The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson)
My Billionaire King 90

Chapter 90

-Grayson's POV

The door to my car slammed shut as Ava slid in, slumping again the seat. I let a few seconds pass before asking her, “Is she okay?

Not that I really cared.

My wolf growled low, an almost primal warning, and I shot himone back just as sharp. Yes, I could admit-

at least to myself -

that something had shifted in me last night. Something I hadn't thought possible. But that didn't mean I was going to start acting like I was s a stranger.

And, frankly, her emergency had ruined my morning plans for Ava.

I knew exactly what I was. An asshole. That was a fact I never denied or tried to sugarcoat.

Ava let out a sigh, her shoulders relaxing as she stared out the windshield. Her

sigh pulled me out of my internal monologue, and, as my gaze lingered on her, memories of last night came crashing down like a tidal wave

I had neverthought much about sex before-

hever really cared about it. The only reason I had even sought a solution to my "problem" was because I couldn't stand the idea of being bad at something. Of being incapable. It wasn't about need or desire-it was about pride.

But last night

I hadn't known what to expect. Perfection wasn't the right

word to describe it. Explosive. Consuming. More than I'd thought it could be. If I'd ever envisioned what sex might feel like, it would have fal

I'd wanted to give her the perfect day. That had been the plan. And then it had been ruined.

My irritation toward the other woman was well-deserved.

“She's fine,” Ava said finally, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Suble now, at least, but her daughter-Mikayla-

she's pretty

mad at me.” She exhaled heavily, running a hand through her hair. “I'm just glad Tessa's okay. I don't know how I'd live with myself if someth

She trailed off, her words hanging heavy in the air.

I opened my mouth to say something-

probably something stupid, like reminding her it had been on a Sunday-

but I bit it back. It wasn't the time for my particular brand of insensitivity. If things between Ava and me were going to progress, I'd need to

"I can't leave yet," Ava added softly. “I have to-❞

And there went my entire day.

"I'll stay with you," I heard myself say before my brain could catch up.

Ava turned her head toward me, surprise flickering in her tired eyes. “Are you sure?"

I wanted to snatch the words back. Hospitals weren't my thing-cold, sterile,

suffocating. It was almost ironic that the woman I... loved for was a doctor.

froze mid-thought. The woman ! what?

No. That couldn't be right. Love wasn't something I understood, let alone felt. Where had that even come from?

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Chapter 90

"Grayson!” Ava's voice pulled me back to reality.

I cleared my throat, shifting uncomfortably in the driver's seat. “Sorry, I was... thinking about something"

She gave me a look, the kind that made me wonder if she

could read my thoughts. “Okay...” she said slowly, clearly unconvinced. “I was just saying I don't know how long this is going to take, and l’ “Then I'll wait inside the hospital,” I replied before I could stop myself.

Seriously?

My wolf let out an amused rumble, clearly enjoying my predicament, but I ignored him.

Ava's lips curved into a small, shy smile. “Really? You'd do that for me?”

No. I hate hospitals.

"Yes," I said instead.

At this rate, I might need to detach my own lips because they were starting to operate without consulting my brain.

We got out of the car, and I followed her back into the hospital. The moment we stepped inside, I felt the stares. Heads turned, some out of

As we walked through the halls, Ava slowed, turning toward me. Before I could react, she leaned in and kissed me— soft and

eeting. My lips barely registered the warmth of hers before she pulled away and hurried off.

I stood there for a moment, stunned.

Seriously?" I muttered to myself.

I shook my head and made my way to the waiting area, sinking into one of the uncomfortable chairs. My wolf growled sofily, but I ignored hi Finally, I decided I couldn't sit still any longer. I got up and started wandering aimlessly, letting my legs take me wherever

That's when I saw her.

A girl, maybe in her late teens or early twenties, stood in front of a vending machine, kicking it repeatedly. Her face was a mix of frustration a I was about to walk past her-because, honestly, not my problem–

but something made me pause. Maybe it was the sheer force of her anger or the way her shoulders slumped like the weight of the world wa I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Why am I doing this?

"Hey,” I said, my voice cutting through the sound of her foot connecting with the vending machine.

She turned, startled, and for a moment, her glare made me think she was about to tell me to mind my business. But then her eyes widened "Can I help you?" asked dryly, raising a brow.

“The stupid machine ate my money she muttered, crossing her arms defensively.

I glanced at the machine, then back at her. “Kicking it isn't going to fix that.”

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Chapter 90

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She glared at me,

her chin jutting out stubbornly. "What else am supposed to do? It's not like there's anyone around to help❞ With a sigh, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a dollar bill, slipping them into the machine. I punched the buttons, and, unsurprisingly, it worked on the first try. A bag of chips dropped into the tray.

“Here,” I said, holding it out to her.

Her cheeks flushed as she took the chips, mumbling a quiet, “Thanks”

I started to walk away, but her voice stopped me.

"Wait," she said, hesitating. "You're... Grayson Blackwood, Dr Pierce's husband

right?"

Before I answered, the first thought that came to my mind was how irritating it was to hear her being referred to as a Pie by someone else.

I let out a sigh internally. At this point, I'd soon force her to embed my name into her skin. I realized the girl was waiting for an answer and n "Cool" she extended her hand. "I'm Mikayla"

The name clicked, and my eyes narrowed. So it was her mother that ruined my plans. She took a step backward, and it took me a moment Her hand dropped because I had no plans of taking it.

“Are you aware that you upset my.....” I stopped, catching myself. Wife?”

She blinked, "What?"

“You're upset because she wasn't here on a Sunday, and now you

It all happened so fast. One moment she was standing there, and the next, tears welled up in her eyes. Then she started.

crying.

1 froze.

Crying women weren't

exactly in my wheelhouse. Crying anyone, for that matter. What the hell was I supposed to do? "Hey," I said awkwardly, my voice lower than look, you need to stop crying. You're drawing attention."

Of course, my tone was probably more gruff than it should have been, and Mikayla's tears didn't stop. In fact, she just cried harder.

"I'm not trying to-" she sniffled so loudly it sounded like she was trying to inhale her own lungs-'draw attention! I don't care if people stare. N

her voice broke mid-sentence as she pointed a trembling finger at me. -are making it worse!"

I blinked, stunned. How was this my fault?

“What did I do?" 4 psked, exasperated, running a hand through my hair.

"You-

you came in here all intimidating and tall and and mean and now I feel even worse!" She hiccupped mid-

cry and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her oversized sweater. "And my mom-

she's not going to make it, and if she doesn't-

her voice cracked again, and she dissolved into fresh sobs, her words muilled and garbled.

I stared at her, thoroughly out of my depth. What was I supposed to say? What was 1 supposed to do? This wasn't a business

Chapter 90

deal. I couldn't throw

"Your mom money at her and call it a day.

fine,” I tried, remembering Ava's words earlier. “She's stable now, isn't she? Focus on that-”

"But that's just now!" Mikayla interrupted, her voice rising in pitch. 'She's only stable for now. What if something happens. later? What if she.

That hit a nerve I didn't expect. My wolf went deathly silent, and I felt an uncomfortable twinge in my chest. I wasn't

about to admit it, but I did know that feeling. I knew it all too well.

Her words were like tiny daggers, poking at emotions I hadn't planned on dealing with today—

or ever. The air between us grew heavy, charged with something unspoken, and I opened my mouth to say something, anything, when Ava'

"Grayson?"

I turned sharply to see Ava standing a few feet away, her gaze flickering between Mikayla and me. Her expression was a mix of curiosity an

your mum."

The rest of the words echoed in the air even though she didn't say it:

There is nothing we can do and she is not going to make it.

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