The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 140

-Grayson’s POV

Two Days Earlier

“So the plan is no plan?” Rickon asked, adjusting his ridiculous black shades as we waited at the gates to enter Ricardo’s territory

I didn’t even glance at him. “The plan is for you to keep your usual antics to yourself and not say anything to piss anyone off.”

Even without looking, I could feel him rolling his eyes. I’d spent far too much time around him to know, and that alone was enough to remind me I needed to get this over with and head back home. Back to reality.

Back to the possibility of a future without her.

That bitter voice in my head tried to surface, but I shoved it down, hard. There was no room for distractions now-not when I had a potential crisis on my hands.

“Quick question.”

I turned my head sharply, narrowing my eyes at him. Rickon raised his hands in mock surrender, a lopsided grin forming on his face. “I swear it’s a valid one,” he said, “but don’t you think it’s a little….. I don’t know… suicidal to walk in here without backup? These people think you killed their Alpha. They’re probably banding together with Goddess knows who to come after you. And now here you are, waltzing right into their stronghold. Alone. No army. Nothing.”

He wasn’t wrong, and that was what irritated me most.

I let out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the car for a moment. When Ava had advised me to get ahead of the brewing tension and send word out to all the packs, I hadn’t thought to include Ricardo’s. His pack was technically under my reign, but his family had broken away from the faction long ago, relocating to Italy. I hadn’t considered them a threat. That oversight might have been my biggest mistake.

risks. Not that I thought whatever they were planning could actually take me down, but still. My instincts told me to end this before it began. With the curse still tied to what was wrong with my wolf, I couldn’t afford to take unnecessary

“Earth to you, Your Highness,” Rickon drawled, snapping me out of my thoughts.

My gaze locked on him, and I took a slow, deliberate step forward. “I don’t like the way you use that title. I might have invited you on this trip because I need your strength if things go sideways, but don’t push it. I’m still the Alpha King.”

Rickon folded his arms, pouting like a scolded child. “Whatever, he muttered.

Typical.

The sound of the gates creaking open stole my attention. Without another word, I started the car’s engine, driving through as soon as the gates were wide enough.

As we parked, two men in sharp black suits approached, their expressions unreadable. I stepped out of the car first, my wolf instantly on edge, alert for any sign of danger.

“Your Highness,” one of the men said, bowing slightly. “We’ve been instructed to take you to the person in charge. He’s been awaiting your arrival ever since he received word that you wished to meet with him.”

This wasn’t the hostile reception I’d been expecting, and that alone put me on guard. I didn’t respond, just gave a short nod, my senses heightened. Behind me, Rickon let out a low grumble as he climbed out of the car, but he followed without

<

complaint,

The men led us through a familiar hallway-one I hadn’t been down since the last time I was here. Memories surged back, unbidden: Ricardo’s smug face, the women gathered in the main hall, the schemes he’d orchestrated to kidnap Ava.

Rickon’s voice broke through my thoughts, a mental tug on my psyche. I opened the connection reluctantly.

“This place is creepy as hell. And I can’t see a damn thing in these shades.

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