one that refused to be ignored: I wanted this someday. I wanted these small struggles, this love wrapped in bickering and laughter.

This was what I could look forward to, I realized. This was what I wanted for

my child.

The conviction settled deeper with each passing day. I wanted this baby growing inside me, and I would love them with everything I had. I would never become my parents. From the moment they took their first breath, my child would know they were wanted, enough, and deeply loved.

Each morning, Mikayla begrudgingly got ready for school after much prodding from Tessa. We’d all leave together because Tessa owned a food truck, and I’d started helping her with it. It wasn’t much, but it kept my mind busy.

I called Isabella only once during that time. I kept it brief, telling her I was fine but that I needed space for a while. I didn’t want to hear anything about Grayson or my life back home. I didn’t tell her about the baby–I wasn’t ready for that conversation.

For now, all I wanted was to live simply. To pretend, even just for a little while, that I was someone else entirely. If there was one thing I’d perfected over the years, it was pretending.

“Ava, can you help me with this?”

Tessa’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I plastered on a smile and hurried over to help her with the heavy container she was struggling to carry.

“Thanks,” she said, glancing at me with a hint of concern. “You okay?”

“I’m

studied me for a moment

its usual spot, and the familiar smell of bacon, eggs, and fresh coffee filled the

hash browns!”

Wed, 5 Feb

Chapter 192

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glancing at the small chalkboard menu. “Can I get

into the small tablet and handing

chatted while waiting for their orders, others hurriedly grabbed their food and rushed off.

group and turned to grab more napkins when I heard a voice behind

cappuccino and a blueberry

I froze mid–step.

That voice.

a shaky breath before slowly turning around. My eyes landed on Isabella, her face

smiled, her tone light but pointed. “Hi,

Without waiting for a reply, I turned to prepare

took it from me, her fingers brushing mine briefly. Her eyes never

to Eliza, whose expression was

answer, Isabella laughed. It wasn’t a warm laugh; it was sharp, cutting, and devoid of humor. “I thought she was going to pretend she

letting out a sigh. “Bels, please,” I said

clear. “Hey! Can you stop holding up the line? Some of

ready to apologize, but Tessa appeared at my

say no, to dismiss it and move on, but Isabella beat me to it. She smiled, the same practiced smile I’d seen her use a thousand times before, and addressed Tessa directly. “I was just hoping to borrow your employee for a tiny moment. It won’t take long, I

furrowing slightly. She could sense something was off, and I shook my head almost imperceptibly.

of customers to serve,” Tessa began cautiously, clearly

to me, her smile vanishing, “I’ll give you three seconds to come out of this truck, or so help me, I’ll march

as though she wanted to

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Chapter 192

to protest, but I cut her off. “It’s fine,” I said quickly. I wasn’t fine, but I also knew Isabella wasn’t bluffing. I

looking like she wanted to argue, but she must have seen something in my expression because she simply nodded. I turned to Isabella, my stomach churning, and stepped out of the food truck. The cold morning air hit me like a slap,

crowd?” I asked, trying to keep my voice

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