Chapter 4

-Ava’s POV-

“What?” The word exploded from my mouth before I could stop it. I shot to my feet so fast that my chair crashed to the floor. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat louder than the last, as I struggled to process Alpha Grayson’s words.

The nerve—the absolute nerve of this man.

“How dare you?” My voice trembled, anger choking me. “Do you think I’m some kind of cheap woman just because—”

The words caught in my throat. I turned away, clenching my fists. “I should have known… You’re all the same.” My voice wavered, but I forced the words out. “Thanks for saving me from Dylan, but I’m out of here.”

I started to walk away, but his voice cut through the room like a blade—calm, edged with irritation. “Ava.”

I stopped, the sound of my name hanging in the air. It wasn’t just how he said it; it was how it seeped into my bones, commanding me to freeze. He didn’t raise his voice, yet the authority in his tone was undeniable.

“Turn around and sit down.”

I didn’t move. I didn’t trust myself to look at him. Then he said it again, this time with a tone that sent shivers down my spine. “Ava. Turn around, pick up the chair, and sit down.”

My body moved before my mind could catch up. I found myself turning, bending to lift the chair, and sitting back down, as if his words were a spell I couldn’t break. My heart still raced, my cheeks burned, but I forced myself to look at him.

His eyes were on me, a mixture of boredom and something else I couldn’t quite place. He let out a small sigh, his expression barely changing. “The past few hours have led me to believe you’re a smart woman,” he said, his tone almost casual. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t change that perception.”

His words stung more than they should have, and I looked away, unable to meet the intensity of his gaze.

What the hell was happening here? Why did he make me feel like every emotion I had was on the verge of boiling over?

“I’m not asking you to be my mistress,” he continued, his voice even, unbothered by the chaos he’d unleashed in my mind. “And I most certainly do not have any intentions of sleeping with you.”

My head snapped up. My entire body heated at the bluntness of his words. The room felt too small, the air too thick, and I struggled to breathe.

“Then why the offer?” I blurted out, hating how desperate and confused I sounded. There was no way this man could say things like that and not expect a reaction.

His gaze never wavered. “Two reasons,” he sighed, as if discussing the most mundane topic. “First, it will get the high-ranking members off my back about being mated.” His eyes narrowed slightly, and I could feel the weight of his stare. “Second, I’ll need your medical expertise for something.”

Chapter 4 (continued)

I waited for him to continue, but he didn’t. The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. My mind raced, trying to piece together what he wasn’t saying. Why did he need my medical expertise of all people?

Then he broke the silence with a single, devastating statement. “I have a problem with my erection. I can’t get hard.”

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. I was too stunned, too shocked to form any coherent thoughts. He had said it so casually, as if he were talking about the weather, without a trace of embarrassment.

I opened my mouth to speak when he continued, “A witch said it’s connected to a curse, but I don’t believe in all that bullshit.” He paused, watching me. “I know it can be fixed, and that’s why you’re here, Ava. I need you to treat me.”

My cheeks flushed, my heart skipped a beat. For a moment, all I could do was stare at him in disbelief. My mind reeled, caught between wanting to laugh at the absurdity of it all and being completely mortified.

He rose to his feet, and my eyes, almost against my will, flickered down to his trousers—specifically that area. I immediately regretted it when I saw the faint curve of a smile on his lips. He’d caught me staring. I shrank back, my face flaming with embarrassment.

“I—I didn’t mean—” I stammered, tripping over my words. What was wrong with me? I should be used to this in my profession. Why then was I falling apart?

“Ava,” he sighed softly, so softly that it forced me to meet his eyes again. His voice was like a caress, gentle but commanding. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed because I’m not…”

He turned, walking towards the window of his study with a calmness that felt surreal given our conversation. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, the confidence in every step. He didn’t need to say anything to own the room; he just did.

He continued, his back still to me, not a trace of embarrassment in his voice. “I know I’m asking a lot of you. I understand you’ll find this situation awkward, but I don’t plan on giving you nothing in return.”

He turned back to look at me, and I swear my lungs stopped working. A moment ago, I was breathing fine; now the air felt too thick, too heavy. He was giving me that look, the one that made me feel like he could see right through me, past all the walls I’d tried to build.

“If you had looked over the contract instead of jumping to conclusions, you would have seen that it’s just for a year. After that, I’ll give you enough money to start over, anywhere in the world you choose.”

The words took a moment to register. Anywhere in the world. I could be my own person, do whatever I wanted. No more pretending, no more perfect Ava.

“So, I would be your Luna only for show?” My voice trembled. “And I have to treat your…”

“Erectile dysfunction,” he finished for me, the corners of his lips curving into that same seductive smile that made my face burn even hotter. He wasn’t even a little bit ashamed. I wished I could say the same.

“What if it doesn’t work?” I whispered.

He moved towards me, keeping a remarkable distance between us. I was still sitting, and the difference in our heights made his presence overwhelming, engulfing me completely. My skin prickled with a strange, pleasurable heat, and just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, he stopped.

The smile was still there, making me resent the effect it had on me. “I guess we will never know until we try.”

“And if I refuse!” I asked, trying to sound defiant, but my voice wavered.

He didn’t answer, just stared at me with a sudden blank expression that gave nothing away. The silence stretched, heavy and tense, until I couldn’t take it anymore.

“So, it will be only transactional?” I finally sighed, the words tumbling out in a rush.

His smile returned, then morphed into a smirk. “There will be no love between us, Ava.”

The way he said my name sent a jolt through me, like actual fire coursing through my veins. I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure.

“Just for a year,” I said, more to myself than to him.

Something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone before I could figure out what it was. He nodded once, a simple, final gesture.

I turned my attention to the document that had fallen to the floor earlier. My hands were shaky as I picked it up, my mind racing. I know I should read it, but something told me Grayson Blackwood didn’t waste his time on lies. He didn’t need to. Taking a deep breath, I picked up the pen on the table—which looked like it had magically appeared.

With one last look at the pair of gray eyes that I somehow knew would be my undoing, I signed the contract.