The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

hapter 125

Chapter 125

-Grayson'’s POV-

“No.”

40%

That single, two-lettered word was enough to erase the smug smile from Evelyn's face. Her lips parted slightly,

and her perfectly arched brows furrowed. “No?” she repeated, her voice soft but incredulous, like she couldn't

quite believe what she'd heard.

You're adding selective hearing to your list of problems?” | asked, my tone dry. | didn’t wait for her response.

“I've warned

u once. Evelyn, and | suggest you heed it. There won't be another warning if you crossagain. Now, leave.”

For a moment, she stood there blinking, as if trying to process the command. Then her composure snapped back

into place. Her chin lifted, and the fire in her eyes reignited. “You methere, Grayson. Me. This isn’t a place

for people like you, and if anyone should leave, it’s you.”

A dark smile touched my lips as | gestured toward the security staff standing near the entrance. “Actually,” |

began, savoring the moment, “I now own this restaurant. That means | decide who stays and who goes. Leave

cordially, or they will escort you out.”

Her head snapped around to look at the two men now moving toward her. She gasped, turning back to me, her

face a mask of disbelief. “How did you-? When did you buy-? You don’t even—"

One of the security men reached out to take her arm, but she yanked it back violently. “Do not touch me,” she

hissed, venom dripping from her words.

Her gaze swung back to me, filled with pure, unfiltered contempt. “This isn’t over, Grayson,” she spat, grabbing

her things and storming toward the exit.

| watched her leave, every eye in the room following her tic departure. A faint flicker of satisfaction ran

through me. If there was one thing every Pierce despised more than anything, it was public humiliation. That's

exactly why | had purchased this pretentious little restaurant in the first place to show her that I could strip away

her power, piece by piece, any t| wanted.

But as the high of the moment began to wear off, a wave of irritation crashed over me. The paperwork, the

meetings, the hevitable headache of managing yet another restaurant-all of it would now be my problem. And

for what? A fleeting victory over Evelyn Pierce?

No, there was something else gnawing at me, something far more aggravating. Her words lingered in my mind

like an echo that refused to fade. Evelyn knew about the curse. Not just that it existed, but details-too many

details from the expression on her face but even if she hadn't directly demanded Ava’s return to her, | would

never have said yes because | would rather rip out my own heart before | ever bent to her will.

| pulled out my phone and dialed Maria. She answered on the first ring. “If | had found anything tangible, you'd

have already heard from me,” she said before | could speak.

“I'm aware,” | replied, my voice low. “I need you to dig deeper. Look into the history of the Pierces-specifically

the historical aspect with magic. | think they're connected to the curse somehow.”

“You believe Ava’s family is responsible?” Maria asked, skepticism evident in her tone.

“No,” | said, pacing toward the far end of the restaurant where fewer eyes were on me. “But I think they're tied

to it. Maybe we've been searching in the wrong direction.”

was a pati

hamda dey”

the other end. Then she sighed. “Alright. Ill see what | can uncover. I'll reach out to my people and

| said, nodding even though she couldn't see me. “Letknow the moment you find anything.”

| ended the call and was about to dial Carter when a man approached me. He was impeccably dressed, not a

single crease out of place in his tailored suit. His polished shoes clicked softly against the floor as he extended a

hand. His smile was wide, too wide, and it didn’t reach his eyes

“Mr. Blackwood” be began his tone oily. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I'm Andrew Waters, the manager here. |

was informed of the change in ownership, and 1-”

lanced at his outstretched hand but made no move to take it. Instead, | met his gaze with icy disinterest. “You're

here to

sure you'll still be running things around here.”

His hand dropped awkwardly, and he wiped it against his suit. “I-uh-Mr. Blackwood-"

Unless | ask you a question.” | cut in, “do not speak.”

His mouth snapped shut.

“Tell me.” | continued, letting my gaze sweep over the restaurant. “How often does Evelyn Pierce chere?”

“Quite often,” he said quickly.

“So one could say it’s one of her favorite places.” | didn’t wait for him to answer. “Why do you think that is?” |

added, almost, as an afterthought, before immediately shaking my head. “Never mind. Don’t answer that.

Instead, look around and tellthe first word that comes to mind. You have one second.”

His eyes darted around the room, and he blurted out, “Fake.”

“Good” | said with a nod. “You see, Andrew, | like to make statements. Every move | make has to leave an

impact. Left to me, Idshut this place down entirely just to make sure Evelyn never steps foot in it again. I'd strip

away the one thing she loves most: control. And yes, everyone here, including you, would lose their jobs because

you see, I'm not a good person, and I've never pretended to be.”

Andrew's lips parted slightly, as if unsure how to respond.

1 continued, “However, like all great villains in a story, I've met someone who makeswant to be better. A

woman who wouldn’t approve ofputting everyone out of work just to make a point. So here's what we're

going to do, Andrew.” | leaned in slightly, emphasizing his nmaking him flinch.

“You're going to make modifications to the thof this restaurant. Big ones. You have two weeks. And when |

bring my wife here, | want to see that beautiful smile of hers light up the room because she likes what you've

done. Do | make myself clear?

His head bobbed up and down, his eyes wide.

lovely chat.

12:37 Fri, 3 Jan

Chapter 123

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*40%

There was a pause on the other end. Then she sighed. “Alright. I'll see what | can uncover. I'll reach out to my

people aid handle it discreetly”

“Good,” | said, nodding even though she couldn't see me. “Letknow the moment you find anything”

| ended the call and was about to dial Carter when a man approached me. He was impeccably dressed, not a

single crease out of place in his tailored suit. His polished shoes clicked softly against the floor as he extended a

hand. His smile was wide. too wide, and it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Mr. Blackwood,” he began, his tone oily. “It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Andrew Waters, the manager here. |

was informed of the change in ownership, and 1-”

lanced at his outstretched hand but made no move to take it. Instead, | met his gaze with icy disinterest. “You're

here to make sure you'll still be running things around here.”

His hand dropped awkwardly, and he wiped it against his suit. “I-uh-Mr. Blackwood-"

“Unless | ask you a question,” | cut in, “do not speak.”

His mouth snapped shut.

“Tell me,” | continued, letting my gaze sweep over the restaurant. “How often does Evelyn Pierce chere?”

“Quite often,” he said quickly.

“So one could say it’s one of her favorite places.” | didn’t wait for him to answer. “Why do you think that is?” |

added, almost, as an afterthought, before immediately shaking my head. “Never mind. Don’t answer that.

Instead, look around and tellthe first word that comes to mind. You have one second.”

His eyes darted around the room, and he blurted out, “Fake.”

“Good,” | said with a nod. “You see, Andrew, I like to make statements. Every move | make has to leave an

impact. Left to me, Id shut this place down entirely just to make sure Evelyn never steps foot in it again. I'd strip

away the one thing she loves most: control. And yes, everyone here, including you, would lose their jobs because

you see, I'm not a good person, and I've never pretended to be.”

Andrew's lips parted slightly, as if unsure how to respond.

1 continued, “However, like all great villains in a story, I've met someone who makeswant to be better. A

woman who wouldn’t approve ofputting everyone out of work just to make a point. So here's what we're

going to do, Andrew.” | leaned in slightly, emphasizing his nmaking him flinch.

“You're going to make modifications to the thof this restaurant. Big ones. You have two weeks. And when |

bring my wife here, | want to see that beautiful smile of hers light up the room because she likes what you've

done. Do | make myself clear?”

His head bobbed up and down, his eyes wide.

“Good,” | said, stepping back. “And a word of advice-loosen the tie. It looks like it's strangling you. This was a

lovely chat, don’t you think?”

He nodded again, and with that, | turned and walked away.

Eyes followedas | exited the restaurant, but | ignored them. Soon, this place would be unrecognizable, and

the satisfaction of knowing | had taken something precious from Evelyn would be enough.

2/3

12:37 En, 3 Jan

Chapter 125

%40%4

Once outside, | scrolled through my phone to dial Carter, but his call cthrough first. | answered immediately,

“Are you having someone watch me?” | asked. “I was just about to call you”

Carter's usual drawl was absent, replaced by a tone that sent a ripple of unease through me. “You have a

problem,” he said bluntly. “I didn’t catch it sooner because | wasn’t looking and | don’t usually involve myself in

werewolf politics, but word is spreading in Ricardo’s pack. They think you're responsible for his death.”

| exhaled sharply, irritation prickling at my nerves. “I'm aware of the rumors. Someone is trying to dethrone me,

killing Alphas, and making it look like I'm behind it. I'll deal with anyone foolish enough to believe the lies and

cafter me.”

Carter's voice dropped lower, colder. “You might want to rethink that confidence, Ricardo’s pack isn't just

spreading rumors they're preparing for war. Word is, they're planning something big. They've declared you a

threat to every pack in the gion. And Grayson... they're not planning to cat you alone.”

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