CHAPTER 3

~Ava's POV~

The man who had brought Dylan returned the moment Alpha Grayson disappeared from the room, not giving me a chance to process the words, his stern face giving nothing away. "Alpha Grayson doesn't appreciate his time being wasted. Grab your essentials. We are leaving. Now."

My feet moved on autopilot, the urgency in his tone propelling me forward. I glanced one last time at Dylan, who stared at me with a fury that could have set the room ablaze. I could feel his hatred, but I had no time for it. I turned away and raced up the stairs, my heart pounding with each step.

I unlocked the door which was meant to keep me in, throwing it open, the room was a blur of disarray as I grabbed whatever I could-clothes, a few mementos, and anything else I might need.

My mind was spinning.

I wasn't just packing up my belongings; I was about to drop my entire life behind and step into the unknown with a man I didn't know.

Every fiber of my being wanted to pause, to consider my next move carefully, but there was no time. I had to leave Dylan and his world of superficial perfection behind. I could deal with my parents' disappointment later. For now, I was running toward something, or rather someone, who commanded respect from every Alpha.

The bag felt heavy in my hand as I dashed out of the mansion, my breath coming in sharp gasps, and into the waiting convoy. I didn't look back. The only thing that mattered was getting as far from Dylan and his pack as possible.

I had never even felt like I belonged.

As the car sped away, the world outside became a hazy blur of lights and shadows. My heart raced, not just from the speed but from the anticipation of what lay ahead. The car finally slowed as we approached the gates of a grand estate, and my breath caught in my throat.

I had no idea that he lived in the same city.

The mansion was breathtaking-more opulent than I could have imagined, even in my wildest dreams. The car came to a stop, and the door was opened by a man in a perfectly tailored suit, his eyes blank, "The Alpha King wants to see you in his study."

I nodded numbly, two questions going through my mind.

Did no one smile around here?

And how did Alpha Grayson get in his study so fast?

The scent that hit me the momernt I stepped into the study was a blend of chocolate and rosewood, rich and intoxicating. It stirred something primal within me, making my wolf stir restlessly.

Then I saw him.

He sat behind a large, imposing desk, his gray eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my knees weak. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before he calmly drawled, "Sit down, Ava."

The command was simple, but there was something in his tone that made it impossible to refuse. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart, and sank into the chair opposite him.

His gaze never wavered, and a small, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.

"How did you know my name?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

The smile widened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. He didn't answer the question forcing me to take another deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. "What do you plan to do with me?"

His eyebrow quirked, a touch of amusement in his eyes. "Do with you how?" he asked, his voice dripping with a suggestive undertone that made my breath hitch.

He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed yet commanding. "Your parents are the best medical practitioners on paper in the country. Is this true in reality and did you inherit any of their skills?"

The question was completely unexpected, leaving me momentarily stunned. I didn't answer, my mind racing. How did he know about my parents?

He seemed to sense my confusion. "I came to inspect Dylan's pack due to the alliance. I like to be well-informed about the people I align myself with. That's how I knew your name. I know you everything there is to know about you, Ava."

Ava.

My name had never sounded more perfect in my ears.

I saw his eyes flicker with irritation at my silence and I felt a shiver run down my spine under his intense gaze. "I'm sorry," I finally managed, my voice trembling. "I didn't mean to stay silent."

Alpha Grayson let out a sigh, more tired than irritated. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing back the strands that had fallen into his eyes, but they simply fell back into place. The movement was both casual and commanding, and it only made his striking features more pronounced.

His jawline was sharp, his eyes a piercing gray that seemed to see right through me, and his beautiful lips were set in a firm, disinterested line. I felt my cheeks flush, the heat rising as I forced myself to look away and focus on my trembling fingers.

He was too beautiful for this world,

The silence stretched, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. It was uncomfortable and with another sigh, he broke the silence, "You still haven' t answered my question."

His question?

I snapped back to reality, remembering his earlier query. "Yes," I rushed out, "my parents are indeed the best in the country. They taught me their skills, but Dylan he made me stop. I had to become his trophy Luna."

Alpha Grayson nodded slowly, as if processing the information. He reached for a document that had been sitting in front of him, unnoticed until now. His hand brushed mine as he passed it to me, and the contact sent a jolt through me that I wasn't prepared for.

I quickly pulled my hand back, trying to steady my breath.

The document trembled slightly in my hands as I tried to regain my composure but before I could even glance at it, his next words hit me like a lightning bolt, leaving me momentarily stunned.

"I want you to be my contracted Luna."