The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 54

-Ava’s POV-

I had pictured my wedding day only once when I was a child, and it had always been a perfect, precise image. In a grand hall, with every co

Perfection was what I knew but still, I had loved that version of a wedding I hoped to have.

In that childhood vision, there was a little boy at the end of the aisle, waiting for me. He was faceless then-

a figure without a name or identity.

The wedding with Dylan hadn’t felt anything like that

image. Being fated mates and his family ties to Uncle Damien were the only reasons it happened at all, but there was always something ab

Now, as I walked down the aisle again, every step felt like something out of a fairytale I’d secretly cherished. Everything looked just as the wished, perfect in every way.

And the boy was now a man, with a face—and it was Grayson’s face.

A tug pulled me back to reality as Isabella’s voice shattered the dream. She was bouncing on my bed, practically screaming, “It’s our weddin up, wake up!”

I groaned, rolling over and pulling the pillow over my head. “Since it’s ours, you go marry him, and we’ll switch later,” I mumbled. “I still need

She smacked me with another

pillow, not giving up. “Don’t be a buzzkill, Lilian! Get up! Eliza’s already on her way back with the bridesmaid dresses, and the hair and make I threw a mock glare her way, launching my pillow at her. “I hate you.”

“And I love you too. Now, let’s get you married,” she said with a grin that was contagious.

Those were the last words of sanity before the day picked up speed. Everything came at me in a blur: hair, makeup, gown fittings, the practi Getting married to Dylan had never felt like this-

it had felt more like a burden, an expectation I was fulfilling. But with Grayson… even though I knew this marriage was a temporary arrange As I stared at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman looking back. The gown hugged me perfectly, sleek and timeless, with a s just enough detail to make it special. I looked elegant, confident.

Then there was my face, framed by waves of dark hair that flowed around me like liquid midnight, enhancing every angle, every detail. My e I closed my eyes for a second, letting the scene sink in as the car took me to the venue and I made my way to the room I would stay before

64

“…and

now,” the priest’s voice rose, snapping me out of my reverie, “do you, Ava, take Grayson as your lawful wedded husband, to have and to ho “Yes,” I said, my voice steady, even though my heart raced. “I do.

The priest turned

to Grayson, his expression as impassive as ever. “And do you, Grayson, take Ava as your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickne better or for worse, as long as you both shall live?”

Grayson paused, his gaze unwavering. For a fleeting second, I thought he might actually hesitate. But he inclined his head slightly, his word The priest smiled and continued, “Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I glanced up at Grayson, expecting him to take the lead, but he just stood there, his expression still as blank as stone. A flicker of irritation

Without waiting another second, I closed the distance between us, rising on my toes as I leaned in, pressing my lips to his. I heard Isabella But then, something happened.noveldrama

As our lips met, an electric surge coursed through me. It was intense, like a jolt, but not painful–

more like an awakening. For a brief moment, I thought I could feel something deeper beneath Grayson’s cold exterior. Emotions I wasn’t ex Then, just as I was beginning to think he wouldn’t respond, he kissed me back. The kiss transformed, becoming charged and powerful, pulli The priest cleared his throat, bringing us back to reality. With a slight shiver, I pulled back, realizing the depth of what had just happened as I was Ava Blackwood.