The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 54

-Ava’s POV-

| had pictured my wedding day only once when | was a child, and it had always been a perfect, precise image. In

a grand hall, with every corner draped in white. Nothing would be out of place; the flowers would be flawless,

and at the entrance, there'd be a large mirror my parents placed there so everyone could ensure they looked

their best before stepping into the hall.

Perfection was what | knew but still, | had loved that version of a wedding | hoped to have.

In that childhood vision, there was a little boy at the end of the aisle, waiting for me. He was faceless then-a

figure without a nor identity.

The wedding with Dylan hadn't felt anything like that image. Being fated mates and his family ties to Uncle

Damien were the only reasons it happened at all, but there was always something about it that felt wrong, that

didn’t align with the dream | had as a girl.

Now, as | walked down the aisle again, every step felt like something out of a fairytale I'd secretly cherished.

Everything looked just as the little girl inwould have wished, perfect in every way.

And the boy was now a man, with a face-and it was Grayson's face.

A tug pulledback to reality as Isabella’s voice shattered the dream. She was bouncing on my bed, practically

screaming, “It’s our wedding day! Wake up, wake up!”

| groaned, rolling over and pulling the pillow over my head. “Since it's ours, you go marry him, and we'll switch

later,” | mumbled. “I still need to sleep.”

She smackedwith another pillow, not giving up. “Don’t be a buzzkill, Lilian! Get up! Eliza's already on her

way back with the bridesmaid dresses, and the hair and makeup people are practically at the door. We need to

get moving if we want to make it to the venue on time. Grayson sent the location to Eliza, and | forwarded it to

Uncle Damien. You're lucky I let you sleep in this long!”

| threw a mock glare her way, launching my pillow at her. “I hate you.”

“And | love you too. Now, let's get you married,” she said with a grin that was contagious.

Those were the last words of sanity before the day picked up speed. Everything catin a blur: hair,

makeup, gown fittings, the practiced smile, the slow, deliberate steps. Isabella kept barking orders, keeping me

moving from one thing to the next. My excitement bubbled beneath the surface, spilling out in shy glances and

faint smiles.

Getting married to Dylan had never felt like this-it had felt more like a burden, an expectation | was fulfilling. But

with Grayson... even though | knew this marriage was a temporary arrangement, | couldn’t deny how the idea of

marrying him stirred something strange and beautiful in me.

As | stared at myself in the mirror, | barely recognized the woman looking back. The gown huggedperfectly,

sleek and timeless, with a sophistication that was both simple and stunning. It fit like a dream. There were no

excessive frills or jewels -just enough detail to make it special. | looked elegant, confident.

Then there was my face, framed by waves of dark hair that flowed aroundlike liquid midnight, enhancing

every angle, every detail. My eyes, those shifting shades of blue that could look straight through someone,

seemed more intense than usual. They were surrounded by long, dark lashes that, Isabella insisted needed to be

“just tic enough.”

| closed my eyes for a second, letting the scene sink in as the car tookto the venue and | made my way to

the room | would stay before it started. | could picture it, the way this moment would play out. My heart swelled

at the vision. It was beautiful, more than I could have hoped for.

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Chapter 54

“You look beautiful, Little Dove,” Uncle Damien's voice broke into my thoughts, drawingback to the present,

“Are you ready?”

FD

| opened my eyes and met his gaze in the mirror, giving a small mod. “Yes, | am,” | whispered, barely believing it

myself.

Uncle Damien took my hand, and together, we began walking down the aisle. The hall was filled with guests,

over a thousand pairs of eyes watching me, but | only saw him-Grayson, standing at the other end. His face was

unreadable, cold as stone, with a controlled aura that radiated power and intensity. It was like he belonged there,

an unmovable force, a king awaiting his queen.

| felt Isabella and Eliza's supportive presence behindas we moved forward. For a brief moment, | scanned

the crowd, almost instinctively searching for my parents, hoping they'd actually show up. But they weren't there.

| already knew they wouldn't be, yet the sting still lingered, sharper than | wanted to admit.

When I finally reached Grayson, he held my gaze, his eyes giving nothing away. The priest began the ceremony,

and my heart pounded in my chest, each word pushing us closer to the moment of truth. Grayson’s face

remained impassive, and | couldn’t shake the feeling that his mind was somewhere else, detached and distant.

We reached the part of the ceremony where the vows were supposed to begin, and | prepared myself for it to be

skipped. Knowing Grayson, sentimentality wasn’t his style.

But then, just as the priest prompted us, Grayson turned to face me, a slight shift in his expression. | braced

myself, expecting nothing, but his voice surprised me-low, curt, with an edge that felt both gentle and

commanding.

Grayson’s gaze remained steady as he spoke, his voice low and controlled, each word precise.

“I didn’t expect to find myself here, standing before you,” he began, a subtle edge to his tone, “but here | am. |

won't promise things | don’t believe in, or pretend to be something I'm not. But Ava, I'll stand beside you-not

because it's expected, but because it’s a choice I'm willing to make. As long as you need me. I'll be here, even

when things are difficult, even when it would be easier to walk away.”

He paused, his eyes softened, just barely, before he masked it with his usual cool composure. The words were

simple, almost restrained, but there was a gravity in them that heldin place makingfeel as though he'd

givensomething unspoken-a promise without embellishment, but with a strange, unyielding loyalty.

| took a steadying breath, searching for words that felt genuine, words that matched the whirlwind that had

brought us here. “Grayson, this might seem sudden. Maybe even reckless,” | began, my voice a little shaky but

growing stronger. “But being here, standing in front of you-it feels like it's exactly where I'm meant to be.”

| looked into his eyes, feeling the weight of everything unspoken between us. “With you, things make sense in a

way | can’t explain. | may not know where this path will take us, but | know this is where I'm supposed to be, with

you. And I'm willing to trust in that, to trust in us.”

The words felt bare, vulnerable and it scaredhow true they sounded. There was a faint flicker in his eyes,

something that hinted at surprise before he closed off again, returning to that cold, unreadable mask.

“...and now,” the priest's voice rose, snappingout of my reverie, “do you, Ava, take Grayson as your lawful

wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, as long as you both shall

live?”

“Yes,” | said, my voice steady, even though my heart raced. “I do.

The priest turned to Grayson, his expression as impassive as ever. “And do you, Grayson, take Ava as your lawful

wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, as long as you both shall

live?”

Grayson paused, his gaze unwavering. For a fleeting second, | thought he might actually hesitate. But he inclined

his head slightly, his words curt but firm. “I do.”

The priest smiled and continued, “Then, by the power vested in me, | now pronounce you husband and wife. You

may kiss

the bride.”

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Chapter 54

I glanced up at Grayson, expecting him to take the lead, but he just stood there, his expression still as blank as

stone. A flicker of irritation sparked within me, and in my mind, | thought, Screw it.

n

Without waiting another second, | closed the distance between us, rising on my toes as | leaned in, pressing my

lips to his. | heard Isabella cheer behind me, her voice full of delight and mischief.

But then, something happened.

As our lips met, an electric surge coursed through me. It was intense, like a jolt, but not painful-more like an

awakening. For a brief moment, | thought I could feel something deeper beneath Grayson’s cold exterior.

Emotions | wasn’t expecting. feelings that seemed to pulse and blend with my own. It was strange and

exhilarating, and | found myself leaning further into the kiss, hoping to keep that connection for just a second

longer.

Then, just as | was beginning to think he wouldn't respond, he kissedback. The kiss transformed, becoming

charged and powerful, pullingdeeper into the moment. His hands cup to my waist, steadyingas his

lips moved against mine, intensifying the spark between us. It was overwhelming, yet grounding at the same

time, like we were bound together in a way that words couldn't capture.

The priest cleared his throat, bringing us back to reality. With a slight shiver, | pulled back, realizing the depth of

what had just happened as he announced, “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson Blackwood.”

I was Ava Blackwood.