The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 49

-Grayson’s POV-

The past was something I’d buried years ago. Or at least, I thought I had. Whenever it started clawing its way back to

the surface, I’d call on Maria to suppress the memories with her magic. It never lasted, though. No matter what she did, they crept back.

Like shadows that followed me wherever I went.

As soon as we got back from Italy, I went straight to Maria’s. Calling her would’ve been pointless-

she’d take her sweet time getting back to me, and right now, I needed the memories gone. I needed my head clear, especially if I was going “You know you don’t have to frown all the time,” Maria’s voice broke through my thoughts as she set a steaming cup of tea in front of me, ey I frowned harder. “And you don’t have to live in a shack that barely fits one person, let alone your ego.”

She rolled her eyes, settling herself on a chair that looked like it had barely survived the last century. “You know, I like where I live, Grayson. need your real estate advice.” She leaned forward, voice more serious. “Now, why don’t we focus on why you’re here.”

I leaned back, exhaling heavily. “The spell’s wearing off. I’m starting to remember.”

A flicker of sympathy crossed her face before

she quickly pushed it aside. Maria knew better than to let pity show

around me. She mirrored my sigh, crossing her arms. “I warned you, Gray. The more I surpress the memories, the more bad the eventual c “And I’ve told you,” I snapped, jaw clenching. “I’ll handle it when it comes.”

Maria flinched, a subtle movement, but my wolf noticed, growling within. I closed my eyes briefly, reigning him back. “I didn’t mean to snap. “I know,” she said

gently, her tone dropping. “You’re mad at yourself, and it’s leaking into everything. Your aura’s practically pulsing around this whole room.”

“Yes.”

The word left my mouth before I could stop it, and

from the way her eyebrows shot up, she hadn’t expected it either. Silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable, and before I coul “I took her to Italy, and-”

“Oh, romantic getaway?” Maria teased with a grin.

I shot her a glare, and her smirk quickly disappeared.

“As I was saying… I took her to Italy. She got kidnapped and shot at. Ricardo was behind the kidnapping, but the shot wasn’t his doing.”

Maria studied me, tilting her head slightly. “So, let me guess. You’re already planning revenge, but you won’t kill him.”

I raised an eyebrow, surprised at her insight.

She continued, “You enjoy the rivalry between the two of you. You have plenty of enemies, but Ricardô is the only one who keeps things inte I’d know,

considering how often you have me keep tabs on him with my magic.”

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If I were anyone else, I’d have rolled my eyes. Apparently, everyone but me was aware of this… “friendly” rivalry I supposedly had with Rica “Is she alright?” Maria’s voice softened, snapping me back.

“Yes,” I muttered. “But… she’s latent. There’s no wolf in her to protect her. Other than her werewolf bloodline, she’s entirely human.” Maria’s expression shifted, a new

understanding in her eyes. “So you’re worried about her. She’s vulnerable, and if your enemies come after her again and you can’t reach he The way she could read me so easily irked me, but I stayed silent. She didn’t need any more confirmation than that.

A smile crept onto her face, and I immediately knew I wasn’t going to like what she was about to say. “You care about a woman. You, Grays “Don’t push it,” I ground out, jaw tightening.

She raised her hands in mock surrender. “Just stating the facts,” she said, though her teasing tone faded, replaced with seriousness. “I migh “Do it,” I replied instantly.

Her lips quirked up in amusement. “Isn’t that something you’d want to discuss with her first?”

I kept my face blank. “No.”

“No, because it would make you seem like you actually care?”noveldrama

Then, just as quickly, it was gone. The glow faded from the bracelet, and the pain dulled, leaving only a hollow ache.

Maria’s chanting stopped, and silence settled over us like a heavy blanket.

“It didn’t work,” she said, her voice low and troubled.

I clenched my jaw. “What do you mean, it didn’t work?”

She looked up, frustration flickering in her eyes. “There was… resistance. Something blocking the link. I think you two need to be unified for “Monday next week.” My tone was clipped.

“First of all, I’m offended I didn’t receive an invitation. And second, why are you marrying on a Monday? Weddings are on Saturdays.”

“Because I do what I want.”

She rolled her eyes, smirking. “You sound like a spoiled child. But that aside, I can cast the spell during the wedding. That might give you er actually talk to her about it first.”

“No.” My answer was immediate, firm. “If it can only happen then, Monday is too

far away. Anything could happen between now and then. I need this protection link done now.”

She shot me an irritated look. “Well, I’m not a miracle worker.”

“Unfortunately,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “That spell you do with papers to send messages, the one that always annoys me—

do it now. Send a message to Ava.”

“Ava? We finally get a name,” she teased, then quickly raised her hands in mock surrender at my glare. “Fine, no need to get all growly. Wh

“Tell her I’ve decided to take over the plans for the wedding….. and it’s happening tomorrow.”