The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171 

Chapter 171 

-Grayson’s POV-. 

‘Lie 

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The voice in my head was quiet but insistent, and so I did. Not because it was noble or just, but because the truth would do more harm than good. I couldn’t tell Ava about the sister she never knew she had, the one taken at birth. I couldn’t tell her that that sister was my fated mate–the key to breaking the curse because I knew her too well. 

Ava would never let it go. She’d dig, question, and fight until the truth unraveled everything we had. I lied to protect her, to protect what we’d built. And yet, despite her belief in my words, she had gone completely silent the moment we got into the 

car. 

“Are you okay?” I asked, breaking the thick silence. 

She jumped slightly at the sound of my voice, turning her head from the window she had been staring out of. Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, she replied, “Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about what you told me. So, my ancestors really turned away your ancestor, the one who started the curse?” 

If my wolf were present, I knew he’d growl in disapproval at the lie I had told her–and.the further twisting of it now. But I couldn’t help it. I really didn’t like her family so any chance to paint them as bad, I would take it, and their absurd way of “helping” had led to even greater tragedy. 

“I guess there were a lot of Luthers and Evelyn Pierces back then I said, attempting a lighthearted joke. 

She sighed instead, her expression darkening. “So my family was awful even back then. Sometimes I wish…” Her voice trailed off, and she hesitated. “Sometimes I wish I’d been born into a completely different life.” 

I didn’t know how to respond. Sixteen years ago, I had made that same wish countless times–to be free of the burdens of the throne, and the unrelenting expectations. So I didn’t respond with words. Instead, I reached over, threading my fingers through hers and holding her hand as I kept my eyes on the road. 

It was Saturday, which meant we only had today and tomorrow before she had to return to work, and I had to immerse myself in meetings that would undoubtedly drive me mad. The thought of losing this quiet time with her, however heavy it felt now, pushed me to steer the conversation in a different direction. 

“What do you want to do today?” I asked. 

She let out a long breath, her exhaustion evident. “Honestly? I was looking forward to staying in bed all day, but Isabella had to ruin that. And now I’m starving because I never got to eat lunch yesterday. Oh, and I’m pretty sure you helped my body burn off dinner in record time.” She laughed softly at the last part. 

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Okay,” I said, “then we’ll get food. What do you feel like eating?” 

She rubbed her stomach dramatically. “Anything and everything” she declared. “I could eat for two people right now.” 

I stilled, my hands tightening on the steering wheel. The words shouldn’t have meant anything–they were just a figure of speech–but something about the way she said them made me freeze. 

Noticing my reaction, Ava laughed nervously. “It’s just a saying,” she assured me quickly. “I’m not pregnant. I’ve been taking pills to make sure it stays that way.” 

Her words settled uneasily in my chest, guilt creeping in. We hadn’t revisited the conversation about children since I had 

11:18 Sun, Jan zo 

Chapter 171 

told her I didn’t want them. So much had happened since then, and even now, as I thought about it again, I couldn’t bring myself to change my stance. Not even after Liam’s pointed comments about needing an heir. 

Ava shifted in her seat, breaking the silence as she glanced out the window. “What’s going on there?” she asked, pointing ahead. 

I followed her gaze to see a crowd of people streaming into what looked like a carnival. Bright lights and colorful tents dotted the area, music and laughter filtering faintly through the closed windows. 

Her energy shifted almost instantly, her posture straightening, and her body practically buzzing with excitement. “No,” I said firmly, anticipating her next words. “We’re not going in there. We’re getting food and heading home.” 

She sighed dramatically, her lips forming into a pout that she knew was my weakness. “My parents never let me go to carnivals as a child plus there will be food in there,” she murmured, her tone dripping with faux sadness. 

I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. “That was low, Ava,” I said, but my grip on the wheel relaxed, and I turned the car toward the entrance. The grin she shot me was worth every bit of exasperation I felt. 

The moment we stepped out of the car, the sounds, smells, and energy of the carnival enveloped us. The scent of fried food mingled with the sweet aroma of cotton candy, and children’s laughter rang out as they darted between games and rides. 

Ava’s eyes lit up as she took it all in, her excitement palpable. She grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the nearest food stand. 

“thought you were hungry,” I teased as she stopped to stare at a row of oversized stuffed animals hanging as prizes. 

“I am,” she said, her gaze fixated on a giant white wolf plush. “But look at that!” 

I followed her gaze, a small chuckle escaping me. “Do you want it?” 

She nodded eagerly, and before she could protest, I was stepping up to the booth. The game was a simple ring toss, but the odds were clearly stacked against the players. Still, I wasn’t about to let that stop me. 

The vendor handed me the rings with a knowing smirk, clearly expecting me to fail. But after a few well–aimed throws, the smirk vanished, replaced by a look of surprise as I landed the final ring perfectly. 

“Pick your prize,” he said reluctantly. 

Ava clapped excitedly as I grabbed the white wolf plush and handed it to her. She hugged it to her chest, beaming up at me. “Thank you!” 

The next moment, she grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the food stand, I found myself just following her because if I didn’t want too, she wouldn’t be able to move me otherwise. 

When we reached the stand, she pointed at the steaming array of food on display. “I want that one,” she said with a grin, tapping the glass over a pile of fried dumplings that looked as though they’d been sitting out for hours. 

I stared at the food, my face contorting in unconcealed disgust. I’m not eating anything from here,” I muttered, taking a step back. 

Ava frowned and turned to face me, her hands on her hips. “What do you mean you’re not eating? You can’t say no to street food–it’s part of the experience!” 

I sighed, my tone calm but firm. “Ava, I don’t eat street food. It’s unhygienic. Who knows how long that stuff has been sitting 

11:18 Sun, Jan 26 

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