The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

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Chapter 285

Chapter 285

-Ava's POV-

I didn't know what to expect when I walked into the hospital.

Eliza had driven me, and I had convinced both her and Isabella that whatever this was, it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. I had told them to go home, insisting I'd be fine. But standing here now, staring through the glass at the tiny form in the incubator, I realized I had been wrong.

I wasn't fine.

My heart pounded in my chest, my breathing uneven as I tried to wrap my head around what I was seeing.

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper, "I don't understand... How is this possible? It's been a week. Why did they call you? I just... I don't..." I trailed off, unable to form the words because none of this made sense.

Grayson stood beside me, his gaze also fixed on the incubator. "I didn't want to take any chances, so I gave an order to be notified of anything unusual-like Dylan coming back to life," He said dryly before his expression darkened. "Then, earlier today, I got a call. They found the body of a pregnant woman washed up on the shore. I knew it was Crystal. Somehow.....she was still alive when they brought her in."

I tore my gaze away from the incubator to look at him.

"She didn't make it," He continued after a moment. "But the baby... she did."

My eyes flickered back to the tiny girl lying in the incubator, covered in wires and tubes, so small it didn't seem real. Crystal and Dylan's daughter.

I felt my throat tighten. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to feel. Shock? Guilt? Pity? All I knew was that I needed air because suddenly, the hospital mask I had on was suffocating me.

I exhaled a shaky breath, "Can we talk outside?"

Grayson nodded, leading the way out of the NICU, and the moment we stepped into the hallway, I felt like I could breathe again.

Before I could speak, he did.

"Are you

still angry with me?"

I blinked, caught off guard by the question, "No. I'm not," I sighed, running a hand over my face, “It's just... everything has been a lot. I haven't been handling it well. It's over, but it doesn't feel like it's over, and I don't know why everything still feels... wrong."

He studied me for a long moment before he asked, "So being with me feels wrong?"

I frowned, "That's not what I said, Grayson."

"Then what are you saying, Ava?"

I exhaled sharply. "I don't know! Everything is sinking in all at once-the threats, the chaos—and it's overwhelming. And you've been staying away, too, so don't start pinning this all on me."

His jaw tensed, "I've been staying away because visiting the old house is the only thing you've agreed to do with me since everything ended. And after that, you shut me out."

His words struck a nerve, frustration bubbling up inside me, "Well, I'm sorry I'm not dealing well with the fact that I just

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Chapter 285

went through hell"

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, "You're trying to start a fight. I'm not going to fighs with

crossed my arms, stubborn, "I'm not trying

space,

"No."

at him, really looked at him, and for the first time in weeks, I saw him. Not just

I didn't mean to push you aw I just... I don't know how to go back

my voice breaking. "Everything has changed so

at me for a moment,

the distance between us, wrapping my arms around

then, slowly, his arms came around me, pulling me against

afraid I might slip away

grounding and my hands reached out and grabbed his

weight of everything that had happened, everything we had been through. hung between us. Then, his voice, low and steady, broke the

blame you for struggling, Ava. You're allowed to. You're allowed to be angry, to be confused, to feel lost. After everything you've been through, I'd be worried if

hard, my grip

continued, his voice softer now. "You don't have to push me away. You don't

over before I could stop them. My fingers found the soft fabric of his jacket, and I used it to wipe

lightly, tilting his head down to look at me, "You know that's

out a small laugh, muffled against his chest. "I

could hear the smile

gaze, my hands still gripping the lapels of his

stray strand of hair

words, the

I whispered again, my voice barely

softened, "I

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Chapter 285

fingers lingering against

before I finally let

my head, my gaze drifting back toward the

going to do about her?" I asked

exhaled, his hands sliding into his pockets as he followed my gaze, "I

truth was,

was proof of Dylan and Crystal. A child created by two people who knew only pain and destruction. And even though Crystal had been my twin sister, there was no

maybe this was a way to right my

was quiet for a long moment before he finally spoke, "You

by the certainty

his mouth lifting in that knowing way of

right. The thought of leaving her, of letting fate decide what happened to her, made my chest ache in a way

"She's Dylan's daughter, Grayson. I hate him as

just a baby, Ava." His voice was calm, but there was an edge of conviction behind it. "She hasn't done anything wrong. And as much as you're trying to fight the idea, you know it's the right thing

swallowed hard, my

her to fate, we risk her becoming what both Crystal and Dylan were," Grayson continued, his voice softer now, "And I

gaze dropped to the floor as my