The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 281 Chapter 281

-Ava's POV

"Can you check again? I just want to make sure that everything is alright."

Dr. Monroe, the gynecologist I had practically moved in with at my parents' hospital ever since we got back-or rather, survived all that chaos-shot me an exasperated look over the rim of her glasses.

"I have told you, Ava," She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as if summoning the patience of the gods. "Just like I told you yesterday. And the day before that. And the day before that. And what I will probably still have to tell you tomorrow- the babies are fine."

I pursed my lips, "Are you sure? Because-"

Her eyes narrowed. A warning.

I clamped my mouth shut and pushed myself to sit up, sighing dramatically, "Fine. Okay. But are you absolutely sure you don't-"

"You finish that sentence, and I'm kicking you out of here."

"Well, that's just unprofessional," I huffed, sliding off the examination table.

She shook her head, muttering something under her breath that I was sure was not flattering.

Then her voice softened, "I haven't had the chance to tell you how sorry I am about your father. I can't imagine how hard it must be."

Just like that, the teasing was gone. The weight slammed back into my chest, sudden and suffocating. I turned to her and forced a smile, but I couldn't bring myself to say anything.

Her expression flickered with understanding, "I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. Really." The words felt hollow, mechanical. I busied myself adjusting my dress, gathering my things, anything

to escape

this moment.

She hesitated, then asked, "Do you have any idea when Dr. Pierce will be returning?"

"Not anytime soon," I replied, "Is there something going on at the hospital?"

She gave me a small, sad smile, No. Everything is fine. It's just that... as scary as they both were, things are just really different without them."

Yes. That was the exact way to put it.

Different.

Too different.

And I hated how much it still hurt.

"I know," I murmured, walking to the door.

As I pulled it open, her voice followed me, "I guess I'll see you again tomorrow?"

That finally tugged out a real smile. I turned to her. "And every day after that until I have to go through the torture of pushing them out."

1/4

10:33 Sat, 22 Mar

Chapter 281

as I walked out, slamming the door shut with a little more force than

strange mix of antiseptic, coffee, and exhaustion. It still hummed with life, with purpose, with the quiet urgency of people

had spent

Fighting. Proving myself.

people who only saw me as a name, a legacy, an expectation I had to meet. I had loved saving lives, loved helping people, but because of them...

battle.

let out

Now?

stare if

my cheek, surprised

I

sharply, shaking it off as I

the cool air hit me, I let out another breath, deeper this time, as

grief out of

Damien was gone.

Dylan was gone.

And Crystal-

I paused.

53)

Crystal was gone too.

evil threats looming over our heads anymore.

challenges to Grayson's

Everything should feel right.

did it still

"Luna."

out of my thoughts. I

his head slightly-just like he always did, despite me telling

ready

at him, at the way he stood so

when he

"Yeah," I

car ride was

really seeing any of it, which was how

2/4

10:33 Sat, 22 Mar

Chapter 281

I mean, things were good. We were good. There was

just couldn't

63%

house he burned down, the moment that had marked the beginning of the person

Like something was missing.

was missing

was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize

"Luna."

blinked, my mind snapping back to the present. Ivan had

car and was holding the door open

myself than to him, and stepped out, my feet moving on autopilot as I made

It always was these days. There was no chaos, no sense of urgency like there used to be. No threats

The stillness felt unnatural.

barely noticed my own movements as I walked through the hallways, past familiar doors and rooms I had memorized long ago. My feet

had become part

the hospital because after everything I was scared that something had happened to my children. That