The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson)
My Billionaire King 52

Chapter 52

-Grayson's POV-

I knew pulling the wedding forward without warning her was bound to provoke a reaction. I expected it, even counted on it. I knew she'd be about me making such a drastic decision without consulting her, yet none of that seemed to matter in that moment. All that registered in my I needed to protect her.

I'd mobilized resources, pulled strings and brought in people to support the event planner Ava had hired. Everything would be ready by tom it took. Eliza was handling the details, and I intended this to be her final test-

to see if she was capable of holding her position, even when dragged in on a Saturday to handle this. She'd better prove herself.

But now?

Now all I could think of was Ava.

I'd heard people say kissing 'the one' could feel like a revelation, like you'd found something meant for you. I never bought into that. For me

Until now.

When her lips parted in surprise, I deepened the kiss, letting myself be carried by a desire I hadn't anticipated. She gasped, and I felt a surg Those few seconds felt like the most real moment of my adult life. And then, reluctantly, I pulled back, watching as she blinked, her eyes swi And then reality snapped back for her. She stepped away, looking at me with wide eyes. I maintained my cold, steady gaze as I explained, “ to make them believe we can't wait to get married."

My tone was calm, calculated, keeping my wolf in check even as he snarled within me, restless and irritable. What was his problem? Why d She's not our mate. I told myself that, but something about the pain

that flashed across her face made me feel an unfamiliar pang of... regret. She quickly composed herself, though, her voice steady as she re She turned, beginning to walk away toward her friend, who was watching us with a gleeful expression that grated on my

nerves.

But just as she reached a few steps away, Ava stopped, turning back to face me with a steady gaze. “I asked Eliza to be one of my bridesm

I nodded curtly. She turned and resumed her steps, her figure becoming smaller as she moved away.

Then the words that I hadn't voiced rang loud in my head, haunting me. No, it wasn't just for show: I kissed you because I wanted to.

I hadn't lied about the paparazzi. I'd seen the man with the camera and knew we needed to appear convincing. Yet, when I pulled her close

Because I wanted to.

Frustration pulsed through me as I stalked to my car, yanking the door open and slamming it shut with a force that echoed

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in the silence. My body had reacted to her touch again, and it annoyed me to no end. Damn these emotions-

they had no place in my life.

I clenched the steering wheel, scowling as I thought of the one person who could've helped me avoid this mess: Maria. If she'd just agreed emotions, I wouldn't be in this predicament.

With a grimace, I drove back to my mansion, passing by Monica's things were still piled up after I had them extracted from Elaine's house w My angry footsteps echoed through the hall as I made my way to my study. Once I reached, I tried to replace anything distracting, anything to o "You know, sometimes I think you take our friendship for granted. I rearranged my plans to be at your wedding, and now you pull it forward

I sighed, irritation creeping in. “Do you ever get tired of being yourself?”

"You didn't snap at me, you must be really nervous at this wedding."

"I'm not in the mood." I snapped, "did you call to tell me something actually important?”

“Ah, there he is-the Grayson I know

and love,” Carter chuckled, then his tone turned more serious. “I did call for a reason. Luther Pierce's claws are out of your company and he

A small, reluctant smile tugged at my lips. "You're always on my bad side, Carter. But I appreciate the work.”

I moved to end the call, but Carter's voice held me. “Look, I know you have no concept of friendship, but like it or not, we're friends, I'm takir your wedding for the world. You might not get another chance at this-fake or not. See you tomorrow."

With that, he hung up, leaving me staring at the phone in silence.

What the hell was going on?

Why was everyone suddenly so full of feelings?

And why wasn't the satisfaction of pulling Luther Pierce's claws from my company and him taking a hit gratifying as I'd expected?

A knock at the door broke my thoughts, and I looked up to see Liam leaning against the frame, a smirk on his face. "You know, most people I set the phone down, sighing. "What are you doing here?"

Liam stepped into the room, running a hand through his hair. “Just finished convipeing Elaine that you're not the villain she seems to think y I rolled my eyes, exasperation creeping into my tone. "I did not sign off on her letting Monica take the apartment. I only told her she could m Liam nodded, settling into the chair across from me. "Well, she's calmed down now. I convinced her to get some rest.” His eyes lit up with a

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I gave him a flat stare, and he held his hands up in mock surrender. “Right, I forgot. Excitement isn't in your vocabulary. But at least tell me y

I scoffed. "The priest has been instructed to skip the vows. He'll announce us as married, and that'll be the end of it.”

Liam shook his head, chuckling under his breath. “Leave it to you to turn a wedding into a business transaction."

For a moment, the room fell

silent as Liam studied me, his gaze turning thoughtful. “You know, Grayson, for all your cold-

hearted exterior, I think there's a part of you that actually cares and while I still replace the whole circumstances surrounding your marriage to h

I looked away, unwilling to admit anything to him-

or to myself. The thought of caring was something I had long buried, a weakness I couldn't afford. And yet, there was Ava, and the way she want to go.

"It's just business," I said, my voice hardened, as if I could will myself into believing it.

"Right," Liam murmured, a hint of amusement in his tone as he got up. "Just remember, Grayson. No matter how much you try to convince y The silence in the room grew heavier, and I could feel my wolf pacing within me, restless, stirring up emotions I was too proud to name. Ava

I leaned forward, pulling out the contract and opening it. I stared at her signature at the bottom and Liam's words echoed.

"Ava Blackwood."

She would bear my name until our make believe ended then the contract would be null and we will walk different paths but as I stared, there I wanted her to bear my name, be Ava Blackwood. Permanently

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