The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 48

-Ava’s POV-

The silence in the bathroom was so thick it felt suffocating as Isabella and | locked eyes. It wasn’t until a sharp

knock sounded on the door that we both snapped out of our daze, the reality of our situation crashing back down

on us.

Isabella hurriedly tossed the wrap into the garbage, a look of sheer shock on her face, while | fumbled with my

top, still trying to regain my composure as she turned the lock. The door creaked open, and Crystal stepped in,

her gaze darting between us, a smirk already forming on her lips.

| realized that ever since | had discovered that she was indeed sleeping with Dylan and that moment that had

thrustinto Grayson’s world, | had never actually spoken to her.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she chirped, her tone dripping with false sweetness, “but | really need to pee. Pregnancy

really messes with your bladder.”

| rolled my eyes, the annoyance of the situation souring my mood. Maybe if | had actually liked Dylan, it would

sting a little more, but | couldn't stand him. The only thing that annoyedwas the fact that fate had decided |

was predestined for

him.

“Go ahead, then,” | said, stepping aside.

Her pretentious smile faltered momentarily, and | could see the wheels turning in her mind. She wanted to

provoke me, to draginto a war of words, but | wasn’t interested. She could have Dylan for all | cared; she'd

givena way out of that horrible marriage. But as her gaze narrowed, she couldn't resist one last jab. “You

think taking the high road makes you a better person, but it just shows you're a bore. That's why Dylan couldn't

stand you.”

| bit my tongue, refusing to let her words get under my skin. Arguing with Crystal was the last thing | wanted,

especially not now. “I wish you all the best in life with him,” | replied coolly, “since he can stand you. Excuse us.”

| turned to leave, casting a glance at Isabella, who looked ready to explode. | could practically see the thoughts

racing through her head, a million ways to murder Crystal flashing before her eyes. The only reason she was

quiet was that she was holding back her wolf.

“Bels, it’s not worth it. Let's go,” | urged.

She blinked, seeming to cback to reality, but just as she was about to move, Crystal's voice cut through the

tension. “Yes, handbag, follow your master's command.”

| groaned, knowing exactly where this was heading. Before | could even react, Isabella’s claws extended, and

with a fierce swipe, she slashed at Crystal's face. Crystal's eyes darkened, her wolf surfacing in response, and |

felt the tension escalate. This was a disaster waiting to happen, and | hated that we were all werewolves at this

moment.

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“Isabella, no!” | shouted, stepping in between them, trying to stop the chaos. In my haste, | inadvertently shoved

Crystal backward, and she stumbled, falling to the ground then smiled.

Clutching her stomach and her bleeding face, she let out a piercing scream. “Help! Help! They're trying to kill my

baby!”

“You've got to be kidding me,” | muttered,

Credulous.

“Shut the hell up! No one touched your stomach!” Isabella growled, her voice a low rumble of fury.

“Let's get out of here!” | grabbed Isabella’s hand, pulling her toward the exit. “This was what she wanted to

happen when she cin here.”

As we rushed out of the bathroom, I could hear Crystal's cries echoing behind us, a mix of panic and triumph.

The last thing | needed was to be embroiled in her games. My heart raced, adrenaline coursing through my veins

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Chapter 48

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Isabella glanced back over her shoulder. “That bitch is lucky she’s pregnant,” she hissed, her eyes narrowing.

Then she turned to me, a fierce determination in her gaze. “I know you're trying to step out of your prim and

proper shell, and I'm really proud of you for that. But that situation back there? You should've slapped the slut

right off her face. She slept with Dylan while you were married!”

FD

“I know, Bels, | know,” | replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “But you can keep yelling atlater. Right now,

we have to get out of here. More importantly, we need to figure out why | have a wolf when | shouldn't and why

healing felt so painfully unnatural.”

She nodded, the tension easing slightly from her features. “Okay, okay. We are going to my place. The last thing |

want is to run into someone else who's going to push my buttons.”

We hurried out the other way of the restaurant, the muffled sounds of Crystal's voice continuing and | knew

Isabella was right, when it cto her, no more high road.

Different thoughts raced through my mind as the car sped, each one more confusing than the last. It shouldn't

be possible, yet somehow, | knew with certainty that it was my wolf. Most latent wolves had a presence, even if

they couldn't fully shift. They could bring out their claws, maybe even feel their wolf stirring inside them, waiting.

But I'd never felt any of that. A wolf had never existed inside me.

until now.

| tried to reach for her, to feel that presence again, but the semptiness remained. My eyes drifted down to

my shoulder, where the skin had been torn just minutes before, now completely healed. Isabella reached over

from the driver's seat, her gaze fixed on the road, and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“We'll figure this out, Lilian. | promise.”

| squeezed back, holding onto that small comfort, and forced myself to shut out the spiraling thoughts until we

reached her place. As we walked inside, Isabella wasted no tand disappeared into her room, returning

seconds later with an armful of books and her laptop.

“These are all the books | have about werewolves,” she said, dropping them in front of me. “And not the fictional

kind.”

| raised an eyebrow, knowing she didn’t like explaining her obsession. She crossed her arms defensively. “What?

| like to understand my wolf better. | don’t want to talk about it.”

Despite the tension, | laughed as | picked up the first book. Hours passed in a blur of research, flipping through

endless pages and scanning the internet. But it all pointed to the sthing-the general knowledge on latency

and how wolves didn’t just suddenly appear out of nowhere, especially not after twenty-four years.

“This isn’t helping at all.” Isabella suddenly shut her laptop and turned towith a determined look. “I have an

idea-what if | cut you? See if you heal and maybe...she shows up?”

I rolled my eyes, leaning back. “How about you keep your violent tendencies to yourself before | reconsider your

place as my best friend?”

She pouted tically, makingsmile as | ran a hand through my hair. “I felt her, Bels. She was right there

in my head, and she said, Find me, Ava. I've never experienced anything like it before.”

| sighed, almost regretting the words as soon as they left my mouth. “Maybe I should talk to my mother. She was

always so determined to bring out my wolf. Maybe she’ll know something”

“No. You're not getting sucked back into her orbit,” Isabella said firmly, shaking her head. “We'll figure this out

ourselves. Maybe not today, but we will.”

Her phone suddenly chimed, snapping her out of her intense expression. She glanced down, a smile tugging at

her lips as she quickly typed a reply. I leaned in, trying to catch a glimpse of who she was texting, but she

shoved my head back playfully.

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Chapter 48

“Keep your nose out of it.”

“Con, tell me!” | teased.

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She rolled her eyes, trying to keep her face neutral. “It's Grayson’s assistant slash my potential replacement if

you ever abandonto move to Italy, a.k.a. Eliza.”

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“Eliza?” The nsparked the memory. Grayson had mentioned her invitingto her birthday party. But since

when did she bechis assistant? And “replacement” best friend? That stung, and | shot her a mock glare.

“How did she get upgraded to ‘replacement’ so quickly, and why are you even texting her?”

“he texted to informto take over wedding plans until you got back from ITALY. We've been texting ever since.

She’s actually pretty cool and funny. Oh, and she askedto remind you about her birthday party next

Saturday-she wasn’t sure Grayson would pass along the invite.”

| rolled my eyes. “Well, since you have a ‘replacement best friend,’ I'll just have to get one for myself. | pick...

Elaine.”

Isabella burst out laughing, and I couldn't help but join in. She'd been my safe place for years, always there

when things with my parents bectoo much. No matter how awful things got, she always found a way to

makelaugh and forget. | genuinely loved this chaotic woman.

She caught my gaze, smiling. “Why are you looking atweird all of a sudden?”

“Just memorizing your face so the tech guys can program the robot that will replace you.”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “You and me-end of the world, remember? But Eliza's cool.”

“I know. | met her once, and | really liked her.”

“So, we're going to the party?”

“You're just looking for an excuse to get drunk.” | laughed, stifling a yawn. “Mind if | rest here for a bit? | haven't

really slept since | got back.”

“Of course, honey.” She leaned in, givinga quick kiss on the cheek. | headed to her room, grabbing my

phone, and changed into something comfortable. But just as | pulled off my top, | felt a strange tingling

sensation in my hand. A small, crumpled piece of paper appeared in my palm, seemingly out of thin air.

| yelped, tossing it away like it was on fire, just as Isabella rushed into the room.

“What is it now?” she asked, eyeing the paper on the floor.

“That...thing just appeared in my hand out of nowhere!”

Without a second thought, Isabella bent down, picked up the paper, and unwrapped it. Her eyes scanned its

contents before she sighed and handed it to me. “Witches sometimes use this method to send messages. It's

from your ‘husband-to-be.”

| took the paper, scanning the words and groaned.

Just. Freaking. Great.