The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 219

Chapter 219

-Grayson’s POV-

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“You really screwed up this time,” Isabella said, her voice cutting hrough the night air like a blade. “And you must know that because you didn’t ask for my help this time.”

I didn’t look away from the fountain. My hands rested on my knees, fingers clenched tight, but I didn’t move. I just watched

my head. the water ripple under the soft moonlight, trying to lose myself in the small waves, trying to quiet the chaos in

Ava had just ripped my world apart.

And it was worse than before. Worse than when I thought she had betrayed me. Worse than anything I’d ever felt.

Because this time, I knew the truth.

And yet, none of that mattered now. Not when Damien was still out there, watching us like we were pieces on his board. Not when Ava was in danger. Not when everything I had left was slipping between my fingers.

I finally turned my head and met Isabella’s gaze, “Do you have something to say? Remind me of everything I’ve done wrong? Because I’m not in the mood.”

She studied me, arms crossed, looking just as exhausted as I felt. And for the first time, I realized how much this was wearing on all of us. We all carried the same haunted expression now. Gone were the days when she had sat in her house, chewing loudly on some snack just to piss me off. Back then, everything had felt so much simpler even with things still being complicated between Ava and I.

She sighed and took a step forward. “I just promised Lilian that I wouldn’t do anything to make us mad at each other, so I’m just going to leave this here.”

She pulled out her phone and dropped it on the ledge of the fountain.

I glanced at it, then back at her but didn’t say anything.

“Are you seriously not going to check the screen?”

“If you’re not going to tell me what it is, I’m not-”

“Oh, for fk’s sake, Grayson.” Her tone sharpened, “Lilian just got a text. From Damien. Along with pictures of every single one of us. He’s watching us–right now, as we’re having this conversation, he’s watching. He said that with a single word, he can make any one of us a target if she doesn’t meet him alone.”

The words hit me like a sledgehammer to the chest.

Before my brain could fully catch up, I was already moving.

But Isabella grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks, “She hasn’t left yet. She’s inside. She said she was going to call her mother, but you and I both know she’s not calling anyone. She’s going.”

I clenched my jaw, “Where’s the location?”

“It’s on my screen.” She glanced at the phone. “I don’t know how you’re going to do this, but listen to me–Damien has eyes everywhere. You cannot let him know you’re following her. And you cannot let her know either.”

was already

been throwing yourself,” Isabella continued, her voice dropping lower, sharper. It needs to

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Chapter 219

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makes people tremble at the mere

echoed in

hell out

something inside

flipping, like a fire reigniting after being smothered

of her words settle deep my bones and all the things, of all the people that I thought would be the one

letting my emotions control me letting my anger and my grief weaken me.

No more.

scanning the location. A restaurant. Open space. Public. Damien wanted to talk first. He

time

started dialing as I turned to leave. But then, I paused and glanced

wait for a response. I was already making the call, my feet moving quickly, my brain clicking into place as the old me–the version of me I needed to remember I

this location in thirty minutes. No marked cars. No obvious surveillance. I want eyes on every entrance, exit, and every

the other end. Then, a voice

I want someone watching

“Got it.”

and immediately dialed another

the first ring,

send you the details of the restaurant. I want a live feed and access to any surveillance anyone else might have on site.”

that in fifteen.”

“Make it ten.”

ended the call and walked back to the car thr brought me here, my mind racing. Damien was too smart to come alone, which meant he had

was about to take

wouldn’t be using it not yet–but I needed to be

thought he was the one

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Chapter 219

He was wrong.

a firm cck. My driver glanced

back,” I ordered, my voice even, sharp, “I want a view of the house, but I don’t want to be seen.”

more concealed position behind a row of parked cars. From here, I had a

resting my elbow on the door as I watched,

I did–she wouldn’t wait the full

a direct challenge. A test to see if she’d comply. And Ava… Ava never could stand being backed into a corner.

gate. I barely noticed the way my other hand was clenched into a fist, the way my

Control.

Power.