Chapter 70

Ava’s POV

This wasn’t how I’d expected my week to end. When I signed those divorce papers, I truly believed it was over. But here I was, replaying the words of that letter in my head. Fifty-two times. That’s how many times I’d read it between last night and this morning before Grayson showed up to bring me back. I knew him well enough to realize he wouldn’t want to discuss it, but it lingered in my mind.

I wondered what he had done that could have been so horrible that he felt the need to seal off his emotions. I wondered how truly terrible his childhood must have been growing up with a physically abusive father. I wondered if Elaine was the little cousin he mentioned, and where his mother might have been through all of it.

Now, as I sat silently in the car while he drove me to Maria’s—to see if I could unlock my wolf—a million questions swirled in my mind, and I knew I had to keep them to myself. I couldn’t imagine how hard it must have been for him to write those words, so I wasn’t going to push. There was so much left unspoken between us, but for now, I’d be grateful for what he had shared.

The car was quiet, though there was a new, unspoken comfort in the silence. I reached for the radio, hoping music might calm the whirling questions in my mind. Just as I tuned in, a news report began, and I was about to change it when Grayson’s hand gently stopped mine.

“Hold on a second,” he murmured, still focused on the road.

“I just wanted to listen to some music,” I said, glancing at him. His gaze was fixed ahead, unreadable as always.

“Wait,” he said, nodding towards the radio.

I sighed and sat back, listening to the reporter’s voice filter through. “A prominent millionaire, Marcus Denver, was found dead in his home,” she said. “The cause of death has been ruled murder, with the heart removed from the body. Authorities believe foul play is involved.”

The reporter’s words were chilling. My heart quickened, and as she continued, she said his name. Realization dawned on me, and I turned to Grayson.

“He was an Alpha, wasn’t he?”

He gave me a brief nod, his face expressionless.

“I remember his name. My mother made me memorize the names and bloodlines of every Alpha when I was little, though I never understood why,” I murmured, more to myself than to him.

He replied quietly, “He was. That’s why I asked you to hold on. Bet you can change the channel now.”

I hesitated. “No. I want to listen.”

He didn’t argue, just returned his gaze to the road as we both listened in silence. The news anchor continued, speculating about possible motives and the power struggles among those who might have wanted him dead because of his money—because the world didn’t know the part about him being an Alpha. Finally, I turned back to him, the gravity of it all settling on my shoulders.

“Alphas don’t just… end up dead. They always have so much security and protection. I mean, you all have guards ready to protect you with their lives if need be, right? Was he someone you knew? An ally?”

Grayson shook his head, his tone cold, controlled. “No. I’m very selective about who I align with. And you’re right—Alphas don’t usually get murdered. But he wasn’t an ally, so it’s not my concern. You can change the station now.”

There was something final in his tone, though I could tell he was trying to soften it. I switched the station reluctantly, only for “Paper Rings” by Taylor Swift to come on. Just as I moved to change it, Grayson’s hand stopped mine.

“Leave it,” he said softly.

I stayed quiet, listening to the lyrics about paper rings and love, wondering if he was listening, too. The car ride continued in silence, with her words filling the space between us. “Darling, you’re the one I want.” My cheeks warmed, and I quickly turned my gaze out the window, trying to hide my blush.

The car finally slowed, coming to a stop in front of a small house surrounded by bright flowers. Grayson got out first, and I quickly followed, watching as he pulled a key from his pocket. The sight made me pause.

He caught my look and explained, “She enchanted the house so she can’t hear anyone knock. Hates being disturbed. So, she gave me a key.”

Without waiting, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. I wasn’t sure what to expect, my mind flitting between images of potions in jars and ominous symbols. Inside, it was… odd. Not quite witchy, but close, with herbs and old books lining the walls.

“Maria,” Grayson called.

A figure emerged from the back room, throwing something onto the floor that exploded in a puff of smoke. Maria raised her hand dramatically, announcing, “’Tis I!”

Grayson stared, completely unamused. “Who else would it be?”

She grinned, completely ignoring his tone, and turned to me. “I see you finally got your head out of your ass and brought back the beautiful bride. I’m Maria, by the way. Now that we’re not meeting under world-ending circumstances…”

I couldn’t help but smile, extending my hand to her, but she ignored it, pulling me into a hug instead. She whispered, “I’m so happy you came back.”

There was a warmth in her voice that tugged at my heart, and I found myself oddly comforted. She stepped back, grinning widely. “So, what brings you here today? Want me to cast a spell to guarantee a baby on the first try!”

“No!” I spluttered, my face heating up as Grayson snapped, “Maria, behave yourself.”

She only rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t let him teach you to be humorless. But seriously, what can I do for you?”

“I need you…” Grayson started, but she held up a hand.

“I was talking to Ava,” she interrupted. “You’re cut off from my services for a good five months. I had to sleep three days straight to recover last time.”

Grayson scoffed, “Sleeping is your hobby.”

“Exactly. I sleep for enjoyment, not because I’m exhausted from saving narcissistically induced Alpha king’s asses.”

“That sentence doesn’t even make sense.”

“Doesn’t matter, I said it anyway,” she retorted with a smirk. I looked between them, realizing there was a history here. They fought like siblings, but… were they?

I cleared my throat, drawing their attention back to me. “Sorry to interrupt, but I was kind of hoping you could do a spell and see if you could release my wolf. Grayson said you tried to link us before, and during that time, I healed, and then I felt her, so if your magic was able to do that, maybe you could help me reach her?”

The amusement in Maria’s eyes faded as she studied me, then looked at Grayson, who gave her a single, solemn nod. Maria turned back to me. “I can try. I’m not promising anything, but look through my spell book and see what I can find.”

She gestured for me to make myself comfortable and then pointed at Grayson. “And you, make Ava some tea. Healing tea.”

He scoffed. “I don’t know how to make healing tea.”

Maria’s grin widened. “Oh, I know, I just wanted to hear you admit there’s something you can’t do.”

She laughed as she disappeared into the back room, leaving Grayson glaring after her. I stifled a laugh of my own and asked, “How long have you two known each other? You argue like siblings.”

“I’ve known her since we were kids,” he muttered, eyes still fixed on the doorway she’d vanished through. “And no, we’re not related.”

“Like I’d want to be related to your grumpy ass,” she shouted from the back, clearly hearing everything.

I was about to speak when Grayson’s phone chimed sharply, cutting through the silence. He pulled it out, eyes narrowing as he glanced at the screen, his expression shifting in an instant—his usual guarded look transforming into something far colder, sharper.

I hesitated but pushed through, asking softly, “Did something happen?”

He clenched his jaw briefly, still staring at the message as though it might change if he looked hard enough. “I just got word from one of the Alphas I’m aligned with,” he began, his voice dropping into a low, controlled tone. “Marcus wasn’t the only one killed last night. Two more Alphas were found dead, each with their hearts ripped out.”

A shiver ran through me as the weight of his words settled. My heart thudded in my chest, every nerve firing off in warning. I processed the implication.

“Three dead Alphas in one night…” I said slowly, piecing it together. “That’s not a coincidence. It’s a pattern. Someone is targeting Alphas.” I looked up at him, feeling the dread sink deeper. “And if that’s true, then there’s a chance you’re on their list too. You’re the Alpha King, Grayson.”

SEND GIFT COMMENT 0