The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 182

Chapter 162

Ava’s POV-

“Find my fated mate.”

Those four words echoed in my mind, reverberating so loudly that they seemed to shake the very foundation of

my soul. | felt their weight, sharp and cold, as though they were slicing through me.

Grayson let out a heavy sigh, pullinginto his lap. His strong arms encircled me, and despite the chaos in my

mind, | couldn’t deny how safe I felt in his embrace. Maybe, under different circumstances, | would have focused

on how comfortable and secure this position madefeel. But right now?

I wasn't his fated mate.

That realization settled heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe. I'd never considered this before-not

once. Dylan had been mine, my fated mate, but that bond had been severed, and Grayson was my second

chance. Somehow, through everything, | had convinced myself that we were it-that the story was meant to be

about us but this changed everything, He had a fated mate out there somewhere.

The words stumbled from my lips before | could stop them. “Do you... do you know who she is? Or where she is?”

My voice trembled despite my best efforts to stay composed. The thought of losing him, of him leaving me, was

unbearable.

Grayson’s eyes softened as he brushed a strand of hair away from my face. His touch was gentle, reassuring.

“Listen to me,” he said, his tone firm but tender. “I'll find another way to break this curse. | don’t plan on finding

her or mating with her. Do you understand?”

I nodded weakly, but the tears | hadn't even realized were falling betrayed me. My hand shot up to wipe them

away, but he pulledcloser, wrapping his arms aroundso tightly that it felt like he was trying to merge us

into one.

“It’sand you,” he murmured against my hair. “No predestiny, no curse, nothing is going to change that,”

| wanted to believe him. No, | needed to believe him. The thought of a reality where he wasn’t mine was too

painful to accept. | already knew | loved him. With every fiber of my being. | loved him even though | couldn't

find the right tto say it. It was why I'd thrown myself in front of him without a second thought, why I'd put

myself in danger to protect him.

The word | thought | heard my wolf whisper when | fell backwards was: Mate but now | knew | had just heard

what | wanted

to.

It wasn’t possible. It wasn’t true. | wasn’t his fated mate, but as | felt his hands pulleven closer, holding me

as though | was the most precious thing in the world, | had never felt more like | belonged.

A sudden growl interrupted the moment, and it tooka second to realize it cfrom me. Or rather, my

stomach.

Heat rushed to my face as | pulled away, embarrassed. Grayson raised an amused brow, a small smile tugging at

the corners of his lips. “Technically, we haven't eaten in two months.”

0

| let out a shaky laugh, feeling sof the tension ease.

Before | could respond, he stood, liftingeffortlessly and placingon the bed as though | weighed nothing.

He shrugged off his suit jacket, tossing it onto a nearby chair, and loosened his tie with one hand.

“What are you doing?” | asked, watching him curiously as he rolled up his sleeves.

11:43 Tue, Jan 21 » G

Chapter 162

He glanced atwith that rare, soft look he only ever gaveMaking you

dinner.”

The absurdity of it madelaugh, a single tear slipping down ly cheek from the remnants of earlier emotions.

“It’s morning,” | pointed out.

“Breakfast, then.”

He reached for me, taking my hand and pullingto my feet. His grip was firm but gentle, and | couldn't help

but feel warmth spread through me. Together, we walked out of the room and down the quiet hallways. The only

sounds were our footsteps and the occasional nod of acknowledgment from the warriors stationed throughout

the estate.

When we reached the kitchen, Grayson dismissed the two warriors standing outside. They exchanged surprised

glances before bowing and walking away.

It was only when | turned back to him that I noticed the faint smile playing on his lips. It wasn’t a frown or a

neutral expression. He was smiling and this one was different-softer, more genuine.

He opened the kitchen door, revealing the massive, empty space. Without the Omegas bustling around, it felt

even larger than usual.

“You're serious about this,” | teased, unable to hide my amusement.

Instead of responding, he stepped closer, pullingto him again. His hands found my waist, and before | could

protest, he liftedand seton the cold marble counter.

Let out a startled squeal, giggling as I tried to adjust to the chill. “It’s cold!”

“Stay put,” he ordered, his voice low but full of warmth.

| stayed where | was, watching as he moved around the kitchen with surprising ease. It was fascinating, seeing

this side of him-the softer, domestic side he didn’t let anyone else see.

“What are you making?” | asked after a while, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“You'll see.”

| watched him work, the way his hands moved with practiced precision as he grabbed ingredients and utensils.

There was something oddly mesmerizing about it.

Unable to resist, | hopped off the counter and moved closer to see what he was doing. He looked atout of

the corner of his eye but didn’t say anything as | stood beside him, peeking over his shoulder.

“Is that supposed to be an omelet?” | teased, noting the slightly uneven mixture he was whisking.

He smirked, pausing to glance at me. “Careful, or you'll end up doing the cooking.”

I rolled my eyes, nudging him playfully. “I'll take my chances.”

3

He turned to facefully, his expression shifting to something softer, more serious. For a moment, we just

stood there, the air between us charged with an unspoken tension.

His hand cup to cup my face, his thumb brushing lightly against my cheek. | didn’t realize I'd stopped

breathing until he leaned in, closing the distance between us.

When his lips met mine, it was like everything else faded away. The curse, the uncertainty, the fear-it all

dissolved in that

E

74%

Chapter 162

single, electrifying moment.

His arms wrapped around me, pullingcloser as the kiss deened. | clung to him, my fingers tangling in his

hair. Without breaking the kiss, he lifted ine effortlessly, carryingback to the counter.

| wrapped my legs around his waist, holding onto him like he was my lifeline, his hands settling on my hips as he

pulled back just enough to meet my gaze.

“Grayson...”

His ncout as barely more than a whisper, but he silencedwith another kiss, stealing the breath

from my lungs.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the curse, not fate, not the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

There was only us.

| pulled away just enough to glance at the kitchen door, my heart racing for more reasons than one. | knew

exactly where this was heading, and the thought both thrilled and unnerved me. My voice cout breathy as |

met his gaze. “Someone could walk in... or hear us.”

His lips curved into a slow, breathtaking smile, one that made my stomach flutter. “Then let them,” he

murmured, his voice low and full of confidence.

Before | could respond, he closed the distance between us, smashing his lips on mine once more.

word

word

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWL1i10f1ifl0&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1