The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 105

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-Ava’s POV-

The saying about irony lingered in my mind, though the exact words escaped me. All I could think of was how

cruel it was- that | had finally gotten my wolf only for Grayson to lose his. The universe worked in twisted ways,

and this one cut deeper than | ever thought possible.

Weeks had passed since the attack. Life had returned to ssemblance of normalcy, or at least as close to

normal as things could get around here. The truth about the recluse Alpha’s death had surfaced, but it only

added to the unsettling feeling that lingered like a shadow behind me. Whoever orchestrated the attack hadn't

sent their wolves to kill the Alpha; that much was clear now. It was a distraction, a piece of slarger plan |

couldn't yet decipher. Almost like they knew we would be there and had just sent wolves to kill us. But since

then? Nothing but silence. Absolute, deafening stillness.

The only noticeable difference in the pack was Grayson. Or rather, what he was hiding beneath the stoic mask

he wore every day. He had lost his wolf-a secret no one else could ever know. And if we couldn’t find a way to

bring him back, it would be a secret I'd take to my grave.

He carried himself like he always had, with that unshakable presence that made people straighten their backs

when he walked by. But | could see through the facade. There was a heaviness in his gaze, a weight that hadn't

been there before. The void he carried within him must have been unbearable, but he refused to let it show.

Maria had done what she could, casting a protection spell over him to keep him safe, but her efforts to restore

his wolf had failed.

“He's strong. He'll get through this, just like you did.”

The words echoed in my mind suddenly and it still caughtoff guard no matter how many times she had done

it over the last weeks. It was still strange, hearing her in my head after all these years without her. But I couldn't

let myself fully embrace the connection-not when guilt ate away at me. Grayson had sacrificed so much for me,

and now he was the one suffering.

| stood on the edge of the training grounds, watching him from a distance as he gave orders to the warriors. His

voice carried a weight of authority that demanded respect, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration.

Even now, he was a force to be reckoned with.

“He's strong,” my wolf murmured again.

“I know he is,” | whispered back, my voice soft. “I just...”

The words trailed off as | watched him dismiss the warriors. He turned, as if drawn by sinvisible force, and

our eyes met. For a moment, the rest of the world fell away.

| offered him a small smile, unsure of what else to do. He returned it, but it was faint, barely there. Still, it was

something. Before | could second-guess myself, my feet carriedtoward him, closing the distance between

us.

His eyes never left mine as | approached, and when | was close enough to speak, | hesitated. “Hi,” Lsaid, my

voice softer than I intended.

Grayson'’s response surprised me. He reached out, pullinggently into his arms, and pressed a tender kiss to

my lips. The gesture caughtoff guard, but | melted into it, feeling a warmth | hadn't felt in weeks.

When he pulled back, a real smile touched his lips. “Hi,” he said, his voice low and rich in a way that sent a

shiver down my spine.

| smiled again, though my thoughts were still racing. “Did they find anything yet?” | asked, trying to shift my

focus back to the matter at hand.

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He shook his head, a shadow passing over his expression. “No,” he said simply.

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| sighed, the weight of everything pressing down onagain. “I's too quiet,” | murmured. “Like the calm before

a storm. | can’t shake this feeling-like someone’s watching us.”

| was about to say more when Grayson held up a hand, cuttingoff. “Cwith me,” he said, his tone leaving

no room for argument.

Before | could ask what he meant, he took my hand and began leadingtoward the far corner of the estate.

His grip was firm but not harsh, and the warmth of his hand against mine was oddly reassuring.

We walked in silence, weaving through the trees and past the main house until we reached a secluded area | had

never seen

my throat. before. When we stopped, | looked around, and my breath caught in

The space beforewas transformed into something out of a dream. Twinkling fairy lights hung from the

branches of the trees, casting a soft, golden glow over the clearing. A small table was set up in the center,

draped in a pristine white cloth and surrounded by wildflowers in every color imaginable: Candles flickered

gently in the evening breeze, their light dancing across the surface of the crystal glasses and silverware.

| turned to Grayson, utterly astonished. “What is this?”

“A dinner,” he said simply, his expression unreadable.

“Why?” | asked, shaking my head. “Why are you doing this? This isn’t the right time. We have so much to worry

about-"

“No” he said firmly, cuttingoff. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, | forgot how to breathe. “We

always have something to worry about, Ava. There's always another battle, another threat. But tonight... tonight,

| just want to spend twith you. Just you.”

His words leftspeechless, but before | could respond, he reached for my hand. “Look,” he said, his voice

softer now.

| followed his gaze to his hand and watched as his claws extended slowly. | gasped, the sight sending a mix of

shock and hope surging through me.

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Before | could speak, he said, “He’s not fully back. But | can feel him again. It's faint, like a flicker, but it’s there.

That means he’s not gone forever.” His voice was steady, but there was an edge of determination in it.

“Whatever's happening, whatever's making our connection flicker, I'll find it. I'll fix it.”

His

eyes met mine again, and his expression softened. “But tonight... | just want to be with you. No problems, no

distractions. Just us.”

| swallowed hard, my emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Slowly, | nodded. “Okay,” | said, my voice barely

audible.

A small smile touched his lips as he ledto the table, pulling out a chair forbefore taking his seat. The

evening unfolded like a dream, every detail meticulously planned. The food was delicious, but I hardly tasted it,

too caught up in the way Grayson looked at me, his gaze soft and unwavering.

As the night went on, the tension that had been weighing onbegan to lift, replaced by something warmer,

something deeper. Grayson’s walls, the ones he kept up for everyone else, seemed to crumble just for me.

“Thank you,” | said softly, my voice breaking the comfortable silence between us.

“For what?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

“For this,” | said, gesturing to the beautiful setting around us. “For remindingthat even in the chaos, there's

still room for... this.”

His expression softened, and he reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “You don’t have to thank me,

Ava,” he said, his voice low and filled with something I couldnt quite name. “You've been there forthrough

everything. This is the

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Chapter 105

least | can do.”

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The way he looked atin that moment, like | was the only thing that mattered in the world, sent a warmth

throughthat chased away the lingering shadows. His gaze held a quiet intensity, one that spoke of unspoken

promises and unshaken resolve. For a man who had always carried himself like a fortress-stoic, unyielding, and

untouchable-this vulnerable side of him was almost startling. And yet, it was the part of him | cherished most.

The soft glow of the candlelight danced in his eyes, casting fleeting shadows across his face. For the first tin

weeks, | felt something close to peace. A fragile, fleeting thing, but it was there nonetheless. And as the night

stretched on, | allowed myself to hope-for him, for us, for a future that wasn’t defined by loss and pain.

Maybe a future like the one | imagined. Not one free of responsibility-he was never going to lose the throne that

was as much a part of him as the air he breathed-but perhaps a future with more than just survival. Something

meaningful, something lasting.

The thought was barely formed when his voice broke through my reverie, low and steady. “I heard everything

you said.”

I blinked, taken aback. “What?”

“When | was unconscious,” he clarified, “I heard everything you said. About wanting a different kind of life.”

Heat rushed to my face as the memory of my words cflooding back.

“I didn’t mean-"

“You did,” he interrupted, his voice soft but firm. “And it’s okay. You don’t have to explain. | understand.”

A lump formed in my throat as | searched his face, trying to decipher the emotions swirling there. “Grayson, |

wasn't saying

| wanted you to give up everything. | know how much being king means to you. It's who you are.”

He nodded, his thumb brushing lightly against the back of my hand. “It is. And | wouldn't change that. But | need

you to know something.”

I held my breath, bracing myself for what he was about to say then his words hit me.

“I don’t ever want to have children.”

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