The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 197

-Grayson’s POV-

The triumphant smile returned to his face, sharp and self–satisfied. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Well, unfortunately for you, that’s a mystery you’ll die knowing you were never able to solve.”

“Die?” Elaine hiccuped, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. “Liam, you cannot be serious. I get it–you’re trying to prove a point, and Grayson hasn’t exactly been nice to any of us, but this… this isn’t the way. You can stop this. Please.” Her voice cracked as she pressed her hands against her stomach instinctively even though there was no child. “You can have my shares. I didn’t even know I had them in the first place. Just stop this and let us out. It’s–it’s so hot in here…” Her words dissolved into broken sobs as her body shook.

I kept my gaze on Liam, unmoving and unfeeling. “Let Elaine out,” I said flatly. “Your problem is with me. Just let her go. You want the company so bad? Fine, take it. Whatever you think the world has stolen from you and given to me–take it. But let her out.”

Liam let out a sharp scoff, shaking his head like I’d just said something utterly absurd. “Even now,” he spat, “even now, you refuse to climb down from your high horse. You’re not giving me anything, Grayson. I’m taking it. Every single thing I’ve worked for–everything I deserve–I’m finally taking it.”

“Good for you,” I replied dryly. “Now let her out. You want to kill me, go ahead. I don’t care. But let her out.”

Not like I had much left to live for, anyway. Ava would never forgive me for what I’d done to her. My wolf was gone. I wasn’t fit to be king, and truth be told, I didn’t even want to be anymore. The weight of that title had been suffocating me from the moment I was born. Whoever wanted the throne could have it. I didn’t care. I just wanted peace. I was tired–so damn tired.

Maybe Liam would be the one to give me that peace.

“Grayson, stop aggravating him,” Elaine pleaded, her voice desperate. She turned to Liam, tears streaming down her face. “Please. Stop this. I’m begging you, just stop!”

Liam’s cold, calculating gaze flicked to her, his lips curling into a mocking smirk. “Stop being so delusional, Elaine. Crying and begging isn’t going to save you. You’ve spent your entire life throwing tantrums, stomping your feet, and expecting the world to cater to you. You’re still that spoiled little girl who thinks tears will magically fix everything.”

Her sobs turned louder, her hands trembling as she clutched at her sides. “So everything we had… everything you said, every time you told me you cared about me… You were pretending? All of it?”

He tilted his head, feigning a thoughtful look before answering in a tone so nonchalant it cut like a blade. “Of course, I was pretending. You were easy to manipulate, Elaine. I told you what you wanted to hear, gave you just enough affection to keep you under control. It wasn’t hard. Someone like you? Starved for attention and love? You practically begged me to use you.” His words were ice–cold, cruelly precise.

Her wailing intensified, the sound bouncing off the walls. She looked utterly shattered. “You… you lied to me!” she choked out between sobs.

Liam sneered. “Oh, grow up, Elaine. You’re not a victim. You’re just pathetic.”

unreadable but his tone sharp. “You’re

disinterest. “I’m not wondering. Whatever grand revelation you’re about to make… save it.

Chapter 197

quickly recovered, his smile turning almost gleeful. “Well, I’ll tell you anyway. You’re both drugged. That sluggish, heavy feeling? That’s all thanks to

from

with himself, he turned away and started walking

raw and broken. She tried to push herself up, but her body betrayed her, trembling weakly as she fell back. “Let us out of here! Please, don’t do this!” Her

hand gripped the doorframe as he turned slightly, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. “I would say this has been

stepped out, closing the vault shut behind him, leaving only the sound

space.

filled the suffocating silence of the room, each one twisting the knife

I would have accepted that, would have resigned myself to this as my punishment for all the mistakes I’d made, if Elaine wasn’t

breathe properly, let alone form a coherent plan. My body felt

at her. “Elaine,” I said hoarsely, my

her tear–streaked face twisted with rage. “Not worth it?” she spat, her voice sharp

answer. What could I

hitting me like a physical blow. “Do you hear me? All of this is on

letting her words hang in the air

fury, “none of this would be happening right

came out. There was

anger spilled over like a dam breaking, and I sat there, letting it drown me. “Liam was right,” she said bitterly. “You do treat everyone like garbage. You’ve always treated me like garbage! You didn’t care about me, about anyone,

but I didn’t interrupt her. I didn’t try to defend

through, but it doesn’t! We’ve all been through things, Grayson! You’re not special! And instead of being the person you used to be–the person I trusted–you

Chapter 197

than the