The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 288

-Ava’s POV-

“I now pronounce you-

“Wait! Hold on, hold on,” Isabella suddenly cut in, making the priest stop mid–sentence.

Beside me, Grayson let out a deep sigh, the kind that sounded like he was reevaluating every decision that had led him to this moment. I could practically feel the frustration radiating off him, but he kept his face impassive.

Barely.

Rickon, standing opposite Isabella, grinned widely, clearly delighted by whatever nonsense was about to come out of her mouth.

“Bels,” I muttered under my breath, already exasperated.

“What?” she whispered back before turning dramatically to the priest. “I just realized something very important.”

The priest, an older man who looked like he had officiated one too many weddings in his lifetime, let out a very slow, very tired sigh. “What is it now?”

Rickon leaned in eagerly. “Yes, what is it, my love?”

Grayson made a strangled noise beside me, his jaw tightening. He looked like he was seconds away from throwing both Rickon and Isabella off the altar.

Isabella beamed at Rickon before turning back to the priest. “I think we need more dramatic vows. Ours were too normal.”

I closed my eyes.

Rickon gasped in fake shock, “You’re right. What were we thinking? A once–in–a–lifetime moment and we didn’t make it absolutely ridiculous?”

The priest looked up at the heavens like he was seeking divine patience.

Meanwhile, the guests were shifting in their seats, some looking highly entertained, others very much not.

“You already said your vows twice,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. “The one from the first wedding and the one you just tortured us with. And now you want to add more?”

Isabella shot me a look, “The first wedding doesn’t count, and you rushed us just now. What if generations from now, people look back and say, wow, their wedding was boring?”

“Who the hell is going to look back?!” I snapped, then exhaled, trying to reel in my patience.

The priest pinched the bridge of his nose but, to his credit, did not scold them, “Would you like to rewrite your vows right now?”

Isabella tapped her chin thoughtfully, “No, that’s too much work. I’ll just add an extra bit.”

“Oh, excellent,” Rickon said, straightening, “Then me too.”

Grayson’s voice came then, low and filled with barely restrained anger. “No one is rewriting or saying any vows again.”

He turned his attention to the priest. “Finish it.”

96%

Chapter 288

Isabella snorted, then reached into the top of her dress, pulling out a folded bill. She handed it to Rickon, who grinned, pocketing it smoothly. “Told you he would snap in less than five minutes”

them, “You were betting on

brows, “Oh, come on, Ava. You should’ve bet against us.

Unbelievable.

mercifully continued, not even bothering to scold them anymore. He simply cleared his throat and spoke the words that

pronounce you both

dipped her low, kissing her so dramatically that some guests clapped,

looked like he was holding onto his last shred

your eyes,” I whispered, “I have a surprise for you.”

he met mine. His brows lifted slightly, but

My heart swelled.

mixing with mine, the primal bond

still barely reaching him even in my heels, and wrapped my arms around him. My

on me tightened.

growled low in approval, and my fangs lengthened in response to the moment,

Grayson Blackwood,” I whispered against

sank my teeth

rush of warmth and power surged between us, so strong that I

silence–then an eruption of energy, something raw and unbreakable snapping into place.

Our bond.

was instant.

poured into me, the sheer intensity of them nearly stealing my breath. The weight of his love, the possessiveness, the fierce protectiveness, and

I knew he

shuddered, his arms tightening around me like he never wanted to let go. His breath was ragged against my hair, his heartbeat thundering

the first time, there were

2/5

Chapter 288

Just us

my lips brushing against the mark I

open, wild and dark with emotion. His hands framed my

Nothing else mattered.

“Ava,” He rasped.

smiled, breathless. “I

he kissed me.

kiss–this wasn’t just any kiss. This was everything

fire and storm, devotion and desperation, a claim and a surrender all in

a murmur against the roar of our bond

back slightly, his forehead resting against mine.

voice rough, like he was

grinned, “I always was

way only I ever got to

clapped obnoxiously loud, “That

I

groaned and turned toward them, his irritation returning full force.

threading my fingers through his.

as this wedding was,

I wouldn’t change a single

carried on, flowing into the reception with an energy that was both celebratory and–unsurprisingly–chaotic. Even after everything, some small, restless part of me kept waiting for something dramatic to happen. Maybe an enemy attack. Maybe an unexpected betrayal. Maybe

It was ridiculous.

last night when I double–checked the guest list, making sure it was only werewolves

this time.