The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 159

Chapter 159

-Ava’s POV-

| practically leaped out of my seat forgetting about everything else. “Wait, WHAT?” | exclaimed, my drink

momentarily forgotten as | gaped at her.

Isabella flinched at my volume, but | was already grabbing her shoulders, shaking her lightly the way she used to

do towhenever | had big news. “Why would you start with Elaine?” 1 demanded. “Who cares about Elaine?

This is huge!” art with Elatier 1 Jamaluded. “Who cares about Klaine? This is huger”

She burst into laughter, clutching at my wrists to stop me.. “Stop shaking me! My drink might cback up!”

“Telleverything!” | insisted, ignoring her protests. My voice was a mix of excitement and disbelief. “The last

thing | was ‘extremely foolish.” And now you're marked? What happened? What

remember you saying about Rickon was that he e

changed?”

Still laughing, she pushedback into my seat and took a deep breath. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile

wide and genuine. “Okay, okay. Letexplain.”

| wasn't letting her off that easy. Reaching out, | gently brushed her hair aside, leaning closer to get a better look

at the mark. It was intricate and beautiful, the edges shimmering faintly in a way that made it seem almost alive.

“It’s beautiful,” | said sincerely, leaning back and sighing as | ran a hand through my hair. “Okay, start talking. |

want every detail

Isabella bit her lip, her blush deepening as she glanced down at her hands. “Honestly, there's not much to tell,”

she said, though her tone betrayed her. She was clearly holding back.

“Don’t you dare try to downplay this,” | warned her with a grin.

She sighed, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. “Okay fine. He was just... there. When you

disappeared, | was so worried, Lilian. | didn’t know what to think, where to look, or even what to do. Rickon was

the one who keptsane through all of it. He stayed by my side, helping me, listening to me... And he was

serious. For the first time, | saw how serious he could actually be.”

| tilted my head, intrigued. “Serious? Rickon? Are we

talking about the sguy?”

Isabella laughed softly, her gaze growing distant as she continued. “He pulled every resource he had to help

search for you and Grayson. He didn’t stop-he wouldn't stop. And seeing him like that... it changed something

for me. | guess | realized that beneath all his jokes and his carefree attitude, he really cares. He's... he’s

amazing, Lilian.”

deeper red as she looked away. deeper red as she looked away. “And... one night, it just happened. We Her voice

grew softer, and her cheeks flushed an even were talking, and he said something-something about how he'd

protectno matter what-and | don’t know. It was like something clicked. The next thing | knew...” She trailed

off, smiling as she gestured vaguely toward her mark.

| stared at her, my chest swelling with a mixture of happiness and disbelief. “Wow,” | said finally. “I mean... wow.

| never thought I'd see the day.”

1

She laughed again, covering her face with her hands neither”

Reaching across the table, | squeezed her hand. “I'm so happy for you, Bels. Really. You deserve this.”

Her eyes glistened slightly as she looked at me, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence was

comfortable, filled with the kind of understanding that didn’t need words.

10:33 Mon, Jan 20

Chapter 159

After a moment, | leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. “Okay,” | said, breaking the quiet. “So, Rickon

marked you. Elaine and Liam mated. What else did | miss?”

Isabella's expression sobered slightly, and | immediately regretted my question.

“A lot,” she admitted, her tone heavy. “The realm has been in chaos since you disappeared. There were rumors

about an attack on the throne, but nothing was ever confirmed. Rickon and Ricardo been doing his best to hold

things together, but it hasn’t been easy. Everyone's been on edge, Lilian. We've all been holding our breath,

waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

I nodded slowly, absorbing her words. “And Crystal?” | asked hesitantly just to confirm that she was currently

Doing well. | couldn't stand her and deep down | knew what happened was an accident. | didn’t know I had that

amount of power plus Crystal had made the first move because of Dylan?

Dylan. His nrang out in my head and contrary to what Grayson said in what happened to him.

my subconscious state, | could care less about

Isabella spoke breakingout of my thoughts, “Last | heard, she is still being Crystal. The baby survived, but

it’s still touch and go but it’s too soon to tell if there'll be any long-term effects

Still, | closed my eyes, the weight of her words settling overlike a blanket.”

s is all my fault. | whispered.

“No, it’s not,” Isabella said firmly, reaching across the table to grab my hand. “Lilian, listen to me. None of this is

your fault. You didn’t ask for any of this to happen. You didn’t ask to disappear.

e here now, and that’s what matters.

Her words were kind, but they did little to ease the guilt gnawing at my conscience.

“I just... | need to make this right,” | said finally, “Somehow.”

“You will,” Isabella said softly. “But first, you need to take care of yourself. You can’t help anyone if you're running

on empty.”

I nodded, knowing she was right but still feeling the restless need to do something.

“Con,” Isabella smiled, standing and holding out her hand. Let's get another drink. We've earned it.”

“I thought you were going hbecause you had work tomorrow?” a smooth, commanding voice interrupted,

cutting through the chatter like a blade.

| turned toward the source, and for the first tin my life, | saw Isabella light up like a child on Christmas

morning. Rickon stepped into the room with an air of casual confidence, but it was the man beside him who

made my wolf growl, low and threatening.

Ricardo...

The bastard that hadkidnapped.

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