The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 9

-Ava’s POV

“So, you told your father in screw himself, and you just walked our?” Isabella’s voice was practically vibrating with excitement as she leaned

I let out a groan, trying to keep my cool as I looked up from my half-

eaten sandwich For like the tenth time, Bels, I didn’t tell him to screw himself. I just told him I wasn’t going back to Dylan, and stop asking m

Isabella ignored me completely, as she often did when she was verly excited. “I just had to be sure!” she squealed, bouncing in her chair like “Lalian, do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment? You lindly told your dad to suck it! Well, maybe not both your parents, but

I pushed her off with a half-laugh, shaking my head. “You’re so dramatic

But even as I laughed, I couldn’t help the wave of relief that washed over me again. I hadn’t realized how much weight I was carrying until th kind of peace I hadn’t known in years.

I was supposed to head straight back to Grayson’s mansion after seeing my dad, but when Isabella bombarded me with texts demanding Ir though I hadn’t told her the full truth. She didn’t know about Grayson. She didn’t know about the deal I’d made to be his Contracted Luna.

No one did, not yet. The official announcement hadn’t been made but she was my best friend and I didn’t want her to hear it when the rest o “There’s something else I need to tell you. It’s about-”

My words were cut off as a waitress approached our table, holding a drink in her hand. “Sorry to bother you, but those two men over there s I opened my mouth to politely turn it down, but before I could ay a word, Isabella shot the waitress a glare. “She’s not interested. And if she The waitress flinched at Isabella’s tone, her forced smile barely holding as she scurried away. I turned to Isabella, raising an eyebrow. You didn’t have to be mean about it,” I said softly.

She shrugged, unapologetic. I know, but remember the last time something like this happened? You accepted the drink, gave him an openin

I flinched, the memory burning like an old wound reopening. “Be had drugged it and I almost got raped”

“Exactly,” she said, her voice steely. “As your best friend, it’s my duty to protect you. Now, what were you going to say?“

1 barely had a chance to gather my thoughts before the two men from across the room slid up to our table, completely ignoring Isabella’s re back hair and an air of arrogance that was practically choking. leaned on the edge of the table. His smirk was slimy, and I immediately tense “Hey, sweetheart,” he drawled. “What’s with the cold shoulder? Just wanted to buy a pretty lady a drink.”

“I already told you, she’s not interested. Isabella snapped, her eyes blazing

The second guy, shorter but stockier, stepped in closer, crossing his arms like he was waiting for a fight, “I thin

an

III

Chapter

speak for herself,” he drawled, eyes locking on mine with a challenge

My pulse quickened, an uncomfortable knot

forming in my stomach. “I’m really not interested,” I replied, trying to keep my voice calm but firm “Please, just go back to your table. But they didn’t budge.

The taller one reached out, fingers grazing my arm in a way that sent a shiver of disgust through me. “Come on, no need to play hard to get Everything happened so fast after that.

Isabella was out of her seat in a flash, her list connecting with the guy’s jaw before I even had time to process it. “Don’t touch her she spat, s The guy staggered back, clutching his face, anger twisting his features. “You crazy bitch” he growled.

“Get lost before you regret it, Isabella warned, her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.

The second guy, his friend, lunged forward, ready to retaliate.

It all happened so fast after that. Before either of us could move, the taller guy grabbed a chair and swung it at Isabella. She ducked, but the Tue!”

The scream barely registered through the chaos. The moment the chair had flown across the room and knocked over the candles, everythin “Come on, Lilian, we need to get out of here!” Isabella grabbed my hand, her grip firm as she tugged me through the thickening smoke. Her We were so close to the exit. The cool air outside seemed within reach when, out of nowhere, I was yanked backward with sharp, jarring for “Lilian!” I heard Isabella scream, her voice panicked as she called for me through the chaos.

I barely had time to react before the taller guy from earlier was towering over me, his hand tightening in my hair as he dragged me closer to My heart raced in my chest, panic flooding through me as I struggled to push him off. He was stronger-

so much stronger- and fueled by something darker than just the fire that was spreading around us.

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