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.”

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

tight spaces before–on private jets, in small rooms, but this? This was different. Ricardo’s presence felt suffocating, like he was taking up more

something else, anything else, but it was hard. Every

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Chapter 212

Grayson pulled me away when he had made a memory I had

I had refused to think about because I guess I wouldn’t have been here with my mother

the person I had been trying

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

the feeling that Ricardo was still watching me. Even when I turned my body

eternity, I finally broke the silence between us, my voice colder than

flicked to me, his grin never faltering. “What makes you think I want anything

teeth together. “I don’t believe in

you now?” He leaned

with Grayson didn’t you say you were extremely occupied and you weren’t in the state?” I pressed, my voice low, but

doesn’t die easily,” He said smoothly. “And besides, I live in

eyes, unconvinced. “Spare me the act.

nerves. “Don’t be so cold, Ava. You do not want to become Grayson or even worse, your

window and shutting my eyes. Maybe if I pretended he

course,

want to talk about what’s going on between you and

clenched, and I turned to glare at him. He met my gaze with an easy smile, clearly

between us, and just when I thought I could finally have some peace, I felt Isabella’s

will throttle your mother.

and sent a message back. I survived twenty–five years, you can survive eight hours.

seat, relieved for the brief distraction, but then Ricardo’s voice pulled

the