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.

I can't wait to remarry

that,

when I turned back to the

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

it. I

my phone, and walked

to the balcony. The moment I stepped outside, the cool morning air hit me, filling my lungs and pushing out the tension that had

against the railing, watching as guests poured into the estate. Cars rolled up one after

years ago, I would have never allowed this many people into my estate. The first wedding we staged as large as it was had been

and the number of people had

"Getting cold feet?"

to turn to know it

my eye, I saw her raise it

feeling the

me.

you feel at

caught me off

let the silence stretch between us as

estate. And then, finally, I

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

I didn't respond.

gaze thoughtful. Then, softly, she said, "I wish I had been strong enough to undo the spell

do it in the first place," I

Maybe you needed to experience it all to get to where

know what

we stood in silence.

if debating whether

in me," She said with a wry

6

reached the doorway, 1 called her

"Maria"

looked back at

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

moment, she just looked at

a small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

again, the empty glass still hanging loosely in her fingers, but before she

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

her brows arching in

be a good idea to ask for help sometimes," I went on, watching her expression closely, "Would you mind

moment, she didn't answer. But then something flickered across her face-something like surprise-before her lips curled into a soft, genuine smile. "I would really love that, Grayson," She

deep, resonating sound echoed through the estate.

up toward the sky. I had never been a man who got nervous, but there was something about this moment-this day-that

me, but

Real.

my expression because her smile

didn't hesitate this