The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 70

-Ava’s POV-

This wasn’t how I'd expected my week to end.

When | signed those divorce papers, | truly believed it was over. But here | was, replaying the words of that letter

in my

head.

Fifty-two times.

That's how many times I'd read it between last night and this morning before Grayson showed up to bring me

back. | knew him well enough to realize he wouldn’t want to discuss it, but it lingered in my mind.

I wondered what he had done that could have been so horrible that he felt the need to seal off his emotions.

| wondered how truly terrible his childhood must have been growing up with a physically abusive father.

| wondered if Elaine was the liule cousin he mentioned, and where his mother might have been through all of it.

Now, as | sat silently in the car while he droveto Maria's, to see if | could unlock my wolf, a thousand-no, a

million- questions swirled in my mind, and | knew | had to keep them to myself.

| couldn’t imagine how hard it must've been for him to write those words, so | wasn’t going to push. There was so

rouch left unspoken between us, but for now, I'd be grateful for what he had shared.

The car was quiet, though there was a new, unspoken comfort in the silence. | reached for the radio, hoping

music might calm the whirling questions in my mind. Just as | tuned in, a news report began, and | was about to

change it when Grayson’s hand gently stopped mine.

“Hold on a second,” he murmured, still focused on the road.

“I just wanted to listen to smusic,” | said, glancing at him. His gaze was fixed ahead, unreadable as always.

“Wait,” he said, nodding towards the radio.

I sighed and sat back, listening to the reporter's voice filter through. “A prominent millionaire, Marcus Denver

was found. dead in his home, she said “The cause of death has been ruled murder, with the heart removed from

the body. Authorities believe foul play is involved.”

The reporter's words were chilling. My heart picked up, and as she continued, she said his name.

Realization seuled over me, and | turned to Grayson. “He was an Alpha, wasn’t he?”

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

He gavea brief nod, his face expressionless.

“I remember his name. My mother madememorize the names and bloodlines of every Alpha when | was

little, though I never understood why,” | murmured, more to myself than to him.

He replied quietly, “He was. That's why | asked you to hold on. Bet you can change the channel now,”

I hesitated “No. | want to listen.”

He didn’t argue, just returned his gaze to the road as we both listened in silence. The news anchor continued,

speculating about possible motives and the power struggles among people that have wanted him dead because

of his money because the world didn’t know the part about him being an Alpha. Finally, | turned back to him, the

gravity of it all settling on my shoulders.

19:29 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 70

86%

“Alphas don't just.. end up Igarl. They always have so much security and protection. | mean, you all have guards

ready to protect you with their lives if need be right? Was he someone you knew? An ally?”

Grayson shook his head, his tone cold, controlled. “No. I'm very selective about who | align with. And you're

right-Alphas don’t usually get murdered. But he wasn’t an ally, so it’s not my concern. You can change the

station now.”

There was something final in his tone, though I could tell he was trying to soften it. | switched the station

reluctantly, only for “Paper Rings” by Taylor Swift to con. Just as | moved to hange it, Grayson’s hand

stopped mine.

“Leave it,” he said softly.

| stayed quiet, listening to the lyrics about paper rings and love, wondering if he was listening, too. The car ride

continued in silence, with her words filling the space between us. Darling, you're the one | want. My cheeks

warmed, and | quickly turned my gaze out the window, trying to hide my blush.

The car finally slowed, coming to a stop in front of a small house surrounded by bright flowers. Grayson got out

first, and I quickly followed, watching as he pulled a key from his pocket. The sight madepause.

He caught my look and explained, “She enchanted the house so he can’t hear anyone knock. Hates being

disturbed. So, she gavea key.”

Without watting, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. | wasn’t sure what to expect, my mind flitting

between images potions in jars and ominous symbols. Inside, it was... odd. Not quite witchy but close, with herbs

and old books lining the walls.

“Maria,” Grayson called.

A figure emerged from the back room, throwing something ontto the floor that exploded in a puff of smoke.

Maria raised her hand tically, announcing, “Tis 1”

Grayson stared, completely unamused. “Who else would it be?”

She grinned, completely ignoring his tone, and turned to me. | see you finally got your head out of your ass and

brought back the beautiful bride. I'm Maria, by the way. Now that we're not meeting under world-ending

circumstances”

| couldn't help but smile, extending my hand to her, but she ignored it, pullinginto a hug instead. She

whispered, “I'm so happy you cback.”

There was a warmth in her voice that tugged at my heart, and | found myself oddly comforted. She stepped

back, grinning widely. “So, what brings you here today? Wantto cast a spell to guarantee a baby on the first

try!”

“No!” | spluttered, my face heating up as Grayson snapped, “Maria, behave yourself.”

She only rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t let him teach you to be humorless. But seriously, what can | do for you?”

“I need you” Grayson started, but she held up a hand.

“I was talking to Ava,” she interrupted. “You're cut off from my services for a good five months. | had to sleep

three days straight to recover last time.”

Grayson scoffed, “Sleeping is your hobby.”

“Exactly. | sleep for enjoyment, not because I'm exhausted from saving narcissistically induced alpha king's

asses.”

“That sentence doesn’t even make sense?

“Doesn't matter, | said it anyway,” she retorted with a smirk. | looked between them, realizing there was a

history here. They fought like siblings, but.. were they?

of

Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 70

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

| cleared my throat, drawing, their attention back to me. “Sorry to interrupt but | was kind of hoping you could do

a spell and see if you could release my wolf Grayson said you tried to link us before and during that time, |

healed and then | felt her so if your magic was able to do that maybe you could helpreach her?”

The amusement in Maria's eyes faded as she studied me, then looked at Grayson, who gave her a single, solenn

nod. Maria turned back to me. “I can try. I'm not promising anything, but look through my spell book and see

what | can find.”

She gestured forto make myself comfortable and then pointed at Grayson. “And you, make Ava stea.

Healing tea?

He scoffed. “I don’t know how to make healing tea”

Maria's grin widened. “Oh, | know, | just wanted to hear you admit there's something you can’t do.”

She laughed as she disappeared into the back room, leaving Grayson glaring after her. | stifled a laugh of my

own and asked, “How long have you two known each other? You argue like siblings”

“I've known her since we were kids,” he muttered, eyes still fixed on the doorway she'd vanished through. “And

no, we're not related.

Like I'd want to be related to your grumpy ass,” she shouted from the back, clearly hearing everything.

| was about to speak when Grayson’s phone chimed sharply, cutting through the silence. He pulled it out, eyes

narrowing as he glanced at the screen, his expression shifting in an instant-his usual guarded look transforming

into something far colder, sharper.

| hesitated but pushed through, asking softly. “Did something happen?”

He clenched his jaw briefly, still staring at the message as though it might change if he looked hard enough. “I

just got word from one of the Alphas I'm aligned with,” he began, his voice dropping into a low, controlled tone.

“Marcus wasn’t the only one killed last night. Two more Alphas were found dead, each with their hearts ripped

out.”

A shiver ran throughas the weight of his words settled. My heart thudded in my chest, every nerve firing off

in warning

| processed the implication.

“Three dead Alphas in one night...” | said slowly, piecing it together. “That's not a coincidence. It's a pattern.

Someone is targeting Alphas.” | looked up at him, feeling the dread sink deeper. “And if that's true, then there's a

chance you're on their list too. You're the Alpha King, Grayson.”

SEND GIFT

COMMENT

0