The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 51

-Ava’s POV-,

“No.”

The word echoed in my mind, morphing into a steady resolve as | stood between the two of them. “No,” |

repeated, my voice cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife.

“You really don’t want to cause a scene,” Madam Raquel’s voice dripped with a mix of authority and threat. She

had a striking resemblance to my mother, both intimidating and cold, a stark reminder of everything I loathed

about that world. “I won't look beyond the Blackwood name. I'll have you thrown out.”

She remindedvaguely of my mother, if my mother didn’t consider friends a liability. They would've been a

perfect match.

| took a step closer, unwavering. “This is my dress. I'm going to walk out of here with it-packed however you

package outgoing dresses-and tomorrow, I'm wearing this to my wedding. End of discussion.”

“I think it's cute that you think you can-” Monica began, her smug tone igniting my fury.

“I wasn't talking to you,” | snapped, cutting her off, “and | didn’t give you permission to speak to me.”

Turning back to Madam Raquel, | pressed on. “I don’t know exactly what happened here, but I'm guessing your

manipulative daughter somehow found out | was here, waited until | found a dress | liked, and pulled this stunt.

This is supposed to be one of the best boutiques in the country. If I'd known it was even remotely connected to

Monica, | would have gone elsewhere. But I'm here, and | found my dress, and I'm walking out of here with it.”

“Preach,” Isabella cheered from the sidelines, her enthusiasm almost makingsmile despite the situation.

Madam Raquel’s icy demeanor hardened further, reflecting the contempt in Monica's eyes. “While your speech

was moving, | told you it was already paid for.”

“Fine,” | shot back, adrenaline pumping through my veins. “I'll follow you right now. Showthe receipt for this

dress. If you can prove it’s paid for, then you and your daughter can have it back. Build a fort with it if you like.”

Madam Raquel’s expression shifted to one of fury, and a silent exchange of glances passed between her and

Monica. | sensed the tension, the unspoken communication that cwith their twisted family bond. Then, with

a disarming smile, Madam Raquel leaned closer. “Fine. You can have the dress. It's $500,000.”

My mouth dropped open. Five hundred thousand dollars? There was no way | could pay that. Even though

Grayson could, it wasn't like he'd just hand over half a million for a dress. | could see the triumphant smiles

growing on both their faces when, suddenly, | felt the air shift.

A familiar, icy voice cut through the room. “If the two of you are going to wallow in your stupidity and pettiness,

you could’ve at least made the dress actually expensive.”

$500,000 wasn't expensive?

now

toward Grayson, who was

tanding at the entrance, his gaze fixed on Monica with an intensity | blinked as heads turned that made the room

drop ten degrees. | recognized the look because | had seen in on Isabella’s face several times. He was planning

her murder.

“Mr. Blackwood,” Madam Raquel stammered, her voice dripping with unease, while Monica took an unsteady

step backward.

Grayson’s gaze slid to her. “I told you before-if I'm ever unfortunate enough to be in the sroom as me.”

you,

don’t speak to

Sat,

Chapter 51

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Madam Raquel’s mouth snapped shut. His gaze shifted to Monica. “I warned you to stay away fromand not

to test my patience.”

apn

“Don’t interruptwhen I'm speaking.” His eyes flashed, and he took a step forward. “Your belongings are

outside my estate, where they belong. And if you and Elaine try to pull another stunt like this, there will be

consequences. I'm only letting this go because | have a wedding tomorrow, and my cousin is involved.”

FD

So, he didn’t know that Elaine had handed her apartment over to Monica. | glanced at him, taking in the cold

resolve etched across his features. He finally turned to me, and | felt my skin tingle at his gaze. “Is that the dress

you want?”

In that moment, | should have been furious with him for springing everything onlike this without even talking

tofirst but all | could manage was a nod, even as heat rushed to my cheeks. The room felt stifling, the air

thick with tension. For added emphasis, Isabella fanned herself, grinning before mouthing to me, “Hot, hot, hot.”

| cleared my throat, looking away to compose myself. Grayson turned to Eliza. “Pay for the dress, whatever it

costs.”

Then, he looked back at Monica and Madam Raquel, who had both shrunk backward. “You're already on my

radar. Families dying together make interesting headlines these days. Don’t test me.”

And with that, he turned and strode out.

Monica shota hateful look before stomping away, and Madam Raquel, trying to save face, muttered, “The

dress will be prepared for you.” Then she turned and followed Monica out.

Isabella practically squealed with glee, rushing over. “Oh my goddess, that was hot. | need to find myself a

billionaire.”

| forced a smile, still staring after Grayson, while the attendant cautiously approached, saying the dress needed

to be packed. Eliza glanced at me, clearly uneasy.

“What's wrong?” | asked her.

“He’s going to fire me. | brought you here. | didn’t know there was history. | wouldn't have-"

“It’s fine,” | assured her. “I'll talk to him. He won't fire you. Letjust change, and you handle the payment.”

She nodded, and Isabella helpedout of the dress, babbling the whole time. “We need sserious cleansing

rituals after this. Bride in her dress before the wedding, bad luck, fake wedding or not-you have to admit...”

“Yes, | know, it was hot.” | rolled my eyes playfully. “But $500,000 isn’t expensive?”

She laughed. “Honey, billionaires have a whole other concept of expensive.” Now, let's get this off. This place is

dripping with bad energy. We have a wedding to get reset for tomorrow, and I'm so excited.”

“What about your bridesmaid dresses for you and Eliza?”

“Don’t worry, we'll figure it out.”

Once | was back in my own clothes, we headed outside. My eyes found him instantly. Grayson was leaning

against his car, glancing at his phone, but he looked up as soon as he sensed me

| sighed, and Isabella nodded in encouragement as | walked over to him. When | was close, he spoke. “It's a

beautiful dress.”

Heat crept up my face, but | held it together. | needed to set sboundaries. “You shouldn't have moved up

the wedding. It’s not right-and sending a magical note? You could've just called.”

He didn’t hesitate. “I know.”

09:47 Sat, Dec 14

Chapter 51

| blinked, surprised by his quick agreement. “So, why did you?”

“Because,” he replied, his voice cold and almost rehearsed, “you've been a distraction since | met you. | can’t

afford distractions. | want the wedding to cement the contract so we can focus on the terms and move on.”

85%

The bluntness stung more than | cared to admit, but | swallowed it down, nodding. “Fine. Just one more thing: |

chose this boutique because it’s one of the best. If I'd known it was owned by Monica's family, | wouldn't have

chere. Eliza had nothing to do with it.”

He gave a curt nod. “Noted.”

Silence hung between us, ténse and heavy. We stared at each other, neither willing to break the gaze. | took a

step to turn away, but before | could fully process what was happening, he grabbed my hand, pullingback

with a force that sent my heart racing.

FD

| opened my mouth to question him, to know what he was doing, but he didn’t givethe chance. In one swift

motion, he pulledclose, his hands settling on my waist as he brought his face close to mine. | barely had

tto gasp before he closed the distance, smashing his lips on mine.

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