The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 84

-Ava’s POV

Be Careful What You Wish For.

They say to be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. In my case, it wasn’t so much a wish as a desperate question- one I now wished I’d never asked.

The words Grayson had spoken. “I killed them, still echoed in my mind like a haunting melody that refused to fade. Whatever fragile conne “Why did you have to ask that, Ava?” I muttered to myself for the hundredth time. My frustration surged as I thought of my impulsiveness. For five days now, I hadn’t seen Grayson. He’d sent a curt text each day, informing me he was busy handling pack business- namely, the grisly string of murders that had shaken the werewolf community. Thankfully, there hadn’t been any new incidents, and to my s Did I even have the right to be mad at him? After all, I was the one who had caused this. But that didn’t make me hate the situation any less And what did it say about

me that I hadn’t packed my things and led after learning the truth about him? A man who had admitted to killing his parents. A man I had wa Shouldn’t I be running as far and as fast as I could? Instead, here was, clinging to some threadbare hope that Grayson would return and off A sigh escaped my lips as I flung the book I’d been pretending to read across the room. The thud of its spine hitting the floor was unsatisfyir I needed something-anything-

to occupy my mind. Without thinking, I grabbed a sweater and decided to explore the

mansion.

The halls of Grayson’s sprawling estate were grand but eerily quiet. Omegas moved silently, bowing their heads in deference as I passed. I them polite smiles, but the gesture felt hollow.

It struck me then: I hadn’t made any effort to get to know these people. Whether or not my marriage to Grayson was genuine, I was their Lu

A memory surfaced of the kind man who had driven me to Isabella’s house. He’d been so gentle

and welcoming. I owed it to him-and all of them-to do better.

Determined, I stopped one of the omegas, a petite girl who looked no older than sixteen, “Excuse me, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Her wide eyes shot up to meet mine before she quickly bowed her head. “I–

I’m sorry, Luna. I didn’t mean to stare. Please have mercy.”

“What?” I blinked in confusion.

“I shouldn’t have looked at you,” she stammered. “It’s not my place. I deserve to be punished.”

The words hit me like a slap, and my chest tightened. “No, no, “I said quickly, softening my tone. “You’re not in trouble.

Please, look at me I just wanted to ask you something.”

Hesitantly, she raised her head, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

“There’s no

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need to be afraid,” I assured

her. “I just wanted to know if there’s a place where omegas usually gather. I’d like to meet everyone. I realize I’ve been here for a while, and

Her expression shifted to one of surprise, then confusion. “You you want to meet us?”

“Yes,” I said warmly. “And why would you think you’re in trouble just for looking at me? Did Grayson set that rule?”

“No, Luna,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s Miss laine. She doesn’t like it when we look at her. Omegas get punished if we Elaine. The name made my stomach churn. I had almost forgotten about her, which was probably a blessing. But hearing this nonsense ma boil.

“I’m so sorry that happened,” I said earnestly. “That’s going to stop, I promise. So, is there a place where everyone gathers!”

The girl seemed to relax a little. “Well….. most of us are in the kitchen right now, preparing food for the pack gathering later tonight. It’s nothin

I grinned. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. I’m not a tattletale.”noveldrama

For the first time, she smiled back. “Thank you, Luna. I have to get back to my duties now, but it was nice meeting you.

“Wait,” I said as she turned to leave. “What’s your name?”

“Brianna,” she said with a shy smile.

“Brianna,” I repeated. “It was nice meeting you too.

to their tasks, though their glances toward me lingered with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.

I took a step closer to one of the counters, where a woman was carefully slicing vegetables. She froze when I approached, her knife hoverir air. “Hi,” I said gently. “That looks like a lot of work. Do you do this every day?”

She blinked at me, her hands trembling slightly. “Y-yes, Luna. It it’s part of my duty.”

“Well, it smells amazing,” I said, inhaling the rich aroma wafting arough the kitchen “You’re doing a fantastic job.”

Her lips parted in surprise, and then a small, shy smile appeared. “Thank you, Luna.”

Encouraged by the subtle shift in her demeanor, I moved to another part of the kitchen, where a younger boy was stirring a large pot. He loc nervously, his hands gripping the ladle tightly.

“What’s in there?” I asked, nodding toward the pot.

“Uh… stew, Luna,” he mumbled, his cheeks turning pink.

“It smells delicious,” I said, leaning slightly to take a closer look. bet everyone’s going to love it.”

His face lit up with pride, and he straightened his posture. “I hope so.”

Gradually, the Omegas started to relax. The conversations resumed, this time with me included. A few of them even asked me questions— how I was adjusting to life here, if I liked the food if I needed anything.

The older man, Brianna’s “Grandpa,” stepped forward again. “Luna, it means a lot that you’ve come here. We’ve.. never had someone in yo you. We thought the Alpha King will marry someone like him, someone

who is

“Who is what?”

Just like that the air stilled and everyone stopped moving. I let out a groan swallowing hard before I slowly turned to the door where Grayso

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