The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 207

Chapter 207

-Grayson’s POV-

I snapped out of the shock, my heart hammering in my chest, the fire in my veins outpacing the fog in my mind. The factory loomed in front of me, engulfed in flames, its silhouette jagged line against the fiery backdrop. I didn’t think- couldn’t think. Every muscle in my body screamed to move, to get to her.

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I took a step toward the inferno, but suddenly, a hand seized my wrist, dragging me back. I spun around, ready to fight, to tear whoever dared stop me apart–then I saw Rickon’s face.

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“Grayson–no!” Rickon’s voice was harsh, his grip unrelenting. I glared at him, my body burning with the need to move and I was about to yank my hand free when Isabella’s shout pierced the chaos.

“Lilian!”

My eyes locked onto her, confusion twisting in my gut as I snapped my gaze back to the factory. Isabella was already running toward the scene, but I didn’t wait–couldn’t wait.

I was already moving again, the pain in my side, my ribs, nothing compared to the burning ache in my chest. I pushed past Rickon, feeling his frustration radiate behind me, but I didn’t care.

I reached the clearing just before Isabella did. There, scattered across the scorched earth, lay three bodies–twisted and broken. The flames licked at the edges of the factory’s remains, but my attention was consumed by them.

My eyes went straight to her. Ava. She was lying there, unconscious, her skin burned, her body battered. Her breathing was shallow, her face pale, and the sight of her like this–motionless–made every instinct in me flare.

Isabella reached her first, but I didn’t let myself think. I was already beside her, kneeling before Ava, my hands trembling as I brushed a lock of singed hair from her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open briefly, weak and unfocused.

“Ava,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

She tried to speak, but her voice was barely a whisper, weak and strained. “Maria…” She gasped, her eyes losing focus again. “I need… my father… Maria… he’s… dying…”

chest. The world tilted. I wasn’t sure if she even saw me, but the desperation in her voice was enough to send me into overdrive. Her body sagged in my arms as she passed out again, and the cold grip of fear sank deeper into my

But I acted.

fell against my shoulder, her body limp in my arms, and I could feel the weight of

sharp. “We need to get

the bodies on the ground–Luther and Evelyn Pierce, unconscious but alive. I really didn’t care about them right now. Ava was all that mattered

now, her voice desperate. “Lilian, she needs a

cradled Ava’s body close. “Just help me

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Chapter 207

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with frustration. “Rickon! Get people–now! We

sharp nod, he barked orders to his men. “Get them back to Grayson’s mansion. Secure the perimeter and make sure no

one of the cars, moving faster than I ever had. Elaine was still pale standing next to Monica, her face a mask of shock, but

The engine roared to life, and I closed my eyes, gripping her tighter. Her skin was warm under my touch, but my heart wasn’t settled. I

messed up.

drive a wedge between us. Ava never lied, never betrayed me. It was all in my head, and I knew that now. But realizing my mistake didn’t take away the pain, didn’t take away

had been right.

me knew that I had needed to survive being King. To build a reputation that had made me seem untouchable but I had lost sight of a lot

of me again if I wanted to keep my throne. If I wanted to make sure that I am never in this position of vulnerability ever again. If I was going to make Liam pay for

I had to do it as soon

what was going

she could never forgive me for tossing her

like I had

she never forgave me for not trusting her? For not believing

heart stuttered as I felt a rush of emotion at the touch, a connection so deep it almost hurt. It pulsed under my touch, and for a moment, I thought I could hear my wolf’s growl in my head, raw and desperate. It felt like he was reaching for me,

froze, unsure of what was happening, but I couldn’t focus on that. I had to focus on Ava. She was everything. I traced her face softly, and just as I touched the mark again, her lips parted. Her voice was barely a whisper,

word.

“M–Mate.”

then, just like that, she went