The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 52

-Grayson'’s POV-

| knew pulling the wedding forward without warning her was bound to provoke a reaction. | expected it, even

counted on it. | knew she’d be upset aboutmaking such a drastic decision without consulting her, yet none of

that seemed to matter in that moment. All that registered in my mind was a single thought-I needed to protect

her.

I'd mobilized resources, pulled strings and brought in people to support the event planner Ava had hired.

Everything would be ready by tomorrow, no matter what it took. Eliza was handling the details, and | intended

this to be her final test-to see if she was capable of holding her position, even when dragged in on a Saturday to

handle this. She’d better prove herself.

But now?

Now all I could think of was Ava.

I'd heard people say kissing ‘the one’ could feel like a revelation, like you'd found something meant for you. |

never bought into that. For me, it had always been the same, a formality | endured out of necessity, a simple act

that meant nothing more than it had to.

until now.

When her lips parted in surprise, | deepened the kiss, letting myself be carried by a desire | hadn't anticipated.

She gasped, and | felt a surge of satisfaction ripple through me. Then, after just a second, she was kissing me

back, her hand sliding around my neck, drawingcloser.

Those few seconds felt like the most real moment of my adult life. And then, reluctantly, | pulled back, watching

as she blinked, her eyes swirling with an emotion | couldn't quite place. For a moment, there was just silence

between us, a heavy, weighted silence that neither of us seemed willing to break.

And then reality snapped back for her. She stepped away, looking atwith wide eyes. | maintained my cold,

steady gaze as | explained, “With the number of times the wedding’s been rescheduled, people are bound to

speculate. | noticed paparazzi lurking. That's why | kissed you-to make them believe we can’t wait to get

married.”

My tone was calm, calculated, keeping my wolf in check even as he snarled within me, restless and irritable.

What was his problem? Why did he care so much for her?

She’s not our mate. | told myself that, but something about the pain that flashed across her face madefeel

an unfamiliar pang of... regret. She quickly composed herself, though, her voice steady as she replied, “It was for

show. | understand. | have. a lot to do before tomorrow, so | should get going.”

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She turned, beginning to walk away toward her friend, who was watching us with a gleeful expression that

grated on my

nerves.

But just as she reached a few steps away, Ava stopped, turning back to facewith a steady gaze. “I asked

Eliza to be one of my bridesmaids. I'd appreciate it if you gave her the rest of the day off.”

I nodded curtly. She turned and resumed her steps, her figure becoming smaller as she moved away.

Then the words that | hadn't voiced rang loud in my head, haunting me. No, it wasn’t just for show: | kissed you

because | wanted to.

| hadn't lied about the paparazzi. I'd seen the man with the camera and knew we needed to appear convincing.

Yet, when | pulled her close, instead of telling her to play along, I just... kissed her.

Because | wanted to.

Frustration pulsed throughas | stalked to my car, yanking the door open and slamming it shut with a force

that echoed

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in the silence. My body had reacted to her touch again, and it annoyedto no end. Damn these emotions-they

had no place in my life.

| clenched the steering wheel, scowling as | thought of the one person who could've helpedavoid this mess:

Maria. If she'd just agreed to perform that stupid spell to suppress my memories which helped repress emotions,

| wouldn't be in this predicament.

With a grimace, | drove back to my mansion, passing by Monica's things were still piled up after | had them

extracted from Elaine’s house when | cback and realized what was happening.

My angry footsteps echoed through the hall as | made my way to my study. Once | reached, | tried to find

anything distracting, anything to occupy my mind but just as | settled into my chair, my phone buzzed. A call

from Carter.

“You know, sometimes | think you take our friendship for granted. | rearranged my plans to be at your wedding,

and now you pull it forward when | can’t make it? Really hurting my feelings here, Grayson.” His voice was light,

teasing, but | could practically hear the smirk behind his words.

| sighed, irritation creeping in. “Do you ever get tired of being yourself?”

“You didn’t snap at me, you must be really nervous at this wedding.”

“I'm not in the mood.” | snapped, “did you call to tellsomething actually important?”

“Ah, there he is-the Grayson | know and love,” Carter chuckled, then his tone turned more serious. “I did call for

a reason. Luther Pierce’s claws are out of your company and he’s taken a hit, just like you wanted, and the Italy

situation is resolved. And as a wedding gift, | had that warehouse mess cleaned up for you. Remindnot to get

on your bad side and not to ever say the wrong thing to be beautiful wife to be.”

A small, reluctant smile tugged at my lips. “You're always on my bad side, Carter. But | appreciate the work.”

I moved to end the call, but Carter's voice held me. “Look, | know you have no concept of friendship, but like it or

not, we're friends, I'm taking the next flight out because | won't miss your wedding for the world. You might not

get another chance at this-fake or not. See you tomorrow.”

With that, he hung up, leavingstaring at the phone in silence.

What the hell was going on?

Why was everyone suddenly so full of feelings?

And why wasn’t the satisfaction of pulling Luther Pierce’s claws from my company and him taking a hit gratifying

as I'd expected?

A knock at the door broke my thoughts, and | looked up to see Liam leaning against the frame, a smirk on his

face. “You know, most people would be out getting drunk with strippers on the night before their wedding, not

brooding over their phone like it's cursed.”

| set the phone down, sighing. “What are you doing here?”

Liam stepped into the room, running a hand through his hair. “Just finished convipeing Elaine that you're not the

villain she seems to think you are.”

I rolled my eyes, exasperation creeping into my tone. “I did not sign off on her letting Monica take the

apartment. | only told her she could move back here. Sometimes her antics are infuriating.”

Liam nodded, settling into the chair across from me. “Well, she’s calmed down now. | convinced her to get some

rest.” His eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. “So, you're tying the knot tomorrow with the beautiful Ava Pierce.

She’s going to be Ava Blackwood by this ttomorrow. How excited are you?”

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| gave him a flat stare, and he held his hands up in mock surrender. “Right, | forgot. Excitement isn’t in your

vocabulary. But at least tellyou've got the vows written out?”

| scoffed. “The priest has been instructed to skip the vows. He'll announce us as married, and that'll be the end

of it.”

Liam shook his head, chuckling under his breath. “Leave it to you to turn a wedding into a business transaction.”

For a moment, the room fell silent as Liam studied me, his gaze turning thoughtful. “You know, Grayson, for all

your cold- hearted exterior, | think there's a part of you that actually cares and while I still find the whole

circumstances surrounding your marriage to her weird, | know you will tellwhen you are ready but | know

wouldn't go to these lengths if you didn’t care for her.”

| looked away, unwilling to admit anything to him-or to myself. The thought of caring was something I had long

buried, a weakness | couldn't afford. And yet, there was Ava, and the way she made my mind spiral into places |

didn’t want to go.

“It's just business,” | said, my voice hardened, as if | could will myself into believing it.

“Right,” Liam murmured, a hint of amusement in his tone as he got up. “Just remember, Grayson. No matter how

much you try to convince yourself otherwise, sthings can’t be controlled. Not forever.” He patted my

shoulder before walking out, leavingwith my thoughts.

The silence in the room grew heavier, and | could feel my wolf pacing within me, restless, stirring up emotions |

was too proud to name. Ava’s kiss lingered in my mind, her touch still fresh, and despite everything, | wanted

more.

| leaned forward, pulling out the contract and opening it. | stared at her signature at the bottom and Liam's

words echoed.

“Ava Blackwood.”

She would bear my nuntil our make believe ended then the contract would be null and we will walk different

paths but as | stared, there was only one thought resonating in my head:

| wanted her to bear my name, be Ava Blackwood. Permanently

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