The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 11

Ava’s POV-

“What do you mean you can’t fix her?” My mother’s voice was rd, like ice cutting through the air. It echoed through the room and beyond the

“I’ve tried every spell, Mrs. Pierce. Just as you’ve tried everything you could medically. The man’s tired voice followed. heavy with defeat. He to fix me before I ruined their perfect image of a flawless family.

“I will not have a latent daughter!” Her voice rose again, sharper han before, biting through the walls and stabbing

at my chest. “What do you think people will say?”

The words hit me like

a slap. I felt the first tear escape, sliding down my cheek, Latent. That word swirled in my head, lodging itself deep in my heart like a blade, My eighteenth birthday was supposed to be the day I finally got my wolf. The companion that would be with me forever. Instead, it became t “Latent wolves can feel their wolves, but they just can’t shift,” the man explained softly, almost like he was trying to be gentle with the truth. came the words that truly broke me. “But Ava’s case is different.. I can’t feel her wolf at all. It’s like it

doesn’t even exist

I snapped out of the memory, my heart pounding as Isabella’s face came into focus.

I blinked. “What’s happening? Where am I?”

Her eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. “That’s exactly what I want to know. What is happening, Lilian? Why did the Alpha King- emphasis on Alpha King-

walk into a burning building to save you, Lilian? Why did the Alpha King say you’re his Luna, Lilian? And why, Lilian-”

“Okay, okay! I get it!” I groaned, pressing a hand to my head as struggled to sit up. My body still ached from the flames. “You are mad at me “Complicated?” she shot back, her voice rising. “You leave Dylan one day, and the next, you’re suddenly Luna to the most powerful man in t “Isabella, I’m really-

“Don’t you dare try to brush this off. We are having this conversation right now. I don’t care if your head hurts. I don’t care if you’re confused She stalked over to the table, grabbed something, and tossed it at me. “The Alpha King had ice packs sent to you, by the way. Now start e I caught the ice pack and sighed. I knew I should have started the conversation in the restaurant with this because Isabella hated being kep

Issue

I pressed the ice pack to my forehead and muttered, “After I went through with the

plan to expose Dylan, Grayson was… impressed. He said I was a part of his pack, and then he asked if I wanted to be his Luna.”

Her eyes narrowed further, her glare sharp as a

knife. “Do I look like I’m smiling. Lilian? You think this is funny?”

pouted, trying to soften the tension. “No, but you look really pretty when you do smile.”

Lilianl

“Okay, fine!” I groaned, exasperated. “But that’s what happened!

Technically, it was the truth. I just wasn’t telling her the whole toth, I trusted Isabella—more than anyone-

but there were things about Grayson that she didn’t need to know. Not yet. I needed to understand what I had gotten myself into before dra She shook her head, the hurt evident in her eyes. “It’s like 1 don❞ even know you anymore. After all these years, you still don’t trust me? Firs

know?”

She stepped back, ready to leave, her hands shaking. “T’ll see myself out.”

I nodded, glancing overat-

labella, who remained silent but ten Llam’s gaze shifted back to her, a brief flicker of something crossing his face before he snapped out of I

1 inferm Grayson that you’re fine,” he added, his tone clipped as if he couldn’t leave the room fast enough.

“No, wait,” I blurted out before he could turn away, my heart pounding faster. “Can L… Can I have an audience with Grayson!”

Liam’s reaction wasn’t what I expected. His shoulders stiffened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of hesitation in his eyes. He glan “That wouldn’t be a good idea right now.”

“Why?” I pressed, feeling the frustration and confusion rise inside me. I hadn’t actually spoken to Crayson since he basically threw me out Why was he avoiding me?

Liam’s eyes darkened slightly, and I could tell he was trying to

tread lightly. “Grayson… he’s not in the best mood right now. Your father just left.”

My stomach dropped. “What? My father was here?”

Liam nodded, his gaze becoming wary. “He came to see Grayson And… he threatened him.”

linked, feeling a sharp pang of anxiety spike through me. My father? Threatening Grayson? That was a death wish. My father was a powerfu the Alpha King.

“What did my father want?” My voice was barely steady, my heart already hammering in anticipation of what Liam was going to tell me.

Liam glanced at Isabella again, as if debating whether to share the rest in front of her, but then he exhaled heavily. “Your father gave Grayso