The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 29

-Grayson’s POV-

Little Dove?

What kind of ridiculous nickname was that? And more importantly, why was she so familiar with the uncle of the man who’d abused her? Th I’d done my research on Dylan who had just walked in when I had deemed him worthy enough to align with and when I first met Ava, I neve

1. it.

Dylan’s eyes locked onto Ava as soon as he walked in, hardening with every step he took toward her. But I had to give her credit— she didn’t cower or flinch. No, she glared right back, full of fire, while the woman glued to his side-

the same one he’d cheated on Ava with-smirked like she’d won the damn lottery,

I wrapped my arm around Ava’s waist, pulling her closer. “The entrance is

getting a little crowded with desperation. Let’s go inside.”

Damien chackled softly, then quickly covered it with a cough. My dislike for him ticked down a notch. Maybe he wasn’t

as insufferable as the rest of them. As I guided Ava away, I didn’t miss the way the mistress’s smile faltered, her confidence crumbling.

Ava groaned beside me, clearly feeling the tension too. “Why is the universe doing this to me?” she muttered, shaking her head.

“Maybe it’s because you agreed to let someone call you Little Dove.”

She laughed. “You have a split personality, you know that? One minute you’re scowling like you want to burn the whole room down backing over there.” Her lips twisted as she glanced

toward Crystal. “Other than that, try not to look like you’re planning everyone’s demise.”

A smile tugged at my lips, despite myself. Before I could respond, a waiter approached with a tray of champagne flutes. Ava grabbed two gla “Don’t judge me,” she said, looking up at me with a sheepish grin. “With the people in this room? There’s no way I’m getting through the nigl

I couldn’t help it-my smile widened. I wasn’t used to smiling this much.

Or at all, really. Her expression shifted, like she was momentarily stunned, but I turned away before she could call me out on it.

“Come on,” I cleared my throat. “Let’s find our seats.”

I led her toward the table that had been set aside for me. Fairy lights hung delicately above, giving the place a soft, romantic glow. It was obvious Rickon had gone overboard with the decorations-

likely a subtle attempt to get under my skin. The overly sentimental display was ridiculous, but Ava giggled beside me.

“It’s so pretty,” she laughed, pulling me toward the seat next to her.

We sat, and as soon as we did, I felt the weight of the room’s stares. It wasn’t subtle. People’s eyes tracked our every move, most of them z It was irritating.

Ava

noticed it too, her posture stiffening slightly as I spoke before their judgment settled on her, “The first time I attended a social event like this

now that I should have gone through with it so all this irritating taring could have been avoided.”

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Ava’s lips twitched, understanding the unspoken message. “What about the ones who didn’t attend that event?” she asked, playing along. “Then this would have been the second round of eye removal.”

Her grin spread, and she lifted the drink in front of her. “Thank you,” she whispered softly, a little more at ease.

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