The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 86

-Ava’s POV-

I had convinced myself that he would driveto insanity, but yet, here | was, staring at myself in the mirror,

trying to force the tension out of my eyes as | applied my makeup. My hands shok slightly, not from nerves, but

from the weight of everything that had happened over the past few days. The anger, the frustration, the

constant back-and-forth in my mind about Grayson, all of it swirling together.

But | was going to push that aside for the sake of the gathering because | really wanted to get to know these

people even though | was tired, so tired of the heaviness, tired of fighting battles that didn't even feel worth it

anymore. The only thing keepingsane in this moment was the thought of escaping for a few hours, trying to

blend in, to feel like | was part of something that wasn’t so suffocating even if still centered around him. But

maybe | could forget about him for a while.

I was just finishing up my makeup when the door to my room suddenly swung open. | expected it to be Grayson,

but the voice that echoed through the room was unmistakable.

“Tis L Isabella's voice rang out, filled with her usual mischievous energy.

A smile broke across my face instantly, the tension in my shoulders relaxing as | turned to face her. Isabella was

a breath of fresh air in a room full of stale air.

“What are you doing here?” | asked, raising an eyebrow as | caught her standing in the doorway with her usual

confident

smile.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through it for a moment before speaking. “Grayson is being an asshole, and

there's going to be a feast tonight,” she said, reading my earlier message aloud.

My mind registered the words, but before I could comment, she added, “Which means there’s going to be free

food. Bels. do you want to come?”

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head with a small laugh. “You are so you

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I know. So, are we going to talk about what Grayson did this

twhile. you get ready?” she asked, slipping into her usual pattern.

“No,” | replied firmly, a sigh escaping my lips. “I'm so tired of all our conversations being centered around him. |

just want to Laugh and talk and get to know these people, that’s all Speaking of which...” | started, but Isabella's

face shifted into a an annoyed expression.

“Nuh-uh,” she cutoff before | could finish, raising a finger in the air, as if to say, “I know exactly where

you're going with this and we shall not be talking about it either.”

| laughed, shaking my head. She always knewtoo well. “I guess we're on the spage,” | admitted, unable

to stop myself from grinning

The smile returned to her face and stepped into the room, her presence immediately lightening the atmosphere.

She moved toward the mirror where | was finishing up my makeup, watchingfor a moment. “You look good.

You always do, though,” she said, her voice soft but genuine.

“Thanks,” | said, glancing at myself one last tin the mirror. | wasn’t looking for anything too fancy. The dress

was casual simple, yet elegant enough for the occasion. A light blue dress that flowed just above my knees,

comfortable yet flattering. with a neckline that was modest but still allowed a hint of my collarbone to show. |

paired it with soft flats and minimal accessories-just a silver chain around my neck and a small bracelet on my

wrist. It wasn’t about impressing anyone, it was letting the pack know that | wasn’t sstuck up Laina,

Isabella nodded in approval, her smile widening. “Alright, then let's go, | heard feast and didn’t bother to eat. I'm

starving She grabbed my arm and pulledtoward the door before | could protest but I laughed still. “You are

always hungry.”

Chapter 86

vot

As we walked through the hudhways of the mansion. Ecouldn’t help but feel a sense of doral sending into my

stomach. The air had shifted as the day was darkening, the sky torming from pinks and purples to deep blues. It

wasive spuite night yet. but the shadows were wrenching scross the estate, and | couldn cihake the feeling that

something wrong was about to happen. The secluded ses where the gathering was being held far enough from

the main part of the estate that Grayson would likely never find in which was why | am wre the chosen thut ipot

| had

When we reached the clearing where the feast was being held the atmosphere fels different The tension in the r

thickened, and for a brief moment | stopped in my tracks. The odd beforewas massive, but ner in the way |

had expected. It wasn’t jos orgs like | thought was almost

the entire park it wemned. | could feel the weight of hne their eyes onas | walked into the open space, and a

litle but fell over the crowd. The shift in the air was palpable a mis of curiosity, hesitations, and something the

celdn’t prepare

| stood frozen for a moment, the weight of their gazes pressing down on me. Then, from the crowd, | saw hom

Ivan The driver who had takento Isabella’s house that day depped forward. The moment he saw me, his

expression sohened, and he straightened his back. With a grace | hadn’t expected, he bowed slightly before me,

the gesture respectful but also welcoming

“Luna, welcome” he said, his voice warm and clear.

1 blinked in surprise, unsure of how to react. “Thank you.” | managed to say

At that moment Brianna followed suit. She, too, bowed slightly offering a smile that was small but genuine | am

really glad you could make it. Luna” she said, her voice soft and filled with warmth.

I nodded and Isabella, sensing my hesitation, squeezed my arm gently and whispered, “It’s infuriating but

everyone ends upe loving you. They will too.”

“Stop” | muttered under my breath, trying to keep a smile from creeping onto my face

The rest of the pack started to relax as the initial tension dissipated. It felt like | had stepped into a world that

was both familiar and completely foreign to me. | knew | was the outsider just like | had always left when | was

Dylan's Luna but something about this tfelt like there was hope. Like things were not automatically closed

off because of how he treated

It felt like | could actually get the chance to be an actual Luna with everything that comes with it and with how

my parents raisedto own responsibility, | was looking forward to it

“Td like to introduce my best friend, Isabella,” | said, breaking the silence and turning to her with a smile

Isabella didn’t miss a beat. She grinned widely and waltzed right up to the nearest group of pack members.

Don’t mindI'm just here for the food And I'm definitely here to make sure this one doesn’t hure you all,” she

said with a bold personality sharing through

The group around us chuckled and just like that, the ice was broken. Conversations slowly picked up again,

laughter aut chatter filling the air. The pack members began to warm up, their initial hesitation dissipating as

babella effortles charmed them. She always had that effect on prople

1 found myself gravitating toward a small group of women who looked approachable. As | began to call with

them, | startesi to feel the pressure in my chest ease. It was strange to feel this confortable with them, but the

longer we spoke, the more natural it felt. They asked about my life, about how | was adjusting, and we shared

small laughs over

| was starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t going to be a disaster

Then, out of nowhere. Brianna’s grandfather appeared He bow slightly. | owe you a great deal for saving me

earlier. | can’t thank you enougd

| nodded, understanding his meaning “You don’t have to thanke replied quietly, though a small part ofknew |

had done what needed to be done “But | will try to make sure he is er or all of us”

08:52

Tue, Dec

Chapter 86

As the words left my mouth, | realized | wasn’t sure | truly believed them. Could I really fix him? Could | break

down Grayson Blackwood'’s walls”

But the old man only nodded, his eyes softening with gratitude. “I appreciate that more than you know and |

didn’t get a chance to formally introduce myself. I'm Charles.”

| smiled, ready to lighten the moment with a silly comment, when the everywhere fell silent. Conversations

halted mid- sentence, laughter died in throats, and every pair of eyes turned to the figure standing at the edge

of the gathering.

Elaine.

She stood with her arms crossed, her sharp gaze sweeping over everyone like they were dirt beneath her heels.

Her voice sliced through the tense quiet, cold and sharp.

“So this is why | can’t find anyone to makedinner? You're all here, sitting on your asses, doing nothing. Who

gave you permission to gather like this?”

Without thinking, | stepped forward, my voice steady but carrying a weight | hadn't fully realized | had.

“I did.”

Her

gaze strapped to me, sharp as a blade, narrowing with disdain. “Of course,” she sneered, her lip curling, “Low

lives always find each other. Well, the party’s over. Everyone back to your duties.”

A few began to shuffle nervously, but | raised my voice before they could leave.

No one is leaving. Except you.”

The words hung in the air like a challenge. Elaine let out a mocking laugh, dismissive and full of venom. She

didn’t even look atas she barked, “I am the Alpha King’s cousin. | say they're going back to work.”

“And | am the Luna,” | countered, stepping closer, my voice calm but unyielding. “And you're really testing my

patience.”

Her laughter grew louder, almost unhinged. She finally turned her full attention to me, her eyes glinting with

malice. “Luna?” she mocked, the word dripping with scorn. “You are the Luna?

| opened my mouth to respond, but Elaine’s voice rose again, cuning through the room and freezingin place.

Her words hit like a thunderclap, leaving the air heavy with tension

“You think | don’t know about your little arrangement with Grayson? How your marriage is fake? That he hired

you to play his pretend Luna?”

SEND GIFT

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