The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 135

hapter 135

-Ava’s POV-

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I could hear the sound of my feet pounding on the floor as I made my way to Elaine’s apartment within Grayson’s estate, Isabella trailing behind me. My mind raced with a singular, burning thought:

How dare she?

How dare they?

Once we reached the entrance, I instinctively raised my hand and knocked softly, more out of reflex than intention–my mother had always told me to knock gently. Isabella, however, snapped from behind, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Before I could respond, she all but pulled me backward and pounded her fist on the door. “Elaine, we know you’re in there! You’d better open this door, or I swear I’ll break it down. I’m giving you five seconds. One… two… three-”

The door swung open to reveal an irritated-looking Elaine. Her hair was disheveled, and her expression was one of pure annoyance. “What is the meaning of this?”

Without hesitation, Isabella yanked my phone from my hand, holding it up alongside the bug we’d extracted. “No, what is the meaning of this?”

Elaine’s gaze flicked from the phone to Isabella and then to me. Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And as you can clearly see”-she gestured to her silk robe-“I was getting ready for bed.”

“It’s three in the afternoon,” Isabella shot back, irritation dripping from her tone.

Elaine smirked, unfazed. “I need my beauty sleep at any time of the day. you’re hardly acquainted with the concept of ‘beautiful.”

g you wouldn’t understand, Isabella, since

I took a calming breath and finally spoke, keeping my voice steady. “Elaine, why did you bug my phone? That’s an invasion of privacy on so many levels.”

Her eyes narrowed further. “Like I said, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She made to close the door, but Isabella was faster, grabbing a handful of Elaine’s hair and yanking her out into the hall. Before I could stop her, Elaine hit the floor with a thud but sprang up instantly, claws extended and fury blazing in her eyes.

“I’ve had just about enough of you two!” Elaine hissed.

I stepped between them, my patience fraying at the edges. “I am so tired of this back and forth, Elaine. Grayson and Rickon are missing, and instead of focusing on finding them, we’re here fighting. I’ve had enough of your threats, your attitude, and your incessant drama.”

“And who’s going to make me stop? You?” Elaine sneered, her voice dripping venom. “What are you going to do, Ava? Sleep your way to control, just like you did with Grayson?”

The words hit hard, but I didn’t react. I just stared at her, and in her eyes, I saw it-bitterness, anger, and so much hate. She wasn’t the same girl she had been before the fire. Whatever heart she once had, she’d buried it long ago, embracing the darkness instead.

I’d come here fueled by anger over the bug, determined to confront her. But now, standing here, I realized that giving her this confrontation only served as fuel for her rage. I was done being her outlet.

“What?” Elaine sneered again. “Nothing to say now?”

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I took a step back, catching the surprise in her eyes as I turned to Isabella. “Let’s go.”

Isabella blinked. “What?”

I shook my head, already walking away. “I’m not doing this anymore. Let’s go wait for news about Grayson and Rickon.”

Elaine’s voice rang out behind us. “What? You’re just going to walk away? Not mad that I bugged your phone anymore?”

Isabella grabbed my arm, her voice low but urgent. “Lilian, did you hear her? She just admitted it!”

I didn’t break my stride. “Because she wants a fight. I’m not giving her one. Grayson and Rickon are what matter right now- not Elaine’s games.”

“So you’re just letting it go?” Isabella asked, incredulous.

I smiled faintly. “Who said I was?”

When we returned to Grayson’s mansion, the atmosphere was different. Something had shifted. I headed toward the grand hall, intending to check on a few things, but the sight that greeted me stopped me cold. The decorations were being changed.

I glanced around, bewildered. “What the hell is going on?”

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