The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 13

– Ava’s POV-

That was the first and only word he had spoken since I entered the study, and it carried so much weight, so much force, that common sense courage I thought I had when I walked into the study. Inoveldrama

“What part is a mistake, Ava?”

The way he said my name-low, dangerous-

made my pulse quicken. It wasn’t a question. It was a warning, a threat wrapped in those simple words. All the explanations I’d rehearsed in

Why

y did I think this was a good idea? In less than twenty four hours since I met him, he had had to walk into a burning building to save me and “I think I’ve had enough of Pierce nonsense today to last me a lifetime. Leave.”

I should’ve listened. I should’ve turned around, walked out, and accepted that this was it. There were no take backs when it came to him bu Can I please sit?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper, trying to sound stronger than I felt.

“No.”

The answer came swift and cold. I sat down anyway, defying him, and I heard the low growl rumble from his chest. I closed my eyes, trying steady myself.

“You’re stronger than this, Lilian. Don’t let anyone push you around.” Isabella’s voice echoed in my mind.

When I opened my eyes again, his expression had shifted, though it was no less menacing. He was watching me closely, his eyes dark and “My father,” I started, swallowing the lump in my throat, “He will make good on his threat and I think that the unnecessary bloodshed can be

He leaned back, one eyebrow arching, the

smallest hint of amusement dancing in his cold gaze. “So, you want me to

tear up the contract because Daddy doesn’t approve!” His tone dripped with mockery, condescension that made my blood boil.

“Stop talking to me like I’m an idiot,” I snapped before I could stop myself.

A ghost of a smirk tugged at his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Oh, I don’t think you’re an idiot, Ava. Quite the opposite. You’re smart, may I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off, his voice sharp as a blade. “When Pm speaking, I don’t like to be interrupted. Understand? I clenched my fists in my lap, nodding, biting back the retort burning on my tongue.

“If I agree to this. annulment,” he said, his voice now cold and calculating, “what happens next? You will do as your father wishes and retur

“Of course not!” The words came out louder than I intended, desperate. “I’d never go back to him. I’d stay with Bels, find a job- hell. I’m good at what I do. I’d be fine. And I could still help you, professionally, with the…..”

III

The words trailed off. Irion’know what it was about him that mile me so uncomfortable mentioning it.

For a long moment, he didn’t speak. He just stared at me, his lip curving into a smile–

a smile that made my stomach twist in knots. “You’ve thought this through, haven’t you?”

I stared at him, unblinking, as the weight of his words settled between us. Neither of us moved, and the silence in the room grew heavier, st

“I have no intention of hurting you, Ava,” he finally spoke. “And won’t spend the next year trying to control you. You want to work, go ahead back

There is no going back. The words reverberated in my head, over and over like my reality was just settling in. No going back. I was bound One whole year.

I felt the weight of it all-this strange new life, the contract, the power he had over me- press down on my shoulders. Nodding slowly, I forced myself to stand,

legs feeling weak beneath me. There was nothing left to say. I wiped at the tears threatening to spill, my throat tightening as I fought the urg Turning away, I made my way toward the door, each step feeling like I was dragging myself out of quicksand. His eyes were on me, I could f

“Ava

I stopped. His voice, saying my name-

it did something to me. It was like each time he spoke it, it carried a different meaning, a deeper weight. It pulled me in, like a string I couldn

I turned back slowly, unsure of what I was expecting

to see. He was staring at me, hard and unyielding. Gone was the momentary softness, replaced by the cold, intimidating man I had first met

“I suggest you talk to your father soon,” he said, his words chilling in their calmness. “Because if he follows through with his threat… I won’t