The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 286

Chapter 286

-Grayson's POV-

"Remember when you didn't like me?"

I didn't answer.

I didn't even look at Rickon as he stood a few feet away, casually twirling his tie around his fingers like he had nothing better to do. I had made the mistake of acknowledging his presence earlier, and I wasn't about to do it again. Maybe if I ignored him long enough, he'd get the hint and leave me alone.

Unfortunately, Rickon had never been the kind of person to take hints.

"Well," He continued, undeterred by my silence, "I wouldn't say you didn't like me. You were just really scary, and it was hard to tell with you. We thank the Moon Goddess for sending Ava your way."

Still, I said nothing.

"Actually you should be thanking me, really, for throwing that ball."

That finally made me turn, my patience wearing thin, "I should be thanking you for throwing a ball on a Tuesday and disrupting my entire week?" I muttered dryly, adjusting my tie in the mirror.

Rickon grinned like the proudest idiot in the world, "Yes. Because that was the first time I saw you smile, and it was because of her. Which meant that was the first time you realized you really liked her."

I scoffed, "Whatever."

I turned back to the mirror, focusing on the crisp knot of my tie. I still couldn't believe I had agreed to this-to a double wedding of all things. And worse, I had agreed to get ready in the same room as Rickon, who still hadn't learned that silence was an acceptable thing.

But Ava had been excited about it. And for her, I would do anything.

As if she knew I was thinking about her, her voice brushed against my mind, soft and familiar.

'Hey.'

The moment I heard her, the tension in my shoulders eased. The warmth of her voice seeped into me, and before I could stop myself, I was already smiling.

Rickon, being the absolute menace that he was, made a dramatic, "Uhhhhhhh" sound from behind me. I ignored him.

'Hey.' I answered, reaching for the cufflinks on the dresser.

There was a brief pause before she spoke again, 'Are you almost done? They're starting soon.

'Yeah,' I sighed, running a hand through my hair before adding, 'Why did I have to get ready in the same place as Rickon?'

Her laughter echoed in my head, bright and teasing, 'Because you two have been through a lot together, and you promised to practice being nicer to people that aren't me.'

'Well, he won't shut up.'

She laughed again, 'Grayson, be nice'

I exhaled sharply, 'Fine. I'll be nice.

you soon. I can't wait to

that, she severed

was still smiling when I turned back to the

the nuisance, let out an exaggerated groan. "Uhhhh, someone is getting lucky

was it.

a glare, grabbed my phone, and walked out of the room without

I stepped outside, the cool morning air hit

into the estate. Cars rolled up one after

allowed this many people into my estate. The first wedding we staged as large as it was had been what I had considered small. But now? Now, it

it was real and the number of

"Getting cold feet?"

to turn

of my eye, I saw her raise it to her lips, sipping slowly. I debated

I watched the crowd below, feeling the weight of

me.

you feel at

question caught

let the silence stretch between us as I kept my

the estate. And

a small smile. "It's good to know I was right," She murmured, "and that she was

I didn't respond.

rest of her drink in one slow sip, her gaze thoughtful. Then, softly, she said, "I wish I had been strong enough to undo the spell that sealed

do it in the first place," I admitted. "And I never should have started that fire to kill him. No matter how cruel

touched her lips, "I like to think everything that happened, happened for a reason. Maybe you needed to experience it all

didn't know what to say to

stood in silence. Then she shook her empty glass

if debating whether to get

little more of this in me," She said with a wry

6

the doorway, 1 called her

"Maria"

looked back

far without you, I admitted. "Thank you. And for what you did with the humans-it must have taken a lot

a moment, she just looked at

a small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of

walk away again, the empty glass still hanging loosely in her fingers, but before she could step through the

birth...” I hesitated for only a second before continuing, "And with Crystal's daughter, it might be a lot

her brows

sometimes," I went on, watching her expression closely, "Would you mind if I brought them

across her face-something like surprise-before her lips

resonating sound echoed

never been a man who got nervous, but there was something about this moment-this

me, but it

Real.

must have noticed something shift in my expression because her smile didn't waver

didn't hesitate