The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 212

-Ava’s POV-

Ricardo’s smile stretched across his lips, but I still saw the dark gleam twinkle in his eyes, like he was savoring something had been waiting for my reaction, “Well, the universe must really be in my favor today, Ava Pierce, Or is it Blackwood?” He tapped his chin, pretending to think, “I did hear that things aren’t so cozy with you and His Highness right now. So, Pierce?

My eyes narrowed even further. His tone was dripping with sarcasm, and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to throttle him or just walk away, “I asked, what are you doing here?”

The smile didn’t falter, and he leaned back in his seat, his eyes glinting with amusement, “Same thing you are. Flying to Italy.”

“In coach?” I shot back, glancing at the cramped space around us.

He grinned, his teeth flashing white against the darker tone of his skin. “I’m a man of the people.”

The last part was said with a mocking lilt, as if his idea of ‘people‘ was anyone who wasn’t on his level,

Before I could reply, the voice overhead crackled to life, echoing through the cabin. “Attention, ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. We will be departing shortly.”

I didn’t need a second invitation. There was no way I was going to spend an eight–hour flight with Ricardo, not when every fiber of my being was telling me to get as far away from him as possible. But as much as I wanted to escape, I didn’t see a clear way out.

The voice repeated the announcement, this time more urgently, and a stewardess moved up the aisle. She stopped beside me and gave me a polite but firm smile. “Excuse me, miss, you’ll need to take your seat now. We’re preparing for departure.” “I was wondering if I could switch seats?” I asked quickly, glancing around, “Is there anyone willing to trade with me?”

The stewardess’s smile didn’t falter, but her voice held the same polite detachment that all airport employees seemed to have mastered, “I’m afraid it’s not up to me. However, if you’re able to find someone willing to swap, you’re welcome to do so. But you’ll need to sit down now.”

She turned away before I could say anything else, leaving me standing there, fuming. I glanced around the cabin, but my eyes instinctively landed on my mother, sitting a few rows ahead of me.

I sighed, the sound escaping my lips louder than I intended. I turned back to Ricardo, whose smile was still plastered on his face, and I didn’t miss the subtle glint of triumph in his eyes. The bastard was enjoying this.

“Fine,” I muttered, my voice low and tight. “But I don’t want you speaking to me. Not a word.”

His grin widened, almost like a predator savoring its prey before going in for the kill. “As you wish.”

strangle him. But, knowing I wouldn’t get far in this situation, I reluctantly sat down, forcing myself to buckle in and keep my hands steady. The sound of the seatbelt sign chiming above us seemed to amplify the weight of the moment, and I sat back, closing my eyes for a brief second, trying to push the tension in my

runway, I felt the tightness in my chest grow. I had been in tight spaces before–on private jets, in small rooms, but this? This was different. Ricardo’s presence felt

something else, anything else, but it was hard. Every time I glanced over, I saw his

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Chapter 212

from after Grayson pulled me away when he had made a

I guess I wouldn’t have been here

person I had been trying to poison that night.

a mess, bouncing between irritation and confusion. What the hell was he doing here? Was it really a coincidence, or was this something more

was still watching me. Even when I turned my body toward the window, hoping to

felt like an eternity, I finally broke the silence between us, my voice colder than ice,

“What makes you think I want anything from

together. “I don’t believe in

He leaned back, his

to help with what was happening with Grayson didn’t you say you

said smoothly. “And besides, I live in Italy. I am simply returning to my pack and my duties as an

unconvinced. “Spare me the act.

my nerves. “Don’t be so cold, Ava. You do

the window and shutting my eyes. Maybe if I pretended he wasn’t there, he’d take the hint and finally stop talking.

course, he didn’t.

what’s going on between you and Grayson?” he

with an easy smile, clearly unfazed. But, for once, he took the hint and

thought I could

throttle your

back. I survived twenty–five years, you can survive

the connection. I settled back into my seat, relieved for the brief distraction, but then Ricardo’s voice pulled me back

about the