The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 50

-Ava’s POV-

I was going to stab someone. Correction: I was

going to stab Grayson. As if the pressure of planning a wedding on such short notice wasn’t enough, he’d just hijacked the entire thing and

Tomorrow.

“Lilian, for the hundredth time, stop pacing.” Isabella’s voice cut through my haze of anger. “You’re making my wolf anxious with all that stom I halted, spinning on my heel. “I’m not calling him. If he wants to change the wedding date without asking me then I’m not going for the wed “I know you’re pissed-”

“Oh, I’m beyond pissed, Bels,” I interrupted, the frustration spilling out of me. “I’m furious. Who the hell does he think he is?”

“The all-powerful Alpha King?” Isabella shrugged with a small smirk.

I shot her a glare, and she put her hands up in surrender. “Alright, bad timing for a joke. But seriously, Lilian, you have to go through with thi I exhaled heavily, rubbing my temples. “I know that, Bels, I do. But he sprung this whole wedding idea on me without a word. We had an agr Isabella grinned mischievously. “So you do want to marry him tomorrow?”

“One more stupid joke and I’ll punch you.”

She laughed. “Alright, alright. Seriously though, he’s taking over the plans and arranging everything by

tomorrow, so that saves you a lot of stress and he’s mega rich, whatever he does will be grand so big wedding: check. All you really have to

Her phone chimed suddenly, and she glanced down at the screen. “Speaking of dresses, Eliza just texted. Apparently, Grayson commande She looked back at me, her eyebrows raised. “Actually, she’s practically begging you to come pick it out before she has a meltdown.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Fine, tell her to send the location. I need to make a call first.”

over her screen as I dialed the one person who felt like real family apart from Isabella. Damien picked Isabella’s fingers flewnoveldrama

his voice warm. “You know I was just thinking of my favorite person in the world and she calls.” up on the first rin

I couldn’t help but smile. “Hi, Uncle Damien. I don’t have much time, but I need a big favor. The wedding is happening tomorrow, and I was I

A pause, then his voice softened. “Of course, little dove. It would be my honor. I’d drop everything just for you.”

A warmth filled me, easing some of the tension in my chest. “Thank you, Uncle Damien. I’ll text you the details. I wouldn’t want anyone else

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As I made to end the

call, he hesitated. “Are you sure you don’t want to reach out to your parents? It’s your wedding. They’re still your family, no matter what. The

I bit my lip. “I wish I could believe that, Uncle. But no. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.”

“Love you too, my little dove,” he replied, and I ended the call with a sigh.

Isabella nudged me. “So, Damien’s in?”

“Yeah.” I took a steadying breath. “Do you have the location?”

The excitement in her eyes was unmistakable. “Yes! Let’s go find you a dress.” She grabbed her purse, practically bouncing. “I never got to

A laugh escaped me. I grabbed her hand as we headed out, grateful to have her by my side.

Eliza was waiting at the boutique, pacing near the entrance and looking ready to explode with nerves. As soon as

Eliza finally broke the silence, her voice soft. “That’s the one.”

Isabella nodded, her smile turning warm. “Yeah. That’s definitely it.”

I looked at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. For a fleeting

moment, I allowed myself to imagine walking down the aisle in this dress, feeling almost like the bride I always dreamed I could be. This felt “I’m very sorry, but you cannot have that dress. It’s already been paid for.”

I turned, along with Isabella and Eliza, to see an older woman standing by the doorway, dressed with a level of sophistication that suggeste “Madam Raquel, the dress was on-❞

One withering glance from the woman cut her off. She turned to me, her smile now a forced display of civility. “I apologize for this misunders standing client reserved that dress, and I must respect her claim. All payments have been made in full.”

“That’s a load of bullshit,” Isabella snapped.

Before anyone could say anything else, the door swung open behind us. A tall, familiar figure entered the room, casting a long shadow that Isabella’s glare hardened as she muttered under her breath, “You have got to be kidding me.”

Madam Raquel’s entire demeanor changed as she lit up with genuine warmth, “I’m so glad

you could make it. I was just explaining to her that the dress is already spoken for.”

She turned back to me, her eyes now colder, as if the niceties had been disposed of entirely. “Please, take off my daughter’s dress.”

The shock hit me like a punch to the gut. My mind reeled as Isabella echoed my thoughts aloud. “What?”

And then, as if on cue, she stepped forward, a smug smile on her face, standing beside her mother, the picture of triumphant pettiness. Monica’s smile widened, taunting, enjoying every second. “You heard my mother, Ava. Take off my dress.”

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