The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

herself wouldn't stopfrom throttling him.

“Okay. Thanks,” | muttered, trying to suppress the frustration bubbling over. A tense silence lingered between us

before | added softly, “I'm sorry | haven't been there for you with the whole Jeremy thing. | just...” | trailed off,

guilt tightening my throat.

She offereda small, understanding smile. “It’s fine, Ava. | get it.”

| managed a weak smile back. “So.... have you sorted things out with him? Are you still...”

She sighed deeply, sinking into the chair opposite Grayson’s desk. “I don’t know. He spied on me, Ava. Used me

to get information. But...” Her voice softened. “I love him. He said he wanted to marry me. And now? | just—"

“You don’t know if you can trust him the sway again,” | finished for her, sliding onto the desk inches from

her.

She nodded slowly. “Exactly.”

| paused, thinking. “You know,” | started, “when I really think about it, this is all kind of my fault.”

Her head snapped up, and she frowned. “What? How is any of this your fault?”

“My mother.” The words cout bitter, the nalone tasting like venom. “Evelyn Pierce. She's the one who

sent someone after Jeremy to use you. She wanted information, and she would've stopped at nothing to get it-all

because of me. If I'd just stayed obedient little Ava, none of this would've happened. But ever since my life

collided with Grayson's, it's been chaos. . A constant whirlwind of problems.”

| stopped and smiled faintly. “But honestly? | wouldn't change a thing. Life isn’t supposed to be easy, Eliza. If you

love someone, really love them, you learn to forgive and let go. The road won't always be straight, but it's worth

walking.”

She raised a brow. “So, are you going to forgive Grayson for lying to you?”

| burst out laughing as | hopped off the desk. “Oh, not a chance. He's going to pay for this. Callif you hear

anything?”

She nodded with a small laugh, and | turned to leave but paused as something cto mind. “Oh! My birthday

is on the 15th. It’s going to be more of a ball than a party. Werewolf style, of course. And my mother will be

there.” My smile turned mischievous. “Maybe you can tell her what you think of her.”

1/4

Tue, Jan

Chapter 128

0

8

65%

Eliza laughed, shaking her head. “Thanks for the invite, but | think I'll steer clear of your mother. She sounds

scarier than you make her

to be.”

“She is.” | sighed heavily. “I'll see you there, though. Now, | have to go track Grayson down before I lose my

mind.”

“Good luck with that.”

As | left the office, | dialed Grayson’s number again. This time, it went straight to voicemail. My wolf stirred

uneasily, sending waves of worry through me, but | pushed it away. Then Rickon’s nsuddenly popped up.

Grayson might not admit that he actually liked him but they were becoming close. If anyone knew where

Grayson was, it had to be him.

| called him next, only to have his phone sendstraight to voicemail too. That was odd. A twinge of worry

crept in, and | decided to call Isabella.

She picked up instantly. “If this isn’t a life-or-death situation, I'm hanging up. You've givena job that rivals

Mission Impossible, and I only have three days to pull it off.”

“Have you heard from Rickon?”

“Why would | have heard from him?” she shot back, clearly annoyed.

“Isabella,” | said firmly, “this is serious. Have you?”

Her tone softened, just slightly. “No, | haven't. He hasn't textedhis usual ‘Here's what I've been doing all

day‘ nonsense. | should've known than to actually start looking forward to it.” She sighed. “He is just so

annoying.”

Despite the situation, a smile tugged at my lips and | made a mental note to play matchmaker for the two of

them, yet again. “Try calling him. | think he’s with Grayson, and | can’t find either of them. Rickon’s phone-"

“-is going straight to voicemail,” she finished for me.

“Exactly. They're definitely together.”

“Figures. Cback to the estate, and we'll figure out how to hunt them down.”

Before | could respond, the call disconnected.

With a frustrated sigh, | turned toward the elevator to head back to Grayson’s estate, but out of the corner of my

eye, | spotted Liam emerging from the hallway, heading toward the elevator.

Liam. Of course.

Before | even realized it, my feet were moving on their own, and | was sprinting after him. “Liam! Hold on! Wait!”

| called out, my voice breathless.

He turned just in tto stop the elevator doors from closing. | stumbled inside, bent over, hands on my knees,

gasping for air.

Liam's eyes studiedwith a mix of amusement and concern. Are you okay?”

“Yes,” | managed between pants. “Grayson. | need to find Grayson. Do you know where he is?”

| seriously needed to start doing cardio.

Liam raised a brow but said calmly, “Let's talk in my

office.”

I nodded, still catching my breath, and muttered a faint “Okay.”

When the elevator dinged to a stop, Liam stepped out, his long strides carrying him confidently down the hall. |

followed

2/4

13:11 Tue, Jan 7

Chapter 128

<3

65%

closely, the tension in my chest tightening with every step. He ledto a corner office with polished oak doors,

pushing

and gesturing forto enter.

one open

The moment | stepped inside, my wolf stirred. The faintest hint of a familiar scent tickled my nose, maddeningly

unplaceable. My focus was immediately broken when Liam spoke.

“Take a seat,” he said, his tone firm yet calm.

elusive and

| obeyed, sinking into a plush leather chair as my eyes scanned the room. The office was as opulent as I'd

expected-floor- to-ceiling windows bathed the space in natural light, casting a glow over the sleek mahogany

desk and shelves lined with leather-bound books. On the walls hung tasteful abstract paintings, and a decanter

of what looked like expensive whiskey sat on a side table. It was undeniably impressive, a space that screamed

power and control.

My gaze wandered to his desk, and there it was-a photo in a simple silver frame. The picture seemed out of

place amidst the grandeur, worn and clearly cherished. It featured Liam, Grayson, and Elaine when they were

little. Grayson’s arm was slung casually around Elaine's shoulders while Liam ruffled her hair, eliciting a tic

pout from her. Grayson, though- his gray eyes were alight with joy, a broad, carefree grin on his face. The

happiness in his expression was so foreign from the man | knew now that | couldn’t help but reach out, drawn to

i)

My fingers traced his face in the photograph withoutrealizing it, the memory of him like this-young, stirring

something deep in my chest.

unburdened-

“Those were happier times,” Liam's voice cut through my trance, edged with something | couldn't quite place.

“Before Grayson becGrayson Blackwood.”

| flinched, snatching my hand back and clearing my throat. “I-sorry, | didn’t mean to-"

“It’s fine,” he said, his sharp gaze never leaving mine. For the first time, | realized how unnerving it was to be

alone with Liam. Gone was the lighthearted demeanor he usually wore; his intensity filled the room like a storm

cloud.

Shaking off my unease, | pressed on. “Do you know where Grayson is? He said he was going to be here, but he

isn’t, and Eliza hasn't heard from him in two days.”

“Grayson is fine,” He answered simply, but the set of his jaw betrayed the weight of his words.

My eyes narrowed. “Can | know where exactly he’s being ‘fine“?”

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I like you, Ava. | think you're good for him. But | can’t tell you that. He'll

reach out to you when he’s ready, once he’s sorted out everything he needs to.”

Frustration bubbled in my chest, and | was about to argue when Liam’s phone rang. He held up a hand to silence