The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson)
My Billionaire King 44

Chapter 44

-Ava's POV-

Nothing has ever stunned me to silence like Grayson's words just did. The sheer intensity left me frozen, my mind struggling to process wha

“LI.I'm...........”.

The words fumbled out in a stutter, barely audible. Grayson's gaze hardened, and his entire presence shifted, the warm gone in an instant. staring at the empty space he'd filled just moments before

I flopped back onto the bed, a frustrated groan escaping me. His words echoed, flooding my mind: “I am prepare world burn to the ground b

A part

of me knew I should stay back and let him go, but I felt the pull-

the need to face him, to understand what he m Within seconds, I was pushing myself off the bed, my feet carrying me through the hallways

I had no idea where he'd gone, yet something drew me toward the pool, closed for the night. Just as I was about to cross boundary. I heard "There's a clear sign that says the pool is closed, Ava

I closed my eyes, letting out a sigh. I could sense his presence behind me even without turning around. “You're out here didn't see a sign th I didn't need to look to know he'd allowed himself a rare, brief smile. I took a deep breath, finally gathering the courage t face him. His cold g expression hardened again.

He pushed himself off the wall, his tone distant. "Go back inside. It's cold. You're already shaking."

Wrapping my arms around myself, I felt the night's chill more acutely, but I stayed where I was. “We need to talk about wh you said. About w Without a word, he brushed past me, heading toward the edge of the pool. The silence that followed was weighted, a tense expectation tha cold water wash over my feet. Somehow, it mirrored the mix of warmth and cold that Grayson seemed to leave in his wake.

Finally, he spoke, almost to himself. "I keep wondering why you let people push you around for so long when there's so much fire in you." The question took me by surprise, and I glanced at him, his profile shadowed in the moonlight. It was as if he wasn't even speaking to me,

“Because it was all I'd ever known,” I murmured. "Since I was young, I followed my parents rules,

did what was expected of me. It kept me safe, or so I thought. I hated it at times, but the idea of stepping off that path scared ine as much a

He was silent for a long moment, staring into the dark pool. I decided to break the silence this time. “What about

your parents? Do you still talk to them?"

The question landed like a stone between us, and I felt him tense beside me. His answer was cold, almost bitter. “No.”

I glanced at him, feeling a strange ache in my chest. Whatever had happened with his family was buried deep, and I knew it

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Chapter 44

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had been part of what shaped the cold, unreachable person he had become. He continued to stare straight ahead, a silent fortress of hurt a A sigh escaped me, and

I mentally reminded myself to stop. Whatever he'd said, whatever rare emotion had broken through, it didn't mean anything Getting involve delude myse into thinking I'd be the one to break down his walls. It wasn't my place; I didn't have the time.

I forced myself to focus, clearing my throat. "We still haven't discussed the schedule for your sessions. That's why we're doing this, rememb I watched his face closely, searching for any reaction, but all I got was a stony silence as he looked straight ahead, his gaze as still and co Then he spoke, his voice even, steady, almost like he'd rehearsed it. "We'll do the sessions twice a week. Afternoons. I'll let my assistant kn There was nothing in his tone to indicate that the same man who had, minutes ago, declared he'd burn the world for me wa sitting beside m "That's all you have to say?"

His eyes flickered to me, brief and sharp. "Yes, that's all I have to say."

A mix of frustration and confusion churned inside me. “You say one thing, and then act like it meant nothing. Do you get some kind of thrill people like this?"

He let out a low, humorless chuckle. “Confusion? Ava, you were the one who came out here. I didn't ask for company"

And that was all it took for me to snap. His sudden coldness was so infuriating.

"You said you'd let the world burn before you'd let anything happen to me, and now you're acting like I'm just another employee on your pay

He paused, as if considering my words, his expression unreadable. Finally, he let out a breath, his

voice softer but still guarded. “That's what I do, Ava. I protect what's mine and as long as like the world believes you are my Luna, you quali Memories of Luca's blood and the words, no declaration of him calling me his came back with full force, “So that's all this is. Your protection A flash of irritation crossed his face, and he looked away, jaw clenching. I had the sense that he was struggling to keep a grip on himself, lik "Ava, don't push this."

"Why not?" I shot back, frustration creeping into my voice. "Why won't you just let yourself be... honest? If you're saying these things, then “Because it's safer,” he said, almost too quickly, and then seemed to realize he'd let too much slip. His gaze “People who get too close alwa

darkened

The rawness in his voice surprised me, cutting through the cold façade he worked so hard to maintain. I didn't know what to say, so I just sa "What if I don't care about that?" I asked softly, not even

sure if he heard me.

He looked away, his shoulders tensing. "Then you're a fool"

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Chapter 44

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For a second, we were both silent, the weight of his words hanging between us. I should've let it go, should've left the poolside and gone ba

like this.

“Maybe I am a fool,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I'd rather be a fool who's honest than someone who's too afraid to ev No words followed, and with that, I pushed myself to my feet, shaking my head. There was really no point to this. I'd focus on the sessions, count down the days until the contract ended, and then disappear from this twisted drama once and for all.

I was halfway to the door when I heard him say my name. I stopped, resisting the urge to turn back. No. Not again. I steeled myself to keep "Ava, get down."

It took a moment to register, the urgency in his tone not quite sinking in-

until the world seemed to slow, Grayson lunged, his hand outstretched to reach me, but he was just a second too late. Pain

burst across my shoulder, white-

hot and ring. the impact sending me staggering. Warm droplets splattered against my face, the metallic taste of fear coating my mouth. I di

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