The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson)
My Billionaire King 74

-Grayson's POV-

There was a time, so long ago, when I had clung to the idea of miracles, even dared to believe in happy endings. But that hope had long fac darker, heavier. My wolf stirred inside me, an unfamiliar warmth laced with a quiet urgency, urging me to reach out, to make contact. It was a

I extended a hand, and just as my fingers brushed her skin, Ava gasped, a sharp intake of breath breaking the silence. In an instant, she sh eyed and trembling. "Get away from me!" she shrieked, her voice raw with terror.

I let out a breath of relive. It wasn't exactly thesame.

She was alive.

I immediately tried to reach for her again, to calm her, but she recoiled, scrambling back as if my touch would burn her. Panic flared in her e “Ava,” I said, my voice steady but low, as if I could will her to listen. “Ava, it's me. You're safe.”

But my words didn't reach her. She kept backing away, the fear in her eyes cutting through me. Reluctantly, I released a sigh and called on

At once,

her body stilled, a puppet momentarily released from its strings. I pulled back my aura, trying to soften my

gaze as Hooked at her, hoping the familiarity would ground her. “It's me I said gently. “You're fine, Ava. Can you hear me?”

She blinked, a shiver of clarity returning to her gaze as she looked up, still uncertain, but slowly recognizing me. "Grayson"" The tension eas fragile, trembling-

settled over me, and for a long moment, I didn't move. My hand hesitated before finally settling

on her back, providing a silent reassurance I hadn't knowny I was capable of giving. I sighed, more out of habit than relief, and slid one arm As I turned, Maria stepped into view, her mouth opening with some apology or another, but I didn't let her speak. "I don't want to hear it," I s 1 carried Ava outside and settled her gently in the passenger seat of the car. She sank into the seat, eyes unfocused, almost like she was d After a few minutes, the quiet grew too thick, too suffocating. I couldn't help myself. “Ava,” I asked, my tone as neutral as I could manage, But there was no reply. She didn't move, didn't even

flinch at the sound of my voice. I glanced over and realized she'd fallen asleep, her head leaning slightly to the side, the faint lines of tension I focused back on the road, but Maria's words kept replaying in my head. I forced them away, telling myself she didn't know what she was ta Finally, we reached the mansion, and I parked in silence. I glanced over at her again, still sleeping, and without much. thought, I slid out of t

ne was ever

I meant to take her to the room I'd assigned her, but my feet carried me somewhere else. My room A place no one

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Chapter 71

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allowed, not even Liam Gargfully, I laid her down on my bed. She looked so vulnerable in that moment, a strange contrast to the strength sh

I had to remember that.

With a heavy sigh, I turned away and headed to my study, determined to push everything else out of my mind

and focus on the only thing I could control; replaceing out who was behind the recent Alpha attacks.

As I stepped into the study, I stopped in my tracks. Rickon was sitting at my desk, grinning, clearly pleased with himself. He looked up, notic My eyes narrowed. "What do you think you're doing here? Who even let you in?"

Liam had been wrong-

dismissing the staff hadn't been impractical after all. It seemed they were more incompetent than I'd thought if they couldn't even keep Rick Rickon shrugged casually. "I see you're not exactly thrilled to see me,” he began, but I cut him off.

"Don't make me ask again

He sighed, putting on a mock look of innocence. "Alright, fine. I told your guards we had an appointment and that you'd asked me to wait fo "And they were stupid enough to believe you?"

No, your guards are practically statues-

they don't budge for anything. But I played a recording I pieced together

from things you've said over the years. You'd be amazed at what technology can do these days,” he grinned. “Since we're partners now, I could show you, if you'd like."

I felt my initial irritation give way to a deep, tired exhaustion. “What do you want, Rickon?"

His grin faded, replaced by a more serious look. "I came to show you what

I've found on the recent Alpha deaths."

My interest piqued slightly, though I kept my expression cold. "You're actually taking this seriously?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded. "I told you I would. Now, do you want to see what I've found, or not?"

the chair. “Would you leave if I said no?"

I walked over to the table and sank into the chair.

"Not a chance."

"Then why bother asking?"

Rickon chuckled, then took a seat across from me. “Alright, here's what I've got: three Alphas dead, all seemingly unrelated No alliances, n He spread out a few documents,

listing names and connections. made a list of everyone with a possible motive to kill them, but there's no link between them. Whoever's doin too well"

I studied the papers he laid before me, the weight of each death banging heavily in the room. Three Alphas, connected only by the power th pattern.

If it's about power, revenge, whatever it is, they're connected. No one targets Alphas at random. We just need to lock beneath the surface a

Rickon's mouth curved up in a small, amused smile, “I knew you say that

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Chapter 74

I narrowed my eyes, Irritation simmering. “What's with that smile?"

"Oh, nothing,” he replied, lifting his hand to dab at imaginary tears, "I just.. never thought I'd see the day when you

would use we in thesame sentence involving us."

1 glared, already regretting involving him. “Do you ever stop?"

“Nope.” He grinned wider, unbothered, like he lived for these little irritations.

I sighed, pushing my frustration aside, and reached for my phone, dialing Carter. He had a knack for looking

beyond the obvious, for digging up connections no one else could see. But the phone rang once, then twice, then a third time without an an Carter never missed my calls, especially not like this.

I was about to try another route to reach him when the phone finally buzzed back, his name flashing on the screen. I answered, his voice c “Really thought you'd be out celebrating instead of blowing up my phone at this hour,” he drawled.

"Three Alphas are dead,” I said, my voice sharp. “Hearts ripped out. I've got a list of possible enemies, but I need you to go deeper. Look be The line went silent for a moment. I could almost hear the weight of what he wasn't saying, a subtle shift in the air between us. Finally, he spoke, his voice dropping to a grave tone.

“So, you really don't know?” he murmured. “That's why you aren't celebrating. Even with that cold heart of yours, this this would have been Something twisted in my gut. “What are you talking about?"

“Make that list four, Grayson.” His voice was low, edged with something dark. “Ricardo is dead. Found him with his heart ripped out, just like