Chapter 29

-Grayson's POV-

Little Dove?

What kind of ridiculous nickname was that? And more importantly, why was she so familiar with the uncle of the man who'd abused her? Th I'd done my research on Dylan who had just walked in when I had deemed him worthy enough to align with and when I first met Ava, I neve

1. it.

Dylan's eyes locked onto Ava as soon as he walked in, hardening with every step he took toward her. But I had to give her credit— she didn't cower or flinch. No, she glared right back, full of fire, while the woman glued to his side-

the same one he'd cheated on Ava with-smirked like she'd won the damn lottery,

I wrapped my arm around Ava's waist, pulling her closer. “The entrance is

getting a little crowded with desperation. Let's go inside."

Damien chackled softly, then quickly covered it with a cough. My dislike for him ticked down a notch. Maybe he wasn't

as insufferable as the rest of them. As I guided Ava away, I didn't miss the way the mistress's smile faltered, her confidence crumbling.

Ava groaned beside me, clearly feeling the tension too. “Why is the universe doing this to me?” she muttered, shaking her head.

"Maybe it's because you agreed to let someone call you Little Dove."

She laughed. “You have a split personality, you know that? One minute you're scowling like you want to burn the whole room down backing over there." Her lips twisted as she glanced

toward Crystal. “Other than that, try not to look like you're planning everyone's demise.”

A smile tugged at my lips, despite myself. Before I could respond, a waiter approached with a tray of champagne flutes. Ava grabbed two gla "Don't judge me,” she said, looking up at me with a sheepish grin. "With the people in this room? There's no way I'm getting through the nigl

I couldn't help it-my smile widened. I wasn't used to smiling this much.

Or at all, really. Her expression shifted, like she was momentarily stunned, but I turned away before she could call me out on it.

"Come on," I cleared my throat. “Let's replace our seats."

I led her toward the table that had been set aside for me. Fairy lights hung delicately above, giving the place a soft, romantic glow. It was obvious Rickon had gone overboard with the decorations-

likely a subtle attempt to get under my skin. The overly sentimental display was ridiculous, but Ava giggled beside me.

"It's so pretty," she laughed, pulling me toward the seat next to her.

We sat, and as soon as we did, I felt the weight of the room's stares. It wasn't subtle. People's eyes tracked our every move, most of them z It was irritating.

Ava

noticed it too, her posture stiffening slightly as I spoke before their judgment settled on her, “The first time I attended a social event like this

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Chapter 29

now that I should have gone through with it so all this irritating taring could have been avoided."

870%

Ava's lips twitched, understanding the unspoken message. “What about the ones who didn't attend that event?" she asked, playing along. "Then this would have been the second round of eye removal."

Her grin spread, and she lifted the drink in front of her. “Thank you,” she whispered softly, a little more at ease.

I didn't know what possessed me to keep talking, but the words slipped out before I could stop them. "You shouldn't let their opinions get to

Her eyes widened, clearly surprised by my attempt at..... reassurance. Hell, even I was surprised. Either the temperature in hell was dropping

Before the moment could settle too much, the sound of glass clinking caught our attention. We turned, both of us focusing on Rickon, who stood in the center of the room. With a charming

grin plastered on his face, he launched into a speech, thanking everyone for coming. It was all typical nonsense until he mentioned me by n

“And a special thanks to the Alpha King for gracing us with his presence tonight," Rickon continued, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “And, o to the beautiful Ava Pierce.

I felt Ava tense beside me. The air around us thickened immediately, and I could hear her sharp intake of breath. Before either of us could re “Leave Pierce out of her name!” her mother snapped, loud enough for everyone to hear. "The Pierce family doesn't act without dignity, and A A heavy murmur rippled through the crowd, eyes flicking between Ava and me. Her face flushed crimson, and I could feel the rage building i

or someone-

apart. I clenched my fists under the table, forcing myself to stay seated. If I stood now, if I reacted the way I wanted to, her mother wouldn't I or her head-intact.

Ava's eyes darted to me, panic written all over her face. I could feel her pain, her embarrassment. She didn't deserve this. None of it. And I I leaned in, my voice low and calm despite the storm brewing inside me. "Ignore her. She's looking for a reaction."

Ava blinked, looking like she was on the verge of breaking, but she held herself together. Barely.

“And if I stand up right now?” I added, keeping my tone deadly quiet. “I'll make sure she never speaks to you that way again.” Her eyes wide something else flashing in them. But instead of speaking, she reached for another glass of champagne, downing it quickly. I could see her h

"I don't think that's a good idea,” she whispered, her voice shaking just a little. "She's not worth it."

My jaw tightened. Every instinct in me screamed to do something-anything-

to put that vile woman in her place. But Ava's words held me back, tethering me to my seat when every part of me wanted to rise and deal w Then came the unmistakable clink of glass again. A hush fell over the room, heads turning in the direction of the sound. Dylan stood up, his

Dylan ignored him, brushing off his uncle's warning like it was nothing more than a breeze. His gaze swept across

the room before landing squarely on Ava, his expression darkening.

“Well, since we're on the subject of congratulations,” he began, the tone in his voice turning bitter, almost mocking. “I'd like

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Chapter 29

to offer mine to my wife His words hung in the air for a moment before he added, with a humorless chuckle, "Oh I'm sorry my ex- wife. Sometimes the time difference gets a liule hurry.

Beside me, Ava went rigid. Her whole body tensed like she was made of stone, and for a split second, it felt like the world had stopped spir “Dylan, stop it,” Damien growled under his breath, his hand gripping Dylan's arm. But Dylan wasn't about

to back down. He had the room's attention now, and he was reveling in it.

བམ

He snorted, his next words sharper, cutting through the silence like a blade. "It's not much of a time difference, is it? Considering she's enga

between us.

I could feel my blood simmering under the surface, every muscle in my body coiled tight. This bastard was pushing, and I wasn't sure how Ava's breath caught, her face a shade paler, her eyes still locked on Dylan as if she were waiting for him to stop- hoping he would stop. But he didn't, instead he dropped a bomb.

"But you know," His smile grew crueler, "I'm not all that surprised considering the fact that she has been sleeping with the Alpha King while

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