The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176 Chapter 176

-Grayson’s POV-

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I was fifteen the first time my father hit me. It started as outbursts of his madness, a fury that seemed to have no direction other than me. At first, it shocked me, then it hurt, and finally, I learned to endure it. In time, my body adjusted to the pain, and I’d hardened myself to it.

That was three years before I got my wolf.

Now, without my wolf, that old, bitter familiarity with pain was the only thing keeping me grounded. The burning ache in my chest was excruciating, but I’d felt worse-or at least, I told myself I had.

When I blinked, the bright fluorescent light pierced my vision, making me wince. The antiseptic smell hit me next, sharp and clinical, and I knew exactly where I was. A hospital..

The memories surged forward all at once: the text, the shouting. Ava’s panicked voice calling my name, and the sharp explosion of pain in my chest. My hands twitched involuntarily, a grim reminder of the helplessness I’d felt in those

moments.

I turned my head, and the first thing I saw was a curtain of dark hair resting beside me. Relief flooded me instantly. Ava. She was okay!

“Ava.” My voice came out rough, barely audible, but it was enough to wake her.

Her head shot up, and her wide, tear-filled eyes locked onto mine. “Oh, my goddess, Grayson!” she cried, throwing herself forward in a hug. The sudden pressure made me wince, and she pulled back just as quickly. “I’m so sorry!”

I managed a weak nod, glancing around. “I need water.”

“Of course,” she said quickly, standing up and moving to the corner of the room. She poured water into a cup with shaky hands and brought it to me. I took it gratefully, the cool liquid sliding down my throat like salvation.

“What hospital is this?” I asked after a moment.

Her hesitation was subtle but noticeable. “It’s… my father’s hospital,” she admitted softly. “Grayson, I know you’re going to be

but I didn’t know what else to do. He was the only one I could trust to help you in time.” angry,

Luther Pierce saved my life. That was a sentence I never wanted to think about, but she wasn’t wrong. As much as I hated the man, I knew his reputation. I had learnt from Alaric that the Pierces were blessed by the Moon Goddess herself; if anyone could pull off a miracle, it was him.

I pushed myself into a sitting position, ignoring the dull throb in my chest. Ava rushed to steady me, her hands hovering. “Grayson, you shouldn’t sit up yet. Lie back down.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you playing doctor now?”

It was meant to be a joke, but she didn’t even crack a smile. That’s when I saw it-the guilt written all over her face. She thought this was her fault.

Before she could say anything, I decided to cut through her spiraling thoughts. “Ava,” I said firmly, “whoever is behind the killings of Aphas sent and sent that message to my estate sent me a message just before the shooting started. It was a warning. They said they’d make good on their threat to see the king fall.” I paused, meeting her gaze. “It wouldn’t have. mattered if we were at the carnival or locked in a bunker. They would’ve found a way to come after me. This isn’t your fault.

Do you hear me?”

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If

Her lips trembled as she whispered, “It’s not just that, Grayson. you had your wolf, you would’ve healed by now. And the reason you don’t is because of me. You’re still cursed because of me. You can’t find your mate because of-”

“Ava.”

She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

“You are not responsible for the choices I make,” I said firmly. “I chose this. I’ll figure out a way to break the curse without my mate, but you need to understand that none of this is on your

“It would be easier if-”

“Ava, stop.” My tone left no room for argument. “I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but she finally nodded, though her eyes lingered on the wound on my chest. “It missed your heart by a fraction. If—”

“No more ‘ifs,” I let out a sigh. “Come here.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “I’m not supposed to get on the bed. My father already threatened to kick me out once.”

I sighed again, about to respond, when the door opened, and Luther Pierce walked in like he owned the place. Technically, he did-it was his hospital-but his arrogant demeanor still rubbed me the wrong way.

Ava straightened immediately, her body going tense. His sharp gaze landed on me, and he tilted his head slightly. “Of course, you’re alive,” he said dryly.

At least he wasn’t pretending to care.

I couldn’t afford to put things off any longer. I needed to find a way to break this curse, find my wolf, and hunt down whoever was behind the threats. If I didn’t, next time, I might not wake up in a hospital bed.

As if Ava could hear my thoughts, she broke the silence. “What if we tracked the number that text came from?” Her voice was quiet at first, almost hesitant, but then she sat up straighter, determination sharpening her features. Without waiting for my response, she got up and walked over to where my clothes were folded neatly on a chair.

She rifled through the pile, pulling out my phone, and came back to the bed. “Here,” she said, already punching in my password.

I blinked at her, startled. “How the hell do you know my password?”

Ava rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen you do it a hundred times. You’re not exactly subtle when you put it in.”

I opened my mouth, a teasing remark ready at the double meaning of that last sentence but she caught on before I could say anything.

“Don’t even try it,” she said, smacking my shoulder lightly.

I winced at the sting, but a small smile tugged at my lips anyway. I took it, the screen already glowing in my hand. My fingers hovered over the messages icon then I opened the messaging app and scrolled to the text.

But the moment the message loaded, the screen flickered. A strange, static–like noise buzzed faintly from the phone. The message was there for a brief second-just enough for us to make out a few words-but then it disappeared, leaving nothing but a blank screen in its place.

“What the hell?” Ava said, leaning closer to look at the phone.

“I don’t know,” I muttered, pressing the screen again, trying to refresh the app. It didn’t help.

Before I could try anything else, a new notification popped up. My phone vibrated in my hand, and the static

noise grew louder.

Ava’s eyes widened. “Grayson… what’s happening?”noveldrama

I stared at the phone, the words on the screen clear and deliberate:

‘The Queen Is Next.

Then, the screen went black.

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