The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 282

-Ava's POV-

The silence between us stretched, heavy and awkward. Elaine glanced around the hallway, her fingers twitching at her sides like she was debating whether to keep talking or walk away. Finally, she let out a breath and said, "You know... this is exactly how we first met."

I blinked, taken off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. My eyes flickered around the hallway before landing back on her, unsure of where she was going with this.

She continued, "Right here, in this hallway. Where I told you to count your days."

I let out a short, humorless laugh, "Well, you asked me where I crawled out from first. And then you told me to count my days."

Elaine sighed, rubbing her temple, "Right. That is what I said."

She cleared her throat, like she was preparing to say something else, but then her gaze flickered around again—like she was looking for something, or maybe... someone. Her expression shifted, something sad passing over her features before she looked down at the floor and went quiet.

I didn't say anything either.

Because I didn't know what to say.

Yes, we had a moment in Italy. But that was different. We had been drowning in chaos, not knowing if we were going to survive. Maybe, in that moment, we had just needed something-a pause, an understanding, even if it was fleeting.

But now?

Now that we had made it through the storm and the world was suddenly quiet again, now that she wasn't pulling stunts or trying to remind me how much she hated me, it was... different.

And it was awkward.

Because no matter how still everything was, it was impossible to forget the things she had done.

The things she and Monica had put me through.

Elaine broke the silence first, "When we were little, Grayson and I were really close."

I stiffened at the mention of his name, but she didn't notice. Or maybe she did, but didn't care.

"He used to hide out in my room so his father wouldn't find him," She continued, a small, wistful smile tugging at her lips, "I made him watch Cinderella. And then we went on to watch all the other princess movies. He pretended to hate them, but he loved them. He always wanted to know how they ended."

I swallowed, something twisting in my chest at the thought of Grayson, as a boy, watching fairytales while his world was nothing like one.

"He was still going to be Alpha King," Elaine murmured. "But back then... things were simple. Easier."

She had that faraway look in her eyes now, the kind that saw memories instead of reality.

"And then the fire killed my parents," She whispered. "And I watched it happen." The air in the hallway shifted.

Colder.

Heavier.

He changed. I changed. I used to be happy, you know? Really, truly happy. And then suddenly, the only thing I knew was pain and hurt and sadness, and I-"Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard before pushing on. "I let that become me. And because I was miserable, I had to

too."

laugh, shaking her head. "And Grayson... it was like

I remained silent, listening.

tell him I wished I was as beautiful as a Disney princess," She went on, her voice quieter now, like she was unearthing something she hadn't spoken about in a long time. "And he would play with my hair and

Her lips trembled.

day, it was like I wasn't even there anymore. Like he didn't see me at all. And even though it didn't feel like I existed, I didn't think he found anyone more beautiful until

I stiffened.

out another bitter laugh, "And well... you

I stayed quiet, waiting.

"And I was jealous."

but she didn't

to see me again. I wanted someone to see me. And then I saw the way he looked at you-with that

she had been holding

then she whispered, "But I had

felt my

now, her hands curling into

to be a mother. I had a family. And

Her voice broke completely.

me the entire

to wipe the tears from her face, but they kept falling. "And I-" She shook her head, squ shut. "I can't even begin to

g her eyes

stared at

so long, she had been cruel. For so long, she had been the source of my

2/4

Chapter 282

finally telling

know what

had to

even if

"If Liam really did care about you if he wasn't working

I met her gaze.

"Would you have stopped?"

Elaine froze.

She opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

I thought she wasn't going to answer.

going to tell me what I wanted

But then-

"I don't know."

followed and it stretched between us,

was staring at the floor, jaw clenched, shoulders tight, fingers twitching

barely above a whisper, she said, "Maybe that's why things happened the way they