The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 18

-Ava POV-

“I think you’ve had enough conversations for the day. Drops that bottle and go to bed. And keep your friend under control.”

Grayson’s voice was ice-

cold, like a command carved out of stone, leaving no room for argument. Without sparing me another glance, he turned on his heel and wal My heart pounded in my chest, but it wasn’t from fear. It was frustration, confusion and something else I couldn’t quite name. Every encount balance like I was constantly playing a game where I didn’t know the rules. And the worst part? He was the only one who held the pieces.

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog that had crept in. How much time had passed? Suddenly, the fact that Isabella was still here register How had I forgotten?

I hurried back to the spot where I’d left her, only

to find it empty. I scanned the area, my pulse quickening. Where had she gone? After a few minutes of searching, I gave up, defeated. I co think about.

When I finally opened the door, relief washed over me. She was asleep, curled up on the bed, hugging a pillow like it was her lifeline. I could I quietly set the bottle down and slid into bed next to her, wrapping my arms around her like I used to when we were

younger

“Lilian?” she mumbled sleepily.

“It’s me. Go back to sleep.”

“Hmmm.. was all she managed before drifting off again.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about Grayson or the mess I had somehow found myself in. But the more I tried to push i The morning sun was ruthless, its rays piercing through the curtains and landing right on my face. I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head “Wake up!” Isabella’s voice broke through my sleep-induced haze “There’s a lot to be done today!”

I grumbled something incoherent, refusing to emerge from my cocoon of blankets. “Fifty seven more minutes…”

She laughed, “You are so weird. Normal people say five more minutes now come on! Get up!” She yanked the covers off of me with a dram “Ugh!” I groaned louder, curling into a ball. “I don’t want to!”

She wasn’t listening. She was already pacingnoveldrama

around the room like a woman on a mission. “I’ve been up for hours. Jameson helped me make some calls and there was an ad put out, an

That jolted me awake. Ishot gap in bed, my eyes wide. “Wait, what Why didn’t you lead with that

She just grinned, clearly pleased with herself. “Because I knew i get you out of bed”

I was fully awake now, and reality came crashing in like a tidal wave. “Oh my Goddess, what am I going to wear? I didn’t pack anything for Panic started bubbling up inside me. I hadn’t brought anything permotely appropriate for an interview. Sure, I had the name, skills and quali “I need to look the part, Isabella. It doesn’t matter who I am or what my name is. They’re not going to hire me if I show up looking like I’ve b Isabella just rolled her eyes at my dramatic outburst and smiled in that knowing way of hers. “You haven’t seen you?”

“Seen what?” I blinked at her, completely confused.

yer have

Without another word, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the corner of the room. I followed, half-

expecting her to reveal some kind of magic trick. Then, she swung open the door to a walk-in

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