The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 138

-Ava’s POV-

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I couldn’t decide if I felt more relief or anger—or maybe it was a confusing mix of both that churned inside me. My thoughts were a tangled mess as I tried to pin my hair into place and finish getting ready for the ball happening in just a few

minutes.

First, he had lied to me, then he went to Italy. Then he lied about it again, went missing while he was at it, and now, even after being found, he wasn’t coming home right away. To make things worse, he refused to take

calls.

my

Since the rescue team had found him and Rickon, Grayson had blatantly avoided speaking to me. The silence was maddening, and my mind kept spinning in circles trying to figure out why.

What was going on?

The sound of Isabella’s heels clicking against the floor snapped me out of my thoughts. “Fussing over it isn’t going to get you any answers, Lilian,” she said, her tone both firm and sympathetic. “Believe me, I want to know what those two idiots are up to just as much as you do, but it’s not going to change anything tonight.” I sighed and dropped the hair clip I’d been struggling with onto the vanity. “Then what am I supposed to do, Bels?”

Isabella walked over, picked up the clip, and carefully pinned it into place at the back of my head. She stood behind me, her hands steady as she adjusted my hair, her voice calm. “What you’re going to do,” she said, “is get through this ball tonight. You’re going to prove to your parents that you’re no longer their puppet, and then-” she paused, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes as she met my gaze in the mirror, “–we’re going to use Grayson’s Black card to get the answers we want by booking two flights to Italy.”

Despite myself, I smiled. “You’re serious?”

She smirked. “Dead serious. But first, you’re going to go out there and host the best goddess-damned ball the Pierces have ever seen.” She raised my chin so I stared directly at my reflection, her confidence infectious, “And you are going to look like the most beautiful woman in the world doing it.”

I squeezed her hand, a bigger smile touching my lips, “Thanks, Bels.”

She stepped back with a satisfied nod. “Now, you know what time it is.”

I laughed, a real one this time, and stood up. This was tradition our ritual before any big event. Isabella and I always did a full outfit check for each other, no exceptions.

I spun around slowly, holding my arms out. “Well? Thoughts?”

Isabella tilted her head, scrutinizing every detail of my emerald gown. The fabric hugged my waist perfectly, flowing into an elegant cascade that brushed the floor. The neckline was modest yet striking, with intricate lacework that added a touch of sophistication. My hair was swept up into an elegant chignon, leaving a few soft curls framing my face.

Your

“You look stunning,” Isabella said with a grin. “That dress is a showstopper, hair? Makeup? Your beautiful self? Perfect.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Your turn.”

She stepped back, doing a little twirl. Isabella’s crimson gown was bold and dramatic, with a high slit that showcased her long legs and a plunging neckline that suited her perfectly. Her dark curls were pinned to one side, cascading over her

shoulder like a waterfall.

“Goddess above, Bels, you look incredible,” I said, laughing. “You’re going to turn every head in that room.” Chapter 138

“That’s the plan,” she said with a wink.

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With a final nod to each other, Isabella and I linked arms and left the room, heading toward the grand hall for one last check before the guests started to arrive.

“Do you think we missed anything?” Isabella asked as we walked briskly through the corridor, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

I shook my head, more to reassure myself than her. “We’ve gone over everything twice already. It’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, but your mother is coming,” she said, giving me a pointed look.

I sighed. “Tonight, I’m focusing on the ball, not on anyone’s criticism.”

As we entered the grand hall, the sheer scale of it momentarily stole my breath. The Omegas had truly outdone themselves. The room shimmered with soft gold and silver hues, the chandeliers casting warm light that danced across the polished floors. Tables were draped in rich fabrics, and floral arrangements that seemed to defy gravity decorated every corner.

“Wow,” Isabella whispered, mirroring the thought in my head.

“Yeah. They really pulled it off,” I murmured, trying to take it all in.

“Okay, Miss Hostess, let’s hope the guests are as impressed as we are,” she said with a smirk.

“They’d better be,” I muttered, mostly to myself.

Just as we turned to inspect the table settings one last time, I heard the unmistakable sound of heels clicking on the marble floor behind us. My stomach dropped. The first guests had arrived.

And of course, it was my parents.

I squared my shoulders, forcing myself to stay calm. I couldn’t let their presence ruin this night. Pushing every thought of Grayson and everything else out of my mind, I reminded myself of the countless etiquette lessons drilled into me growing

1. up.

Hostess mode: on.

“Here we go,” I muttered under my breath, plastering a polite smile on my face as I approached them.

I nodded, understanding his unspoken question. “They’re over there,” I said, gesturing toward the corner where my parents were standing. To my surprise, my mother still had a faint smile on her face, and my father was engaged in what seemed to be a pleasant conversation.

Uncle Damien’s gaze followed mine, his expression unreadable. “Well, then,” he said after a beat, nodding slightly before making his way toward them.

As I watched him go, I couldn’t help but think how smoothly the night was going. Maybe, just maybe, I was actually going to pull this off.

But the universe yet again had other plans.

The low hum of conversation in the hall abruptly shifted. Heads began to turn toward the grand entrance, and a ripple of murmurs coursed through the room.

I followed their gazes, my stomach sinking when I saw them. Elsine, Monica, and Crystal had just stepped into the hall, and they were impossible to miss.

Elsîne wore a red gown so tight it looked painted on, with a slit that ran dangerously high. Monica followed in an emerald dress that left little to the imagination, her back completely bare and her neckline plunging low enough to make even the boldest guests whisper. Crystal, on the other hand, was slightly more covered–likely due to her baby bump-but her black, off-the-shoulder gown was still form-fitting enough to highlight every

curve.

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My jaw tightened as I watched them saunter in as if they owned the place. They were half-naked at my ball.

My ball. Before I could even begin to process why they were here or how they had managed to get in, I felt the air shift again. The murmurs grew louder, and a new wave of attention focused on the doorway.

Someone else had entered behind them.

My wolf growled.

My eyes snapped to the figure stepping into the hall, and for some reason, our eyes locked instantly and then

Dylan grinned, an infuriating, smug smile that made my blood boil.

My eyes narrowed, and my wolf growled again, louder this time.

In that moment, I agreed with her completely…noveldrama

Blood was about to flow.