The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson)

-Ava's POV-

I was going to stab someone. Correction: I was

going to stab Grayson. As if the pressure of planning a wedding on such short notice wasn't enough, he'd just hijacked the entire thing and

Tomorrow.

"Lilian, for the hundredth time, stop pacing." Isabella's voice cut through my haze of anger. "You're making my wolf anxious with all that stom I halted, spinning on my heel. “I'm not calling him. If he wants to change the wedding date without asking me then I'm not going for the wed "I know you're pissed-"

"Oh, I'm beyond pissed, Bels,” I interrupted, the frustration spilling out of me. "I'm furious. Who the hell does he think he is?”

“The all-powerful Alpha King?” Isabella shrugged with a small smirk.

I shot her a glare, and she put her hands up in surrender. “Alright, bad timing for a joke. But seriously, Lilian, you have to go through with thi I exhaled heavily, rubbing my temples. “I know that, Bels, I do. But he sprung this whole wedding idea on me without a word. We had an agr Isabella grinned mischievously. "So you do want to marry him tomorrow?"

"One more stupid joke and I'll punch you."

She laughed. "Alright, alright. Seriously though, he's taking over the plans and arranging everything by

tomorrow, so that saves you a lot of stress and he's mega rich, whatever he does will be grand so big wedding: check. All you really have to

Her phone chimed suddenly, and she glanced down at the screen. “Speaking of dresses, Eliza just texted. Apparently, Grayson commande She looked back at me, her eyebrows raised. “Actually, she's practically begging you to come pick it out before she has a meltdown."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Fine, tell her to send the location. I need to make a call first.”

over her screen as I dialed the one person who felt like real family apart from Isabella. Damien picked Isabella's fingers flew

his voice warm. "You know I was just thinking of my favorite person in the world and she calls." up on the first rin

I couldn't help but smile. “Hi, Uncle Damien. I don't have much time, but I need a big favor. The wedding is happening tomorrow, and I was I

A pause, then his voice softened. “Of course, little dove. It would be my honor. I'd drop everything just for you.”

A warmth filled me, easing some of the tension in my chest. "Thank you, Uncle Damien. I'll text you the details. I wouldn't want anyone else

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As I made to end the

call, he hesitated. "Are you sure you don't want to reach out to your parents? It's your wedding. They're still your family, no matter what. The

I bit my lip. "I wish I could believe that, Uncle. But no. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you."

“Love you too, my little dove,” he replied, and I ended the call with a sigh.noveldrama

Isabella nudged me. "So, Damien's in?"

"Yeah.” I took a steadying breath. "Do you have the location?”

The excitement in her eyes was unmistakable. "Yes! Let's go find you a dress." She grabbed her purse, practically bouncing. “I never got to

A laugh escaped me. I grabbed her hand as we headed out, grateful to have her by my side.

Eliza was waiting at the boutique, pacing near the entrance and looking ready to explode with nerves. As soon as

she spotted us, she waved us over, a relieved smile breaking through the stress.

"Oh, thank god you're here!" She greeted me with a quick hug. "It's so good to see you again! I just wish it wasn't under Grayson's ridiculou Isabella pulled her into a hug, too, and they laughed like old friends. Eliza glanced at me, looking frazzled. “We have so much to do, and I'm She practically dragged us inside, leading us through rows of gowns. I turned to Isabella with a small smile. “I haven't officially asked you thi She laughed, “You are such a weirdo. Of course! It'd be an honor”

I glanced at Eliza, catching her eye. “And since having only one bridesmaid might be a little odd..... would you be my other one?”

Eliza's eyes lit up, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Are you kidding? I'd be honored. Just let me survive today, and I'll be right there w As we chatted, a boutique assistant approached, eyeing us with a professional

smile. “How can I help you ladies today?” Eliza straightened, her demeanor all business. “I already called ahead. We're here under the Blac The assistant's expression shifted instantly, respect and recognition in her

eyes as she looked at me. "Who is the bride?"

I raised my hand with an awkward smile, and she gave me a look like I was some kind of

royalty. “Right this We'll get you sorted with the best we have.”

way, ma'am.

Without missing a beat, Isabella grabbed my hand, practically dragging me down the aisle toward the racks of dresses. We were ushered in Eliza clapped her hands together, her eyes wide with excitement. "Alright, let's find the perfect one. With Grayson pulling all the strings, we I rolled my eyes,

but I couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement. As much as I'd been thrown off by the sudden change, there was something undeniably thr

I tried on dress after dress, each one more elaborate

than the last Isabella kept snapping photos, offering commentary on each one with her usual sarcasm. Eliza, despite her earlier frazzled sta veils, fluffing skirts, and giving feedback while still swiping across her phone like a pro.

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Then, I stepped into the last dress: a sleek, classic gown that fit like a

dream. It was simple but elegant, with just enough detail to make it feel special without going overboard. Isabella and Eliza both fell silent as

Eliza finally broke the silence, her voice soft. "That's the one."

Isabella nodded, her smile turning warm. "Yeah. That's definitely it."

I looked at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. For a fleeting

moment, I allowed myself to imagine walking down the aisle in this dress, feeling almost like the bride I always dreamed I could be. This felt "I'm very sorry, but you cannot have that dress. It's already been paid for."

I turned, along with Isabella and Eliza, to see an older woman standing by the doorway, dressed with a level of sophistication that suggeste “Madam Raquel, the dress was on-❞

One withering glance from the woman cut her off. She turned to me, her smile now a forced display of civility. "I apologize for this misunders standing client reserved that dress, and I must respect her claim. All payments have been made in full.”

"That's a load of bullshit," Isabella snapped.

Before anyone could say anything else, the door swung open behind us. A tall, familiar figure entered the room, casting a long shadow that Isabella's glare hardened as she muttered under her breath, “You have got to be kidding me.”

Madam Raquel's entire demeanor changed as she lit up with genuine warmth, "I'm so glad

you could make it. I was just explaining to her that the dress is already spoken for."

She turned back to me, her eyes now colder, as if the niceties had been disposed of entirely. "Please, take off my daughter's dress."

The shock hit me like a punch to the gut. My mind reeled as Isabella echoed my thoughts aloud. "What?"

And then, as if on cue, she stepped forward, a smug smile on her face, standing beside her mother, the picture of triumphant pettiness. Monica's smile widened, taunting, enjoying every second. "You heard my mother, Ava. Take off my dress."

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