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.

can't

that, she severed

still smiling when I turned back

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

it. I

a glare, grabbed my phone, and walked out of

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

against the railing, watching as guests poured into the estate. Cars rolled up one after another, people dressed in elegant attire

we staged as large as it was had been what I

and the

"Getting cold feet?"

need to turn to know it was

wine glass dangling from her fingers. From the corner of my eye, I saw her raise it to her lips, sipping slowly. I debated telling her it was too early to be drinking but decided

feeling

me.

you feel

caught me off

didn't answer right away. I let the silence stretch between us as I

the people moving across the estate. And then, finally, I said,

her lips curve into a small smile. "It's good to know I

I didn't respond.

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

at her. "I never should have asked you to do it in the first place," I admitted. "And I never

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

didn't know what to

long moment, we stood in silence. Then she shook her

debating whether to

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

6

reached the doorway, 1 called

"Maria"

and looked back

far without you, I admitted. "Thank you. And for what you

moment, she just

tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're

hanging loosely in her

before continuing, "And with Crystal's daughter, it

her brows arching

ask for help sometimes," I went on, watching her expression closely, "Would you mind if I

across her face-something like surprise-before her lips curled into

else, a deep, resonating sound echoed through the estate. It

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

me, but it wasn't suffocating.

Real.

my expression because her smile didn't waver as she asked, "You

hesitate