The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 139

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+Ava’s POV-

Breathe, Ava. Breathe.

1 repeated it to myself five times, forcing the words into my mind, but it was no use. The mantra wasn’t working My heart was pounding, and I could feel the heat rising in my chest. The seconds seemed frozen, the entire room watching me, waiting for what I would do next.

I was pissed.

Sure, I’d been focusing more on the ball than my actual birthday but waking up with Isabella and our usual birthday tradition had been enough for me but it was still my day and this was my ball. And there was no way I was going to let them ruin it.

My feet moved instinctively, propelling me forward before my brain could catch up. I reached them in a few short strides, and before any of them could open their mouths, I spoke, my voice sharp and cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.

“I didn’t invite any of you,” I said coldly, “and I need you to leave

Crystal was the first to react, her hand immediately resting on her stomach as though to remind me of the circumstances that had led us all to this point. Her voice was light, almost mocking.

“Actually,” she began, “your parents invited Dylan. And considering the fact that we are now officially mates“- her other hand brushed the fresh mark on her neck with a smirk-“I’d say have every reason to be here.”

Her words hit me like a slap, but I forced myself to keep my expression calm. He’d marked her. The bastard had actually

blood marked her. I didn’t let the shock show on my face, but the fact that she’d done it so openly, so deliberately, made my boil.

Before I could speak, Dylan’s voice broke through, dripping with that smug arrogance I had grown to despise. His eyes slid down my body, and for the briefest second, I thought I saw something-want, maybe?-flash in his gaze which was weird because his lack of interest in me was what started all of this in the first place. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the indifference I’d come to expect.

“Smells like desperation in here,” he muttered as he passed, taking Crystal’s hand and brushing past me. She laughed as if he’d said the most hilarious thing in the world.

I stood there, struggling to process what had just happened. My mind raced with responses, but before I could settle on one, Monica spoke.

“You don’t look well,” she said, her voice saccharine with false concern. Then she smirked. “Well, nothing new there.”

That did it.

Something inside me snapped, and I felt a calm determination settle over me. I straightened my back, took a deep breath, and spoke, my voice steady and firm.

“I’ll only say this once,” I said, locking eyes with Monica. “Turn around and take your half-naked selves out of my ball.”

Elaine, who had been silent up until now, finally decided to join in. She had been smiling, clearly enjoying my struggle, and her grin widened as she stepped forward.

“I’m in my cousin’s home,” she replied smoothly, her tone dripping with superiority. “I’ll go wherever I wish to go. And since Monica is my best friend, I’m extending that freedom to her too. At least“-her smile turned wicked—until Grayson comes back. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

Her dismissal was like a slap to the face. I could feel the weight of the room’s eyes on me. People were pretending to carry on their conversations, but I knew they were all watching this unfold. Even my parents’ gazes were heavy on my back.

487

No one was going to step in. Not Isabella, not Eliza, not even the warriors stationed discreetly around the room. This was my battle, and I had to fight it alone.

I took another deep breath, feeling my wolf stir inside me. The anger simmering beneath my skin threatened to spill over, but I held it in check.noveldrama

“Elaine,” I said, my voice low and warning. “Monica. I’m giving you one last chance to leave on your own.” Monica scoffed, rolling her eyes. “And if we don’t?”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice even further. “Don’t make thing you’ll regret.”

That’s when it happened.

A deep growl rumbled from my chest, low and primal, and I felt a surge of power ripple through me. My vision blurred for a moment, and when I opened my eyes again, I could feel the shift. Everything was sharper, clearer. The room seemed smaller, the air thicker.

My wolf had taken over.

I didn’t need a mirror to know my eyes had turned black, the telltale sign of my wolf’s dominance. But it wasn’t just my eyes. The energy radiating from me was tangible, like a physical force pressing against everyone in the room.

Elaine and Monica froze. Their eyes widened, and for the first time, I saw something I had never seen in either of them before: fear.

The powerful aura I was giving off wasn’t just stunning them-it was pushing them back. They took a step back, then another, as if the very air around me was too much for them to handle.

Even I was stunned. I could feel the weight of my own power, and it was unlike anything I had ever experienced.