Chapter 62

Grayson’s POV

I arrived at the office as early as possible the next morning, forcing myself to suppress the anger simmering beneath the surface. My wolf clawed for revenge, eager to strike, but I knew this wasn't the time. This needed calculation, not blind rage.

Eliza was already at her desk when I walked in. She didn't flinch or act differently as she rattled off the updates I needed. She didn't even bat an eye, despite the faint smell of alcohol clinging to her from the previous night's escapades. I had to admit, she was proving efficient—maybe even someone who'd stick around for a while.

Good for her.

I threw myself into work, but the urge to address what I'd been ignoring gnawed at the back of my mind. The tapes Carter sent were waiting at the mansion. I'd told him to send them there to avoid distractions during work hours, but my mind kept drifting back to them, making it harder to resist with each passing hour. Finally, I gave in, packed up, and headed home.

The mansion was quiet when I arrived—almost too quiet, as if holding its breath. My staff went about their tasks, but an unnatural stillness pricked at me as I made my way to the study, where the tapes waited.

Just as I reached the study, a muffled sound from the sitting room stopped me. I turned and followed the sound, irritation sparking. My eyes narrowed when I saw Elaine seated before the TV, which she quickly switched off upon sensing my presence. She fumbled with the remote, her face paling as she looked up, panic flashing in her eyes.

I cut her off before she could speak. "I told you not to watch that here."

My voice was colder than intended, and she flinched. "I didn't know you'd be back so early."

I forced myself to breathe, softening my tone slightly. "I had an entire home theater built for you, Elaine. If you need to watch it, do so there. Away from me. Understand?"

She nodded, casting her gaze down. For a moment, something inside me cracked. Against my usual restraint, I reached out, surprising myself. "Come here."

Her eyes flashed with surprise. She hesitated, then stepped forward, slipping into my arms. She rested her head against my chest, and I counted the seconds, giving her the comfort she seemed to crave, until she pulled away first, murmuring a quiet, "Thank you," before gathering her things and leaving the room.

I stared at the blank TV screen, the echo of her presence lingering. Part of me knew it was selfish to treat Elaine the way I sometimes did—offering moments of warmth when I was the one who'd darkened her world. She was broken because of me.

When my world became unbearable, I liked to imagine what we would have been like in an alternate universe. Maybe she would have grown up happy instead of needing therapy, which I think harmed her more than it helped. And maybe, if I hadn't been born with the burden of a throne my father obsessed over, I could have been happy.

Normal and happy.

Not living in a world where I had to shut out everyone and everything because the darkness had festered into something uncontrollable, destroying everything good that crossed my path. And, right now, I wondered if I would have met her.

I hated how much my thoughts always drifted to her.

I shook off the thought, reaching for my phone. I sent a quick text, hoping the outcome would ease the ache gnawing at me. With a sigh, I headed to the study, preparing myself for what I knew how to do: get revenge, spill blood, and murder.

Hours blurred as I watched the tapes. Person after person appeared on screen, interacting with the drinks, but none placed anything suspicious in them. Frustration boiled within me, and I was on the verge of giving up when a knock echoed from the door.

I didn't need to see her to know who it was. My wolf tensed, growling low—a warning I ignored. "Come in," I said, my voice steady and cold.

The door creaked open, and she entered, her presence filling the room like a gust of wind. She looked at me, the hesitation in her eyes quickly masked.

"You asked to see me?"

"Sit down."

She moved slowly, each step reminding me of the first time she'd walked into this room, when I'd offered her that damned contract. If I'd been smarter, I never would have let things get this far.

"The contract will continue as agreed. After the year is up, we'll go our separate ways, as planned," I said, keeping my tone curt and detached. The words were rehearsed, each one a nail in the coffin of any foolish sentimentality.

Her face betrayed a flash of pain, but she quickly masked it, nodding. "Okay."

She started to rise, but I stopped her. "Wait."

She sat back down, her expression a mix of anger and hurt, though she stayed silent.

"From now on, I only need you to play the role of Luna publicly. When your presence is required, I'll let you know, and we'll attend events together. But beyond that, there's no reason for us to interact. The other parts of the contract—your assistance—are no longer needed. You're free to stay here until the year ends, but that's it. You may go."

She looked like she wanted to speak, her lips parting, but she closed them again, casting one last look at me before rising. She was nearly at the door when she stopped, turning to face me, eyes blazing.

"Do you get some sort of sick satisfaction out of being this cold?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Ava, just leave."

"No. I'm not just leaving." Her voice cracked, then sharpened, her frustration pouring out. "If you were just going to do this, why did you even offer me the contract in the first place? No, don't answer that. Better yet, why even go through with the wedding?"

I held her gaze, refusing to answer, and the silence fueled her rage.

"And now, suddenly, you don't need me to treat your erectile dysfunction anymore? What, were you miraculously cured overnight?" At least she said the words aloud.

She laughed bitterly. "Or maybe you never had a problem at all, did you? Every time I tried to talk about treatments, you shut me down. Was this your plan all along? Toying with me? Is this some kind of twisted game to you?"

She let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "You know what? I'm done. I signed that contract because I was desperate, trying to escape a life that was killing me, and I hadn't thought things through. But I don't need your money, and I don't need your games. Find someone else to play your pretend trophy Luna because I won't. And screw you. I hope you rot in hell."

She stormed out, the door slamming shut, and the silence that followed was deafening. I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes, feeling the hollowness settle deep inside me, an ache I couldn't shake.

I don't know how I stayed like that until another knock came. I knew it wasn't her, so I sat forward, raising my defenses. "Come in."

One of my top guards stepped in and bowed his head. "Alpha."

"What is it?"

"I should inform you that your Luna," he hesitated, "is leaving. With a number of suitcases."

I blinked. My wolf growled, urging me to stop her, but I sat still. Then I looked up at him, saying the words that would save her from me before I ruined her.

"Let her go."

Chapter 63

Ava’s POV

Screw him.