The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 214

-Ava’s POV-

“I seriously cannot stand you. I CANNOT stand you.”

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Ricardo only laughed harder, the sound rich and unapologetic, like he found endless amusement in my suffering. His complete and utter lack of remorse made my wolf growl in frustration, and I had to physically stop myself from lunging across the narrow space to claw his smug face off.

“You lot are so gullible,” He said, shaking his head as he leaned back in his seat, stretching out like he owned the damn plane. “You should’ve seen your face. Priceless.” He sighed, still grinning. “You all couldn’t and can’t find her, so you expect me, someone who had zero interest in the entire Sudoku puzzle you call a life, to magically know where she is? Comedic.”

1 clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, “There is something seriously wrong with you. Extremely wrong with you.”

Ricardo smirked, tilting his head like he was considering it, “So I’ve been told. And not just something. A lot of things. Actually-

everything.”

I inhaled sharply, forcing myself to look away. “Do. Not. Speak to me for the rest of this flight.” I waved a hand at him, “You are so–so infuriating.”

His grin only widened, “Sounds like the start of a love–hate relationship.”

I scoffed, “Over my dead body.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough to make my skin prickle. “Careful what you wish for, Ava.”

The way he said it made something in my chest tighten. For a brief moment, I met his gaze, and it took everything in me not to flinch. Ricardo’s eyes were always hard to read–not entirely void of emotion but filled with too many emotions at once, all layered over one another like a shifting kaleidoscope of madness.

I turned away, fixing my stare on the dark sky outside the window, telling myself to zone him out. Just ignore him. Pretend he wasn’t here. Pretend I was somewhere else, on a plane with anyone but him-

And then, of course, he opened his mouth again.

“We never got to finish our conversation that day,” Ricardo mused. “You know–the one where you were planning to poison someone. Who was it you were trying to kill?” He tilted his head, studying me with a mocking sort of curiosity, “Or should I take a lucky guess?”

I didn’t answer.

Ricardo’s smile turned sharp, “Let’s see… The person is currently sitting on this plane.” He tapped a finger against his chin, pretending to think, Evelyn Pierce? And might I add that I see it now. I finally see where you get your looks from. I wonder

I whipped my head toward him, glaring, “What will it take for you to shut up?”

His eyes gleamed mischievously, and he wiggled his brows suggestively. “You sure you want me to answer that?”

I wrinkled my nose in disgust. “You are insufferable.”

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Chapter 214

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He laughed like I had just paid him the highest compliment.

*Fine, fine. Since you clearly can’t handle my charming company, I’ll leave you alone.” He placed a

bait, but I still asked,

dangerously intimate. His voice dipped low, smooth as silk yet dripping with something twisted

game with

scoffed, turning away again,

dramatically, as if I had just crushed his poor, fragile feelings, “That’s unfortunate. Because if I don’t entertain myself soon,

I didn’t respond.

told me it would be fun to have you kidnapped just to see how fast Grayson would come

My body stiffened.

pleased by my reaction, “No hard

my head slightly, just enough to shoot him a murderous glare, “There are many, many hard feelings.”

was hoping we’d have

back to the window. The steady hum of the engines filled the space between

But then-

know, you’re no fun when you’re like this,” Ricardo drawled, shifting lazily in his seat like he had all the time in the world. His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was an edge underneath–a

I ignored him.

on, Ava,” He pressed, drumming his fingers on the armrest between

even

an exaggerated sigh, but I could hear the smirk still laced in his voice, “Fine. Silent treatment it is. But don’t blame

to react. I refused to let him get to me. But in the back of my mind, I

to complete the thought.

eye, I caught something–movement. Something sharp and glinting in the dim airplane

in time to see his claws extending from his fingertips, slow and

Chapter 214

hitched, “What the hell

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head slightly, his eyes gleaming with something far too amused, “My wolf is bored. He feels

out.”

my nails dug into his skin. His claws grazed against my palm, slicing deep enough to draw blood,

airplane, Ricardo. With humans. On a

low, urgent. “Are you

His lips twitched.

crazy. But seriously, knock it off. This isn’t funny. You know what will happen if

“Hmm. I suppose that would be a little inconvenient.” His claws flexed, gleaming

jaw locked, “You wouldn’t

His grin widened.

are afraid to die.” His voice dipped lower, rich and smooth like poisoned honey, “And I? I have lived a

I knew better than to call his bluff–because with Ricardo, Grayson had told me enough

game?” I

if we were simply two friends sharing a casual chat, “Ah, finally. See, that wasn’t so hard, was

I didn’t answer.

stretching his arms above his head. “Alright, here’s sort of

“That’s not psychotic.”

but it is when I play

began, voice laced with a

in his tone

my

stomach twist.

watching me like a

I said stiffly. “You go

elbows resting on his knees, and when he