The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 36

-Grayson’s POV-

I felt the flames rise, licking closer and closer to my skin, the heat unbearable. My wolf surged forward in response, roaring inside my head,

The fresh air hit me like a punch, cool and sharp. I didn’t waste any time. My paws pounded against the ground as I ran through the trees, m lungs burning with each breath.

Death had come for me once before.

I knew that feeling–the cold, endless void that seemed to

stretch on forever, pulling me deeper, drowning me in nothingness. It was like falling, slipping further and further away from everything that r Yanked violently back into life.

This time felt no different. Except… I was down to my last chance

I was powerful but even I knew I wasn’t invincible which was why I had Maria use magic to give me chances of life through a ring. I wore it a The thought made me grind my teeth. I should have been more focused.

This attack should have never gone through.

I pushed harder, my body moving swiftly through the shadows as I made my way back to the estate. The city loomed ahead, lights flickering when I needed to slip in unnoticed.

Once inside, I shifted back into my human form, the transformation smooth but leaving me momentarily drained. My limbs felt heavy, and th

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 br I should be dead. Again.

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

I moved to my laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard as I inputted the information I had gathered about Dominic. Narcissist. Personal ve headed. Dangerous, but predictable. I 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.”noveldrama

I almost smirked. Almost. I shook my head, ignoring his sarcasm Carter would find him and Dominic would soon reslize he just made the wo his life.

Fri, De

Π

I prepared to step out but before I could step out, my emergency phone rang and

Maria’s voice was on the other end laced

with tiredness.

“Considering the fact that I just felt a surge of energy pass through me, I’m guessing you got yourself killed again.”

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

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

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

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

“Make it hurt,” she said, her voice dark, and I smiled at that. She always did have a flair

for the dramatic. Before I could hang up, her voice softened. “Grayson…..

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

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

“I know.” I ended the call.

With one last look

in the mirror to ensure everything was in place, I left my room. I had work to do. The media would be on this like vultures, and I needed to g control. Being a public figure came with its burdens, and while I preferred that people minded their business, I wasn’t naive enough to think

“Someone paid to have my brakes cut,” I said, keeping my voice flat, controlled, though I saw

her eyes widen, her gaze darting instinctively to her door handle like she was considering an escape. I managed a small, wry smile. “I made She exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and relaxed, if only slightly. “What happened after the crash?” she asked, her voic

“I woke up chained in some rundown cabin in the woods, dosed with enough wolfsbane to kill me.”

Her eyes widened further, fear flashing in them for a moment. She didn’t need to know that it did kill me. That wasn’t something I wanted to especially not now.

“But you’re alive,” she whispered, like she was trying to convince herself. Relief washed over her face, but she wasn’t done. “Is that why we

I didn’t answer immediately. My jaw tightened, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

She shifted beside me, then spoke again, more insistent this time. “I’m not trying to defend him—

I know what he’s capable. of. But my father doesn’t stab people in the back. If he were

behind this, you’d know. He’d make sure you saw him coming. He always takes the high road in a twisted sense.”

Her words were my thoughts exactly. Luther Pierce wouldn’t hide behind some third-

rate assassin. He was proud, too proud to operate in the shadows. And yet, I couldn’t shake the doubt.

Not entirely.

“What happens if he is behind this?” she asked, her voice low, almost trembling.

My grip on the wheel tightened, my

knuckles white against the leather. I turned my gaze toward her, just briefly enough for her to catch the seriousness in my eyes.

“For your sake, Ava….. hope he’s not.”

COMMENT

SEND