The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 144

Chapter 144

-Ava’s POV-

The words sent a chill through me, but | refused to let it show. lan’s grip on my hand was firm, his fingers like

iron shackles, his movements deliberate and commanding as he ledinto the opening steps of the dance. His

touch felt like fire and ice-a blistering mix of control and fury-and | hated the way he heldso effortlessly, as

though he still had a right to.

The music swirled around us, a slow yet haunting melody that echoed the tension in the room. Every step we

took seemed deliberate, a calculated move in this twisted ghe was playing My heart pounded in my chest,

not from the routine but from the growing rage that simmered beneath my skin.

“I have nothing to say to you,” | hissed under my breath, trying yank my hand free from his unrelenting grasp.

His grip only tightened, his claws teasing the edge of my skin as daringto struggle further. His lips curved

into a mocking smirk as his voice dropped low, just loud enough forto hear.

“Then listen,” he whispered, his words cutting like a blade. “That's something you've always been good at, isn’t

it? Obedience. You're nothing more than a pathetic little puppy on a leash, pretending you've broken free.”

My jaw clenched as his words sunk in, each one carefully crafted to strike where it hurt the most. | wanted to

lash out, to

my tone. scream at him, but | couldn't give him the satisfaction. Instead, | glared at him, forcing venom into

“Letgo, Dylan,” | snapped. The routine forcedcloser to him, his smirk widening as he leaned in, our

movements flowing seamlessly despite the tension.

“Not yet,” he murmured, his voice dangerously calm. He spunoutward, the motion smooth and practiced,

before pullingback into his chest. His lips brushed close to my ear, his next words sending a chill down my

spine.

“You're going to be useful for once,” he said, his tone sharp and biting. “You're going to getan in with

Grayson Blackwood.”

The audacity of his demand stunnedinto silence for a moment, but then a laugh escaped my lips. It wasn't

one of humor but of disbelief and rage.

“Grayson doesn’t associate with lowlifes,” I said coldly, my voice steady despite the anger boiling beneath the

surface.

His smirk faltered briefly, replaced by something darker. Without warning, | felt his claws extend, sharp and

unforgiving, pressing into my side. The sting was immediate, and a gasp escaped my lips before | could stop it.

The music swelled, covering the sound of my pain, and as quickly as they had come, his claws retracted. | glared

up at him, fury burning in my chest, but he didn’t seem the least bit apologetic.

“I've played nice long enough,” he growled, his voice dripping with menace. “Don’t forget, Ava-I still have every

ability to hurt you, just like before.”

Anger surged through me, and | refused to let him see the pain he had caused. Instead, | spun myself in time

with the routine, using the motion to slam my heel into his leg. Hard.

His eyes darkened, a flash of his wolf breaking through his carefully crafted facade. The sight should have

terrified me, but | held my ground, watching as the wolf inside him receded almost as quickly as it appeared.

Dylan's response wasn't what | expected. Instead of lashing out, he smiled, his gaze dropping pointedly to my

neck. His smirk widened, his voice softening into something that was almost intimate, though the malice in his

tone made it anything

but.

“I see he’s marked you,” he said, his eyes gleaming with something that sent a shiver down my spine. “But you

should

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Chapter 144

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remember something, Ava. No matter how much you try to escape it, you'll always be my fated mate. You'll

never fully belong to Grayson.”

His words struck a nerve, but | refused to let him see it. Instead, met his gaze head-on, my voice steady as |

replied. “I “couldn’t care less,” | spat. “Is there a reason you're suddenly interested in the fact that we're fated?

Last | checked, you were too busy sticking your dick in someone else while we were still married. Congratulations

on marking a slut, by the way.”

For a moment, the venom in my words seemed to hit its mark. is expression faltered, the smirk slipping into

something colder, more dangerous. Then, as if regaining control, he spun the again, his movements sharp and

abrupt.

This time, he releasedat the peak of the motion, sendingoff balance. My heart leapt into my throat as |

stumbled, but before | could fall, his hand shot out, catchingand yankingback toward him.

The force of the motion leftbreathless, my chest heaving as stared up at him in shock. His smirk returned,

sharper and more menacing than before.

“Next time, I'll let you fall,” he said, his tone mockingly sweet. “Think about how much your parents would hate

that. For you to embarrass them.

naa

The mention of my parents hit a nerve I'd been trying to bury all night. My hands curled into fists, but | kept my

voice steady. “I don’t care what they think anymore.”

He chuckled darkly, the sound reverberating through my chest. That's a lie. If you didn’t care, you wouldn't be

hosting this ridiculous ball, and we wouldn't be here.”

His words struck deeper than | wanted to admit, but | shoved the thought aside, focusing on the rage bubbling

beneath the surface. | tried to shove him away, but his grip was unyielding, his claws hovering just below the

surface of his skin.

“We're not done,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “The dance isn’t over.”

My wolf, silent until now, surged forward, her presence a comforting strength | hadn't realized | needed. | felt my

eyes darken, mirroring his, and the power of my wolf lent steel to my voice.

“You're five seconds away from having your eyes clawed out,” | warned, my voice sharp and unwavering.

For a moment, his expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as if considering the threat. Then, with infuriating calm,

he smiled, his lips curling into a mockery of amusement.

“I almost forgot about your little performance,” he said. “And | heard the moon goddess finally pitied you to give

a wolf as pathetic as you.”

His words were the final straw. My claws extracted, and | shoved him with everything I.had. The force of it caught

him off guard, sending him stumbling backward.

The routine broke. Gasps rippled through the ballroom as the music swelled, the haunting melody now a sharp

crescendo that mirrored the chaos in the room.

For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. All eyes were on us, the weight of their stares suffocating.

But | didn’t care. | was done-with the dance, with the ball, with Dylan.

Ignoring the whispers and the judgmental glares, | turned on my heel, ready to leave this suffocating nightmare

behind. But | didn’t get far.

“Ava.”

My father's commanding voice cut through the tension, freezingmid-step. His tone left no room for

argument, and | clenched my fists at my sides, swallowing the retort that threatened to spill from my lips.

Chapter 144

“Finish the dance.”

The weight of his authority was like a chain around my neck, draggingback into place. Before | could protest,

Dylan's hand shot out, grabbing mine once more. His grip was almost bruising as he yanked the back into the

routine.

“You're pathetic and worthless,” he growled under his breath, his voice vibrating with barely contained rage.

“And you'll never be his.”

Before | could respond, he moved in closer and his lips crashed on mine with a force that stole the air from my

lungs.

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