The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 36

-Grayson'’s POV-

| felt the flames rise, licking closer and closer to my skin, the heat unbearable. My wolf surged forward in

response, roaring inside my head, and | let him take control, Chains snapped, wood cracked, and we crashed

through the cabin wall, bursting into the night just before the fire engulfed everything behind us.

The fresh air hitlike a punch, cool and sharp. | didn’t waste any time. My paws pounded against the ground

as | ran through the trees, my lungs burning with each breath.

Death had cforonce before.

| knew that feeling-the cold, endless void that seemed to stretch on forever, pullingdeeper, drowningin

nothingness. It was like falling, slipping further and further away from everything that madewho | was. But

then, just before the darkness could take me, | was pulled back.

Yanked violently back into life.

This tfelt no different. Except... | was down to my last chance

| was powerful but even | knew | wasn’t invincible which was why | had Maria use magic to givechances of

life through a ring. | wore it and never took it off. Whenever | shifted, it becimbedded into my skin and the

only down side to it was that it gaveonly three chances to cback to life and since | had used two, | was

down to my last chance,

The thought madegrind my teeth. | should have been more focused.

This attack should have never gone through.

| pushed harder, my body moving swiftly through the shadows as | made my way back to the estate. The city

loomed ahead, lights flickering through the trees. | didn’t stop. Couldn't. My paws hit the ground in rapid

succession, heart hammering in my chest, until | reached the back entrance I'd installed for moments like this-

when | needed to slip in unnoticed.

Once inside, | shifted back into my human form, the transformation smooth but leavingmomentarily drained.

My limbs felt heavy, and the remnants of the wolfsbane still lingered in my system, dulling my senses, however, |

couldn't afford

to rest

Not now,

The hot water from the shower did little to soothe my muscles, at least it washed away the soot, the blood, the

evidence of another close brush with death. | dressed quickly, my hands moving with precision, adjusting my tie

in the mirror, my reflection staring back at me, cold and unfeeling.

| should be dead. Again.

But instead, | was standing here, alive, and that meant someone was going to pay for what happened tonight

| moved to my laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard as | inputted the information | had gathered about

Dominic. Narcissist. Personal vendetta againstbecause of something I'd done to his family, something he

couldn't let go. Hot- headed. Dangerous, but predictable. | forwarded the details to Carter, already anticipating

his response.

Seconds later, my phone buzzed. Carter, always quick on the draw.

“With a sprinkle of happiness, my heart is warmed by the fact that you are not dead.”

I almost smirked. Almost. | shook my head, ignoring his sarcasm Carter would find him and Dominic would soon

reslize he just made the worst mistake of his life.

Fri, De

Chapter 36

n

| prepared to step out but before | could step out, my emergency phone rang and Maria’s voice was on the other

end laced

with tiredness.

“Considering the fact that | just felt a surge of energy pass through me, I'm guessing you got yourself killed

again.”

Her words were flat, but | knew better. Beneath her tone, there was concern.

“Your enthusiasm at my survival warms my heart,” | replied dryly

| couldn’t see her but | knew she just rolled her eyes. “Are you okay?”

There was a pause before | answered. “I'm fine. There's business | need to handle now. I'll call you later.”

“Make it hurt,” she said, her voice dark, and | smiled at that. She always did have a flair for the tic. Before

| could hang up, her voice softened. “Grayson.....

| sighed, knowing what was coming. “I know. I'm down to one chance with the ring.”

“And | might be powerful, but | don’t have the ability to create another one of that magnitude. So, please. Be

careful.”

“I know.” | ended the call.

With one last look in the mirror to ensure everything was in place, | left my room. | had work to do. The media

would be on this like vultures, and | needed to get ahead of the story. Liam would need to send out a statement

to keep things under control. Being a public figure cwith its burdens, and while | preferred that people

minded their business, | wasn’t naive enough to think that would happen.

As | walked down the hallway, voices drifted from the living room. | followed the sound, my steps silent, until |

reached the doorway. Ava, Isabella, Elaine, Liam, and Monica were scattered around, the tension in the room

thick. The news playing in the background caught my attention.

Patek Philippe, belonging to billionaire Grayson Blackwood. However, a body has still not been found...

| almost growled at the screen. The inaccuracy grated at me, like nails on a chalkboard.

“If they're going to talk about the watch, they should at least get the brand right.” My voice cut through the

room like at blade.

Elaine’s eyes shot to mine, and before | could react, she threw herself into my arms, her small frcolliding

with mine. | stiffened, my body rigid. | wasn’t the type for unnecessary displays of affection and reluctantly |

hugged her back.

Then my eyes shifted to Ava and her eyes caughtthey were stagnant and a deep shade of blue reminding