The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 239

-Grayson’s POV-

I was wrong.

It wasn’t an execution–well, it couldn’t be if I could still hear the pounding in my head as I pushed myself up from wherever it was that I was now. My limbs ached like I had been dragged through fire and ice, my senses slowly sharpening as I fought off the disorientation.

I blinked my eyes open, expecting to see Evelyn because we had been attacked together but instead, I saw Rickon lying still. Unconscious. His chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, but unmoving.

How did he get here?

A rustling sound pulled my attention away, my gaze shifting across the dimly lit space. Maria was there, her form still and quiet, and then Luther–his massive frame undisturbed, locked in an unnatural sleep. Evelyn was next. Elaine. Isabella. And then-

Ava.

The moment my eyes landed on her, the pain in my head became insignificant. Or maybe it didn’t, but my focus had shifted completely. Nothing else mattered in that instant but getting to Ava. I pushed myself up, shaking off the sluggishness in my limbs as I moved toward her.

At least I wasn’t numb this time.

Then, like a sharp crack in the otherwise eerie silence, a voice filtered through the air–light, mocking, familiar.

“Somehow, I knew you would be the first to awaken.”

I stilled for half a second, my eyes scanning the room before I realized something–Crystal wasn’t here with us. Her voice surrounded me, but she wasn’t among the unconscious bodies.

I didn’t respond. I didn’t waste time searching for her either. She wasn’t important–not now. Ava was.

“You know,” Crystal’s voice carried that same saccharine sweetness that had always felt like nails on a chalkboard, “you and I have never really gotten the chance to talk. Actually, you and I have never officially met.”

I reached Ava, kneeling beside her. My fingers pressed against her pulse point, the steady beat beneath my touch releasing a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. She was breathing fine. Alive. I carefully turned her body so she wasn’t putting too much pressure on her stomach.

She looked so–peaceful. It was unnerving.

“I’m Crystal, by the way,” She continued, unfazed by my lack of response. “Not sure if I can be called Crystal Cross. I usually went Myers just for show. Damien never really–well, he never actually adopted me, so it’s just Crystal. In case you needed a recap, I’m your precious Ava’s long lost sister.”

I ignored her. My attention remained solely on Ava, studying her face, the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

Crystal sighed, dramatic and exaggerated. “Oh, you really do love her, don’t you?” She let out a light laugh, like this was amusing to her. “Seems like only yesterday when she did that whole scene to get you to get her out of that marriage with Dylan. Ah, how time flies.”

Still, I refused to acknowledge her.

we

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Chapter 239

Mar

voice seemed strongest. My patience was already thin, and if she thought she could toy with me,

don’t you just skip all the

circumstances were different, I could have been your mate, you know?” Her voice was still teasing, but there was something sharper underneath it. “I heard you

Silence.

didn’t take the bait.

“Then I suppose I’ll just wait for everyone else

beneath my skin, but I forced myself

the air thick with anticipation. Then, slowly, a shift.

others were starting to

groaned softly, disoriented. Then Isabella let out a sharp inhale, eyes snapping

they

across her face. Maria gasped softly, her hand instinctively

however, remained still.

the sleep

his elbows. His gaze flickered around the room

the hell…?” He muttered,

him, my attention snapping back to Ava as she let out the softest sigh. Her fingers twitched, then her breathing changed, deeper, more

her eyelids fluttered

exhaled, something loosening in my chest.

up at me, dazed, confused. I could see the questions forming behind her eyes

name

voice softer than usual. Then, a flicker of confusion. “What’s happening?”

of them slowly regaining their bearings, realization dawning on

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Chapter 239

I said simply. “And Crystal and

her gaze darting around the room.

here,” I muttered. “But she’s watching. And she wants

from where she sat, her eyes still slightly

waiting for everyone to wake up,”

out a humorless laugh, “That doesn’t sound ominous at all.”

+5

slowly, and instinctively, I reached out, steadying her. She didn’t protest. Instead, she glanced toward Luther’s

before her eyes landed on me, “When does it ever end? I mean if he wants to kill us why