The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 71

-Ava’s POV-

“Are you nervous?” Maria asked, placing a few materials on the table in front of her with a calm, practiced ease.

I hesitated, my eyes on her hands as she worked. “I don’t know, replied finally, trying to keep my voice steady. “I don’t know if I’m nervous o really hard sometimes-

I’ve learned to live with it. I don’t want to let myself hope too much only to be disappointed.”

Maria nodded, an understanding glint in her eyes as she arranged the items carefully. The silence stretched for a moment, broken only by th it was written all over his face even though he tried to mask it.

A chill ran down my spine. Whoever was behind the deaths was just killing randomly; they were going after Alphas. And if this was about po well, then the one with the greatest power of all-the Alpha King-

was at risk. Grayson was a potential target. And if I let myself think too hard, I’d realize my father was, too. A powerful Alpha in his own right

I forced myself to shove the thought away, willing myself to focus on what was in front of me. Maria had nearly finished setting up when she I swallowed, feeling a mixture of excitement and dread twist in my stomach. “What do I do?”

“Give me your hand,” she said softly.

I held out my hand, and she took it, her fingers warm and steady against mine as she closed her eyes. Her lips began to move in a low mur inside me—warm, buzzing, as though something ancient was stirring just beneath the surface

For a few moments, I let myself hope, feeling the magic work its way through me. My pulse quickened, and I thought maybe, just maybe, it Then…nothing.

The warmth faded. The tingling stopped. I was left in silence, feeling empty and almost hollow.

Maria blinked her eyes open, her brow furrowed. “Something’s blocking the spell,” she said, frowning as if she hadn’t expected that outcome I felt a knot of frustration twist inside me. “You mean someone casting a spell right now to stop this one!”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Aren’t you adorable? No, it’s not someone else. Something inside you is blocking it The magic can’t even 1 blinked, trying to make sense of it. “When I felt her the first time well, it was like..she warthiere in my head. And then I heard her say, ‘Find Maria’s face softened in thought, her gaze thoughtful. “She asked you to find her..interesting. She paused, her fingers tapping lightly on the about thi the wrong way. The spell isn’t working because we’re trying to force her out. But she wants you to come to her. You heard her voic

I took a sharp breath, processing what that meant. “You mean..that possible?”

“It is,” she nodded, eyes scanning my face. “I can put you into a deep enough trance, one that could let you cross into your

subconscious. That way you might have a chance to find her.” She hesitated,

glancing toward the door where Grayson had disappeared. “But this kind of spell…..

it’s not entirely safe. We should probably talk to Grayson about it first before-

“No.” I cut in quickly, my voice stronger than I’d expected. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but if Grayson knows there’s even the slightes

Maria watched me closely, her expression torn for a moment before she nodded in

understanding. “Alright. I’ll need to prepare a few more things. Let’s head to the back- there’s a space I can use.”

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