The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 60

-Ava’s POV-

1 hated to admit, but Rickon had been right. | needed to keep better company because the one I had, stayed up

withall night drinking and telling stories. | learnt everything about Elizand how she was dating someone that

she hoped would propose to her soon and Isabella shared stirrers about her huge family that | had met a number

of times and despite what she said about her six sisters and then annoying, | would kill for parents who dotted

onand the chaos that cwith her family.

Despite everything. | wouldn't have wanted to spent my fake wedling night any other way.

The next morning. | dragged myself to Grayson’s mansion to prepare for work, nursing a brutal hangover.

Predictably, he wasn't there. But there was a silver lining: Monica had moved out and Elsine had begrudgingly

gone back to her own apartment. At least | didn’t have to deal with running into either of them.

Trying to mask the headache pounding in my skull, | somehow managed to pull myself together enough for work.

One of the drivers droppedoff, and | told myself that maybe I should finally work towards getting my own

car. Small goals, right?

“Dr. Pierce, are you listening to me?”

| blinked, snapping back to the present, and forced a tight smiler Dr. Griffin, my supervisor. “Yes, sorry, I'm

listening.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “I was briefing you on your first patient.”

| cleared my throat, attempting to look more focused. “Right, my apologies. I'm just... still adjusting to all the

changes.” | forced another smile. “Please, callAva.”

He seemed to soften, nodding slightly. “I understand. You did just get married yesterday. If you need more time-

“No, thank you.” | shook my head quickly. Tve already taken enough toff. Grayson pushed our honeymoon

forward. He's busy, too. | really want to be here, this job means a lot to me

Liar. The words tasted bitter in my mouth, but | forced myself to keep going, “I promise I'm ready for this.”

Dr. Griffin gave a nod, seeming satisfied. “Very well. We're honored to have you. The Pierce family has quite the

reputation, after all. | understand your mother was reluctant to lose you to another hospital.”

1 held back a scoff. Right, because that’s why my mother was havingblack listed. But | only nodded politely,

keeping my thoughts to myself.

“I'm ready, Dr. Griffin. | promise.”

“Good,” he said, handinga file. “I'll introduce you to the patient.”

1 followed him down the hallway, trying to think of how I could discreetly skim the file on the way. Thadn’t been

listening at all to his initial briefing, and | silently cursed myself for zoning out. When we entered the patient's

room, | saw a middle- aged woman asleep on the bed, with a teenage girl sitting by her side, holding her hand

tightly. Dr. Griffin made quick introductions to the girl, who was the patient's daughter, then excused himself,

leavingalone with the teen.

As soon as the door shut, the girl's friendly expression shifted into a glare. “You're hungover,” she accused.

| blinked, caught off guard. “I'm not hungover. Now, if you'll let me-

“Don’t touch her,” she snapped, standing protectively over her mother. “I'm not letting sdoctor who spent

Sunday night. drinking get anywhere near my mum.”

09:28 Mon, Dec 16 =

Chapter 60

+87%

Her tone grated against my-already-pounding headache, but I held back a sigh. “Fine. You're right, I'm

hungover.” | admitted. “But it’s only because yesterday was my wedding. And I'm here today because saving

lives matters tomore than anything.”

She deadpanned, “You sound really sad.”

| clenched my jaw, trying not to let her words get to me. But it did. “And you sound like a brat.” | snapped.

Her mouth quirked up in a smirk. Damn it. I'd walked right into that one.

“If I had said you were hungover you could just convince them otherwise. Now | have a reason to not want you to

be her doctor.” She faked a poppy eye, “because you makeuneasy and uncomfortable and you calleda

brat,”

She made a move toward the door, and 1 panicked slightly: “Wait Hold on. We got off on the wrong foot.” | took a

deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “I shouldn't have been drinking last night, especially before my first

day here. I'm really sorry. But | am a good doctor, and | promise you that I'll do everything I can for your mum.”

She paused, folding her arms and studyingwith a skeptical gaze. “Aren’t you too young to be a doctor?”

| opened my mouth to answer and she rolled her eyes, “That was a rhetorical question and | know you are. A

friend from school took a video of you saving that boy at the restaurant. Teachers are going to be using you as a

key focus on Monday I'm sure to get us to,” she air quoted, “get us to learn stuff.”

| raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you givingsuch a hard time?”

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

She rolled her eyes again. “Because | don't like to learn stuff and I'm a teenager. It's what we do and that’s how |

knew you were hungover. | looked exactly like you almost everyday. Her eyes slid to her mother and they

softened, “but my muntis really sick and because we don’t have enough money they push anyhow doctors to us.

I really need her to get well, she’s all have so if you are going to show up drunk then | better go out and find a

downgrade who will at least be sober.”

Her words hitharder than | expected. | swallowed, feeling a lump in my throat. “I'm sorry. It won't happen

again. | swear, from now on. I'm all about being sober and focused.”

She stared atfor a long moment, then sighed, extending her hand reluctantly. “Mikayla”

| took her hand, shaking it firmly. “Ava Pierce.”

She lookedup and down, smirking slightly. “You haven't taken your husband's nyet?”

| blinked, caught off guard by the question again, and she rolled her eyes in exasperation. “The internet, Dr.

Pierce. Do you old people not use it? You're making headlines everywhere. You murried sbig-shot billionaire.

Good for you, | guess.”

| laughed despite myself. “I thought you said | looked young”

“Well, not that young,” she said with a shrug. “You're still ‘old’ enough to not know how to constantly use the

inteand I'm sorry | was rude. | just really worry about her.

1 nodded, swallowing back the pang of guilt gnawing at me. “I understand, Mikayla | shouldn't have shown up

here hungover. Let's start over, alright?”

For the first time. She smiled finally and | couldn't help but notice how striking she was. Beneath her guarded,

hardened exterior, she had delicate features-big brown eyes, framed by thick lashes that hinted at a rare

vulnerability. Her cheekbones were high, with a faint dusting of freckles scattered across her cheeks, and her

dark, wavy hair tumbled over her shoulders, unkempt yet somehow perfectly framing her face. It was clear she

had been holding onto a los, probably more than anyone her age should have to

“Thank you,” she said, a little less defensive now, folding her arms across her chest but standing a bit closer

| took a deep breath, bracing myself for what | was about to see “Alright, let's take a look at your mom. |

promise, Mikayla,

09:28 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 60

I'll do my best.”

A

She stepped aside, allowingcloser to the bed. Her mother lay there, pale and still, her chest rising and falling

weakly with each labored breath. She had a thin oxygen tube hooked to her nose, and her frail frlooked

even smaller against the sterile hospital sheets. Her face was shadowed by fatigue and pala, with dark circles

under her eyes and thin, cracked lips. | skimmed the chart, noting her diagnosis-Stage IV congestive heart

failure. Her heart was weak, struggling with every beat, and the medication could only do so much to ease the

burden. She needed a transplant, but her age and weakened state made her a complicated candidate.

| gently reached for her wrist, checking her pulse. It was faint but steady, a small victory in this battle that was

as much hers as it was ours. | could feel Mikayla’s eyes watchingclosely, her gaze filled with a mixture of

hope and despair, as if she were searching my face for shidden truth

After a moment, | released her mother’s hand and turned back to Mikayla, who was still watchingintently.

Her expression was unreadable, her defenses wavering, yet | could sense the desperate question simmering

beneath the surface. She finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper, “Do you think shell, she’ll ever get better?”

| felt my throat tighten. It was the question every doctor dreads-having to balance between realism and hope,

especially when facing the unrelenting grip of a chronic condition. But there was a flicker of possibility, a glimmer

of hope, even if it was faint.

| knelt beside Mikayla, looking her straight in the eyes. “It’s hard to say,” | admitted softly. “But there’s a chance.

Your mom is fighting hard, and we're going to give her everything we can. With the right treatment, she could

stabilize and improve enough to have a better quality of life. It’s not an easy road, but there is hope, Mikayla.”

She podded slowly, looking back at her mother. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and a fragile smile touched her

lips. “Thank you. I just.. | needed to hear that,” she murmured

| nodded, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “It’s going to be tough, but you're not alone in this. I'll be

here for you both. And if you ever need to talk, I'm just down the hall.”

She looked up at me, her defenses finally breaking down as her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Thank you,

Dr. Pierce. It means a lot to finally have a doctor that actually cares.”

| gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and then gathered my things to |

Chapter 60

-Ava’s POV-

1 hated to admit, but Rickon had been right. | needed to keep better company because the one I had, stayed up

withall night drinking and telling stories. | learnt everything about Elizand how she was dating someone that

she hoped would propose to her soon and Isabella shared stirrers about her huge family that | had met a number

of times and despite what she said about her six sisters and then annoying, | would kill for parents who dotted

onand the chaos that cwith her family.

Despite everything. | wouldn't have wanted to spent my fake wedling night any other way.

The next morning. | dragged myself to Grayson’s mansion to prepare for work, nursing a brutal hangover.

Predictably, he wasn't there. But there was a silver lining: Monica had moved out and Elsine had begrudgingly

gone back to her own apartment. At least | didn’t have to deal with running into either of them.

Trying to mask the headache pounding in my skull, | somehow managed to pull myself together enough for work.

One of the drivers droppedoff, and | told myself that maybe I should finally work towards getting my own

car. Small goals, right?

“Dr. Pierce, are you listening to me?”

| blinked, snapping back to the present, and forced a tight smiler Dr. Griffin, my supervisor. “Yes, sorry, I'm

listening.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “I was briefing you on your first patient.”

| cleared my throat, attempting to look more focused. “Right, my apologies. I'm just... still adjusting to all the

changes.” | forced another smile. “Please, callAva.”

He seemed to soften, nodding slightly. “I understand. You did just get married yesterday. If you need more time-

“No, thank you.” | shook my head quickly. Tve already taken enough toff. Grayson pushed our honeymoon

forward. He's busy, too. | really want to be here, this job means a lot to me

Liar. The words tasted bitter in my mouth, but | forced myself to keep going, “I promise I'm ready for this.”

Dr. Griffin gave a nod, seeming satisfied. “Very well. We're honored to have you. The Pierce family has quite the

reputation, after all. | understand your mother was reluctant to lose you to another hospital.”

1 held back a scoff. Right, because that’s why my mother was havingblack listed. But | only nodded politely,

keeping my thoughts to myself.

“I'm ready, Dr. Griffin. | promise.”

“Good,” he said, handinga file. “I'll introduce you to the patient.”

1 followed him down the hallway, trying to think of how I could discreetly skim the file on the way. Thadn’t been

listening at all to his initial briefing, and | silently cursed myself for zoning out. When we entered the patient's

room, | saw a middle- aged woman asleep on the bed, with a teenage girl sitting by her side, holding her hand

tightly. Dr. Griffin made quick introductions to the girl, who was the patient's daughter, then excused himself,

leavingalone with the teen.

As soon as the door shut, the girl's friendly expression shifted into a glare. “You're hungover,” she accused.

| blinked, caught off guard. “I'm not hungover. Now, if you'll let me-

“Don’t touch her,” she snapped, standing protectively over her mother. “I'm not letting sdoctor who spent

Sunday night. drinking get anywhere near my mum.”

09:28 Mon, Dec 16 =

Chapter 60

+87%

Her tone grated against my-already-pounding headache, but I held back a sigh. “Fine. You're right, I'm

hungover.” | admitted. “But it’s only because yesterday was my wedding. And I'm here today because saving

lives matters tomore than anything.”

She deadpanned, “You sound really sad.”

| clenched my jaw, trying not to let her words get to me. But it did. “And you sound like a brat.” | snapped.

Her mouth quirked up in a smirk. Damn it. I'd walked right into that one.

“If I had said you were hungover you could just convince them otherwise. Now | have a reason to not want you to

be her doctor.” She faked a poppy eye, “because you makeuneasy and uncomfortable and you calleda

brat,”

She made a move toward the door, and 1 panicked slightly: “Wait Hold on. We got off on the wrong foot.” | took a

deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “I shouldn't have been drinking last night, especially before my first

day here. I'm really sorry. But | am a good doctor, and | promise you that I'll do everything I can for your mum.”

She paused, folding her arms and studyingwith a skeptical gaze. “Aren’t you too young to be a doctor?”

| opened my mouth to answer and she rolled her eyes, “That was a rhetorical question and | know you are. A

friend from school took a video of you saving that boy at the restaurant. Teachers are going to be using you as a

key focus on Monday I'm sure to get us to,” she air quoted, “get us to learn stuff.”

| raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you givingsuch a hard time?”

She rolled her eyes again. “Because | don't like to learn stuff and I'm a teenager. It's what we do and that’s how |

knew you were hungover. | looked exactly like you almost everyday. Her eyes slid to her mother and they

softened, “but my muntis really sick and because we don’t have enough money they push anyhow doctors to us.

I really need her to get well, she’s all have so if you are going to show up drunk then | better go out and find a

downgrade who will at least be sober.”

Her words hitharder than | expected. | swallowed, feeling a lump in my throat. “I'm sorry. It won't happen

again. | swear, from now on. I'm all about being sober and focused.”

She stared atfor a long moment, then sighed, extending her hand reluctantly. “Mikayla”

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

| took her hand, shaking it firmly. “Ava Pierce.”

She lookedup and down, smirking slightly. “You haven't taken your husband's nyet?”

| blinked, caught off guard by the question again, and she rolled her eyes in exasperation. “The internet, Dr.

Pierce. Do you old people not use it? You're making headlines everywhere. You murried sbig-shot billionaire.

Good for you, | guess.”

| laughed despite myself. “I thought you said I looked young”

“Well, not that young,” she said with a shrug. “You're still ‘old enough to not know how to constantly use the

inteand I'm sorry | was rude. | just really worry about her.

1 nodded, swallowing back the pang of guilt gnawing at me. “I understand, Mikayla | shouldn't have shown up

here hungover. Let's start over, alright?”

For the first time. She smiled finally and | couldn't help but notice how striking she was. Beneath her guarded,

hardened exterior, she had delicate features-big brown eyes, framed by thick lashes that hinted at a rare

vulnerability. Her cheekbones were high, with a faint dusting of freckles scattered across her cheeks, and her

dark, wavy hair tumbled over her shoulders, unkempt yet somehow perfectly framing her face. It was clear she

had been holding onto a los, probably more than anyone her age should have to

“Thank you,” she said, a little less defensive now, folding her arms across her chest but standing a bit closer

| took a deep breath, bracing myself for what | was about to see “Alright, let's take a look at your mom. |

promise, Mikayla,

09:28 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 60

I'll do my best.”

A

She stepped aside, allowingcloser to the bed. Her mother lay there, pale and still, her chest rising and falling

weakly with each labored breath. She had a thin oxygen tube hooked to her nose, and her frail frlooked

even smaller against the sterile hospital sheets. Her face was shadowed by fatigue and pala, with dark circles

under her eyes and thin, cracked lips. | skimmed the chart, noting her diagnosis-Stage IV congestive heart

failure. Her heart was weak, struggling with every beat, and the medication could only do so much to ease the

burden. She needed a transplant, but her age and weakened state made her a complicated candidate.

| gently reached for her wrist, checking her pulse. It was faint but steady, a small victory in this battle that was

as much hers as it was ours. | could feel Mikayla’s eyes watchingclosely, her gaze filled with a mixture of

hope and despair, as if she were searching my face for shidden truth

After a moment, | released her mother’s hand and turned back to Mikayla, who was still watchingintently.

Her expression was unreadable, her defenses wavering, yet | could sense the desperate question simmering

beneath the surface. She finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper, “Do you think shell, she’ll ever get better?”

| felt my throat tighten. It was the question every doctor dreads-having to balance between realism and hope,

especially when facing the unrelenting grip of a chronic condition. But there was a flicker of possibility, a glimmer

of hope, even if it was faint.

| knelt beside Mikayla, looking her straight in the eyes. “It’s hard to say,” | admitted softly. “But there’s a chance.

Your mom is fighting hard, and we're going to give her everything we can. With the right treatment, she could

stabilize and improve enough to have a better quality of life. It’s not an easy road, but there is hope, Mikayla.”

She podded slowly, looking back at her mother. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and a fragile smile touched her

lips. “Thank you. I just.. | needed to hear that,” she murmured

| nodded, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “It’s going to be tough, but you're not alone in this. I'll be

here for you both. And if you ever need to talk, I'm just down the hall.”

She looked up at me, her defenses finally breaking down as her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Thank you,

Dr. Pierce. It means a lot to finally have a doctor that actually cares.”

| gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and then gathered my things to leave when | felt my phone buzz in my

pocket and | brought it out abd my heart raced.

Just seeing his non my phone alone was enough to do that.

| opened the next and read:

I'll send someone to get you after work. We need to talk about what you said on the altar. About not ending the

contract

SEND GIFT

COMMENT

eave when | felt my phone buzz in my pocket and | brought it out abd my heart raced.

Just seeing his non my phone alone was enough to do that.

| opened the next and read:

I'll send someone to get you after work. We need to talk about what you said on the altar. About not ending the

contract

SEND GIFT

COMMENT