The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson)
My Billionaire King 16

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Chapter 16

-Grayson's POV-

The entire room went still for a second. Liam's eyes flickered was unease. Elaine's face paled, as if all the blood had drained from it. Ava's e Isabella shrugged, completely unfazed. "You said you wouldn't tell. I made no such promises."

I still hadn't said anything. There was no need to rush. The silence itself was a weapon, and I knew how to wield it well. I wasn't stupid- far from it. I'd known for a while now that Liam and Elaine were sneaking around, trying to cover their tracks with the

guise of mutual hatred. The stolen glances, the awkward tension-

they couldn't hide it from me, not even if they tried

They were all waiting, expecting me to say something.

I kept quiet, letting the tension build, letting the threat of silence hang heavy in the air.

It was Liam who finally broke, stepping forward with a slight bow of his head, his voice steady but tight. "Grayson, I meant no disrespect. El

My gaze flickered from him to Elaine, who was staring at me with wide, almost pleading eyes. Then, to Ava, who looked torn between irritat okay."

The single word cut through the air like a knife. Simple. Cold. But loaded with enough weight to keep them on edge.

Elaine's voice wavered, unsure of where this was going. "Okay? You're.. fine with it?"

I could feel the corners of my lips twitch, not quite a smile but something close enough to make the atmosphere more suffocating. “Do you n The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. The truth was, I didn't care much that they were sneaking around. Liam was competent to let him be with my baby cousin. But that didn't mean I was going to make it easy for them. I had no intention of giving them an out from this discomfort. If they were going to be together, they'd have to earn it

Elaine opened her mouth as if to respond but hesitated, unsure of what to say. searching for some kind of confirmation, but none came.

Her eyes

darted between me and Liam,

And then, of course, Isabella chimed in, completely oblivious—or maybe entirely aware-

of the tension in the room. “I didn't know it was possible for her to be this mellow," she mused with a sly grin.

My wolf growled with something akin to interest. Not the type he felt for Ava which was like a spark of fire but the type that told me he liked I Elaine's head snapped in her direction, and for a moment, it looked like she was going to snap back, but Ava stepped in, grabbing Isabella's Isabella, however, didn't seem to get the memo, laughing softly as she let Ara pull her out of the room. "Come on, I was just getting started, Now, it was just me, Liam, and Elaine. The tension in the room still lingered, though it had shifted slightly. Liam, always one to try and fix thir Chapter 16

"I apologize that this happened the way it did, Grayson, Liam began,

hits voire low and measured. "But my feelings for

Elaine are real,"

Elaine crossed her arms, trying hard to look composed, but I could hear the slight tremor in her voice. "I know I should've come to you first, here. I'm sorry. I know I'm messed up. I know, but Liam... She sighed, defeated. “Liam makes those feelings a little better

I said nothing. Just stared, letting her words hang in the air. I could see her wavering, but I didn't offer her any relief. I wasn't in the mood to

blank

Then I smiled. “Well, if that's the case, how could I possibly refuse

Elaine blinked, probably caught off guard by my response, but she forced a smile in return, choosing to ignore the sharp edge in my tone. Ty "I need to shower," she muttered, more to herself than anyone c. I'll see you later."

I watched her glance at Liam, her eyes softening for a split second before she turned to me. I saw the unease in her gaze as she masked h The silence between us was heavy, deliberate. Liam was shifting his weight like he was ready for me to explode.

"You're thinking of all the ways you could skin me alive and hang me out for everyone to see, aren't you?" Liam finally broke the tension, hi tilted my head, giving him a measured look. “And what gave you that impression?"

He exhaled a shaky laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Come on, Grayson. I've known you long enough to know when you're not reacting

my

I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I turned away from him and made my way over to the bar, grabbing a bottle and pouring myself a drir

I held the glass up, inspecting it. “I should probably have everything in here sterilized.”

Liam didn't respond, and I didn't expect him to. I took a slow sig before turning my attention back to him.

"I swore to protect her," I said quietly, my voice steady but cold. After everything that happened between us in the past, you more than anyo Liam's posture straightened, and he nodded, his expression serious. “I do.”

Satisfied, I poured another drink and handed it to him. “Then I'm not mad. I paused, letting my words sink in. "But if your hurt her... “Yeah, yeah,” Liam interrupted with a chuckle, accepting the glass. “My skin being flayed will be the least of my worries, right?"

I didn't respond, just raised an eyebrow. The two of us sat down in silence, the tension slowly ebbing away but never fully leaving the room. If there was anyone I trusted with Elaine, it was him.

The silence stretched on for a few moments before Liam broker again. "Why her?"

I didn't need to ask who he was talking about, but I didn't answer right away. I just stared into my drink, letting the question

Chapter 16

linger.

Dec

"I get that you need a Lama,” Lian continued when I didn't respond. "That the circumstances around Ava are... odd, to say least. And now h

the

I clenched my jaw, the mention of Luther Pierce already setting my blood on fire. Til handle Luther Pierce,” I growled, my wolf stirring inside Liam's eyebrows shot up at the venom in my tone, "Is she... is sh your mate!"

Mate. The word echoed in my head, stirring something dangerolis. No, Ava wasn't my mate. She had found the one destined for her. I wasn I downed the rest of my drink without answering and stood up abruptly. Liam didn't push the subject, smart enough to know when to back of Without another word, I headed for the door. I needed air. I needed space. My wolf was restless, clawing at me from the inside, begging to I As I stepped outside, the cold night air hit me, but it did little to cool the fire burning inside. That's when 1 heard voices.

Familiar voices.

AvL

My steps quickened as the voices grew louder, and when I rounded the corner, I saw them.

Ava was standing in front of Dylan, her posture tense. "Leave, Dylan, before he realizes you're here," she snapped, her voice sharp and full You'll what? My voice cut through the night like a knife as I stepped into the light. My wolf was practically vibrating under my skin, hungry for