The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson)
My Billionaire King 53

Chapter 53

-Ava's POV-

I felt him everywhere.

His presence, his touch, his kiss-

each seemed to linger in my very core, filling up every hollow part I hadn't even realized was empty. Kissing wasn't supposed to feel like this startlingly, overwhelmingly real. All my instincts were screaming at

me to stop, to pull away, to remember this wasn't supposed to happen, but all of it faded the moment he deepened the kiss. And before I kn

But of course, he had to open his mouth and ruin it, reminding me that I was just being stupid.

Why had I kissed him back?

Even worse, Isabella hadn't shut up about it since we

got in the car. She chattered away beside me, her excitement bouncing off the walls as we headed to her place. Meanwhile, Eliza followed ɩ and told her Grayson had given her the rest of the day off. It was a Saturday, after all-

she deserved at least that much.

I was trying to focus on Isabella's enthusiastic rambling, but then something caught my attention. “Wait! Damn it, I didn't even think about w Isabella shrugged, eyes still on the road. “I'm sure Grayson would—”

"No," I cut her off, shaking my head. “I'm not asking him to do anything. It's not a real marriage, anyway. There's not going to be a honeymo or anything. I'll just show up to work as planned. If anyone recognizes me and asks, I'll make something up about my 'passion for saving live "Which is true," she pointed out with a grin. "Your zeal actually does outweigh it."

I sighed, feeling the weight of the entire ridiculous situation pressing down on me. Isabella threw me a quick look. “So, you ready to talk abo "There was nothing explosive about it,” I replied, my tone sharper than I intended. "It was for show."

"Oh,-

please.” She rolled her eyes. "That man has probably trained himself to reject anything that feels remotely like

emotion, and even I, as the self-

appointed relationship expert, can tell you that the 'just for show' excuse was his little safety net. You don't kiss someone like that if you don

I avoided her gaze, choosing instead to stare out the window as the scenery passed by. "And when exactly did you become a relationship e She grinned, as if relishing the memory. "Deservingly

so. But that's not the point, Lilian. That man has feelings for you.”

The words hit harder than I wanted to admit. Grayson's confession in the hotel came rushing back, echoing in my mind, and how at the pool someone I hadn't even known a month ago.

I needed to change the subject. "When we get to your place, let's keep it quiet on the werewolf talk and no accidental slip up about this bein Isabella gave me a mock-

annoyed look. "Seriously, Lilian? That's part of the best friend pact! And yes, no werewolf talk. But we do need to figure out what's going on

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I smiled and leaned my head back, closing my eyes. For years, I'd told myself I didn't need a counterpart-

that not having that part of me was somehow

okay. But now, knowing that she might actually be there, hidden inside me..... I let myself imagine it, just for a moment.

When we finally arrived at Isabella's house, Eliza's eyes widened as she took it all in. "Wow, Isabella, this place is gorgeous.”

Isabella waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, please. Make yourself at home." She flashed me a quick grin. “We'll rest up a bit, then go over th I rolled my eyes, but a small smile played at the corners of my lips. We made our way inside, and the three of us settled down, Eliza fitting in Isabella plopped onto the couch, patting the space next to her. "Alright, what secrets are we sharing?"

Eliza leaned forward, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. “I'm really curious. How did you guys even meet? And is this like...... one of those w her eyes sparkled even more-“is it an arranged marriage? Because with someone like Grayson, it kind of seems like it could be!"

Il hesitated, glancing between them. Eliza didn't know the truth, so I pieced together something that sounded close enough. "Well... we first Eliza leaned forward, eyes wide. “And? Was there a spark?"

I laughed softly, glancing down. "If you can call it that. There was something, but Grayson... he's not the kind of guy who's open with people Lost in the fantasy, I hadn't noticed Isabella's soft cough, pulling me back to reality. I blinked, catching myself. "I mean... he's actually really Isabella's knowing smile deepened, while Eliza let out a dreamy sigh, her face a blend of excitement and disbelief. “I can't believe it," she w I shrugged with a half-

smile, hiding just how much the idea of my fabricated story tugged at my heart. “Well, that side of him isn't for everyone to see.”

“Lucky you then, huh?” Isabella teased with a smirk, elbowing me lightly and I almost shot her a glare.

I didn't know where all of that came from but now that I had started the line of thoughts, a hundred different scenerios of how we first met we

I caught Isabella's eyes and quickly looked away. It's not real, Ava It's not real.

We chatted a bit longer, with Isabella outlining the plan for tomorrow, throwing in light-

hearted jokes about hairstyles and "emergency backup" dresses. The day drifted by in comfortable laughter, with the three of us falling into enjoy their company, the warmth and normalcy of it all.

Without thinking of him.

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Eventually, Isabella yawned and clapped her hands. “Alright, ladies, beauty sleep is calling. We've got a big

day tomorrow, and trust me, no one wants to deal with a sleep-deprived bride.

I laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as the night wound down. "You're right. Let's call it."

We exchanged goodnights, and as I lay down, my thoughts betrayed me, drifting back to Grayson. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the im

Maybe it was foolish, maybe even impossible, but part of me wanted to believe in that version of him—

the man who everything felt oddly right with existed.

And as much as I knew

there was only heartbreak awaiting at the end of this, I painfully knew that I was already falling for

him.