The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 286 Chapter 286 -Grayson's POV- "Remember when you didn't like me?" I didn't answer.

I didn't even look at Rickon as he stood a few feet away, casually twirling his tie around his fingers like he had nothing better to do. I had made the mistake of acknowledging his presence earlier, and I wasn't about to do it again. Maybe if I ignored him long enough, he'd get the hint and leavealone.

Unfortunately, Rickon had never been the kind of person to take hints.

"Well," He continued, undeterred by my silence, "I wouldn't say you didn't like me. You were just really scary, and it was hard to tell with you. We thank the Moon Goddess for sending Ava your way." Still, I said nothing.

"Actually you should be thanking me, really, for throwing that ball." That finally madeturn, my patience wearing thin, "I should be thanking you for throwing a ball on a Tuesday and disrupting my entire week?" I muttered dryly, adjusting my tie in the mirror.

Rickon grinned like the proudest idiot in the world, "Yes. Because that was the first tI saw you smile, and it was because of her. Which meant that was the first tyou realized you really liked her." I scoffed, "Whatever." I turned back to the mirror, focusing on the crisp knot of my tie. I still couldn't believe I had agreed to this-to a double wedding of all things. And worse, I had agreed to get ready in the sroom as Rickon, who still hadn't learned that silence was an acceptable thing.

But Ava had been excited about it. And for her, I would do anything.

As if she knew I was thinking about her, her voice brushed against my mind, soft and familiar.

'Hey.' The moment I heard her, the tension in my shoulders eased. The warmth of her voice seeped into me, and before I could stop myself, I was already smiling.

Rickon, being the absolute menace that he was, made a tic, "Uhhhhhhh" sound from behind me. I ignored him.

'Hey.' I answered, reaching for the cufflinks on the dresser.

There was a brief pause before she spoke again, 'Are you almost done? They're starting soon.

'Yeah,' I sighed, running a hand through my hair before adding, 'Why did I have to get ready in the splace as Rickon?' Her laughter echoed in my head, bright and teasing, 'Because you two have been through a lot together, and you promised to practice being nicer to people that aren't me.' 'Well, he won't shut up.' She laughed again, 'Grayson, be nice' I exhaled sharply, 'Fine. I'll be nice.

'I'll see you soon. I can't wait to remarry you, Grayson Blackwood! And just like that, she severed the link.

I was still smiling when I turned back to the mirror.

Rickon, ever the nuisance, let out an exaggerated groan. "Uhhhh, someone is getting lucky today" That was it. I was done.

I shot him a glare, grabbed my phone, and walked out of the room without another word.

Rickon's laughter followedas I made my way to the balcony. The moment I stepped outside, the cool morning air hit me, filling my lungs and pushing out the tension that had been building.

I leaned against the railing, watching as guests poured into the estate. Cars rolled up one after another, people dressed in elegant attire stepping out onto the grounds.

A few years ago, I would have never allowed this many people into my estate. The first wedding we staged as large as it was had been what I had considered small. But now? Now, it was different.

Now, it was real and the number of people had quadrupled.

"Getting cold feet?" I didn't need to turn to know it was María.

She moved to stand beside me, a wine glass dangling from her fingers. From the corner of my eye, I saw her raise it to her lips, sipping slowly. I debated telling her it was too early to be drinking but decided against it.

Instead, I watched the crowd below, feeling the weight of everything settle over me.

"Do you feel at peace, Grayson?" The question caughtoff guard.

I didn't answer right away. I let the silence stretch between us as I kept my eyes on the people moving across the estate. And then, finally, I said, "Yes." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her lips curve into a small smile. "It's good to know I was right," She murmured, "and that she was the one to help you move on." I didn't respond.

Maria finished the rest of her drink in one slow sip, her gaze thoughtful. Then, softly, she said, "I wish I had been strong enough to undo the spell that sealed the house." I turned to look at her. "I never should have asked you to do it in the first place," I admitted. "And I never should have started that fire to kill him. No matter how cruel he was." A sad smile touched her lips, "I like to think everything that happened, happened for a reason. Maybe you needed to experience it all to get to where you are now. To find your own path." I didn't know what to say to that.

For a long moment, we stood in silence. Then she shook her empty glass lightly, as if debating whether to get a refill.

"I need a little more of this in me," She said with a wry smile, already turning to leave.

6 Just as she reached the doorway, 1 called her name.

"Maria" She stopped and looked back at me.

"I don't think we could have made it this far without you, I admitted. "Thank you. And for what you did with the humans-it must have taken a lot of power to do it? For a moment, she just looked at me.

Then, a small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're welcome, Grayson Maria turned to walk away again, the empty glass still hanging loosely in her fingers, but before she could step through the door, I spoke.

"When Ava gives birth..." I hesitated for only a second before continuing, "And with Crystal's daughter, it might be a lot of work for us." She stopped, turning slightly, her brows arching in curiosity.

"Ava thought it would be a good idea to ask for help sometimes," I went on, watching her expression closely, "Would you mind if I brought them over?" For a brief moment, she didn't answer. But then something flickered across her face-something like surprise- before her lips curled into a soft, genuine smile. "I would really love that, Grayson," She murmured.

Before I could say anything else, a deep, resonating sound echoed through the estate. It was time.

I exhaled slowly, glancing up toward the sky. I had never been a man who got nervous, but there was something about this moment-this day-that felt different.

The weight of it pressed down on me, but it wasn't suffocating. It was grounding.

Real.

Maria must have noticed something shift in my expression because her smile didn't waver as she asked, "You ready?" I didn't hesitate this time.

I nodded.

Without another word, she reached out and linked her hand with mine, a silent show of support, before she started leadingforward.

As we moved down the hall, she glanced up atwith a glimmer of mischief in her eyes, "What's your take on having them float around in their cots?" I shot her a look, frowning, "Don't makereconsider this." Her laughter echoed down the hallway, light and amused, but I ignored it. I had enough to think about without the mental image of my children levitating as they slept.

The hallway felt longer than usual, the marble floors beneath us m stretching out endlessly. Every step forward made my chest feel tighter, but I pushed through it, focusing on the grand double doors ahead. As we reached the entrance to the hall, the noise-the low hum of conversation, the occasional burst of laughter, the soft rustling of dresses and suits shifting-it all faded into silence.

And all at once, every pair of eyes turned toward me.

I didn't falter.

I stepped forward, past the threshold, my gaze scanning the room. The entire grand hall was filled, the walls lined with familiar faces, sexpected, sless expected.

I could feel them watching me-waiting.

The chandeliers overhead bathed everything in a golden glow, catching on the crystal goblets and polished silverware, illuminating the extravagant floral arrangements that decorated the space. The expensive flowers Isabella said 'Ava really wanted.' Rickon was there already at the end of the hall and his irritating grin had softened into something more genuine.

Maria gave my hand one last squeeze before slipping away to join Elaine in the place put aside for my family. caught Elaine's smile before I looked back.and took my first step and all I could think of was in just a short while, I would be marrying her again. And this time, it wasn't out of necessity.

It wasn't a bargain.

It wasn't an act.

This time, it was real.

This time, it was forever.

And I couldn't wait.

mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1