The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 40

Ella

Tseemed to stop. Alexander wasn't kissing me, but with his cheek pressed firmly against mine like this, our

faces were so close that to everyone else,

it must have looked like an intimate kiss.

And despite the lack of an actual kiss, being held like this in Alexander's arms as he dippedlow made me

feel like | was floating on clouds. His hand on my waist felt solid and secure. His breath was warm against my

skin. His fingers gently dipping into the bare skin of my back felt both delicate and deliciously firm.

For a brief, ridiculous moment, | felt like a princess in sfairy tale, swooped off her feet by a handsprince

who was about to carry her away to his

castle.

If only we were a real couple. If only this wasn't all just for show. If only this were a real kiss.

But it wasn’t real. None of it was real. And | was a fool for letting myself pretend, even for a second, that it might

be.

Alexander pulledback up smoothly, still holdingclose. By now, the photographers were going wild,

cameras flashing, clamoring to get a good shot of us together.

“That should give them something to talk about,” Alexander murmured, his lips brushing my ear as he spoke. |

could only manage a tiny nod in response, although I inwardly chided myself for being so touched by the

gesture.

For a little while, Alexander kept his arm around my waist as we moved through the crowd. Everywhere we went,

people greeted us warmly, congratulating Alexander on his campaign, complimenting my dress, saying how

beautiful our relationship was.

| forced myself to smile and nod, to play the part of the adoring Luna.

It was exhausting, even more so when | had to remind myself not to get too comfortable with the beautiful

illusion.

Alexander played his part well, too. Perhaps a little too well. Every t| looked at him, he had that same

handsome, charming smile plastered on his face-green eyes sparkling, creases around his mouth, sparkling

white teeth.

It was a smile that | had seen on only a few occasions throughout our five years of marriage, one of those times

being tonight when he toldhe promised to stop paying my father.

Would he actually keep true to his promise, though? | doubted it-he was likely just saying that to shutup for

the night-but if he did, | would be grateful. My father didn’t deserve the money. And it would helpget out of

at least one bind that I was in.

| just hoped it wouldn't backfire spectacularly onor Stormhollow at large.

Eventually, Alexander got pulled into a conversation with sother Alphas, and | took the opportunity to slip

away for a moment of peace and quiet. | found a small alcove near the refreshment table and watched the party

from a distance, sipping a fresh glass of champagne with Lilith.

Neither of us spoke, although we didn’t need to. Lilith was strangely quiet, though, clutching her champagne

flute like her life depended on it. | figured she was just not used to attending these sorts of parties and didn’t

embarrass her by bringing it up. Besides, | appreciated the quiet.

“There you are!”

Pulled from my thoughts, | turned to find Tara approaching. She had her entourage behind her.

“We're heading out now,” she said, gesturing to the group of women with her. “Cwith us! There's this new

club downtown that’s supposed to be amazing.”

| hesitated, glancing toward Alexander. He was still deep in conversation with the Alpha, and it didn’t seem like

they were going to finish anytsoon.

A large part ofreally wanted to go. To experience a normal night out like any other woman my age. To dance

and laugh and forget about contracts

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08:39 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 40

and divorces and only having one year to live.

But Alexander was here now.

Leaving with Tara would only fuel more gossip, more speculation about our marriage, It wouldn't help his

campaign at all, and since he had shown up forand defendedagainst my father, | couldn't bring myself

to hurt his image tonight.

At least, that was the reason | told myself. But deep down, perhaps | just didn’t want to leave his side.

“I think I'll stay after all,” | said, offering Tara an apologetic smile. “But thanks for the invitation.”

Tara's face fell. “Seriously? Con, Ella. Live a little before it’s too late.”

Her words hit closer to hthan she could possibly know. Before it’s too late. Before my wolf remained

dormant too long.

Before | died.

For a moment, | almost changed my mind. But then | caught Alexander's eye across the room. He was still

talking to that Alpha, but he was glancing at me, green eyes almost seeming to sparkle beneath the light of the

chandeliers.

Something in his gaze made my resolve strengthen. Seeing that look in his eyes, his handsform pressed

into a well-tailored suit, red hair perfectly tousled, and that fucking smile...

My wolf was still dormant, but | swore | could still feel her deep inside of me, pullingtoward him. | couldn't

bring myself to leave tonight.

“Another time,” | said, turning back to Tara. “I just... | should stay with my husband tonight.”

Tara sighed tically but nodded. “Fine, be boring. But I'm holding you to that ‘another time.” She kissed my

cheek before bouncing off to her next adventure.

| watched them leave, and a pang of regret unfurled in my chest. They looked so carefree, so... normal. A group

of friends heading out for a night of fun.

Would | ever experience that? Or would | die having never known what it was like to dance in a club, to laugh

with friends until sunrise, to live without the weight of everyone else’s expectations on my shoulders?

“Ella.”

| stiffened at the sound of Margaret's voice. My stepmother was gliding toward me, looking elegant as ever in her

floor-length navy blue gown and a perfectly practiced smile on her face. Beside me, Lilith straightened, although

she lowered her gaze.

“You look lovely tonight,” Margaret said, stopping a few feet away. She didn’t even glance at Lilith. “That dress

is... bold.”

“Thank you,” | replied cautiously. Margaret had never complimentedin my life. Not once. She was certainly

being underhanded, or perhaps she wanted something from me.

“I must say, | was surprised to see how attentive Alexander was being tonight.” She sipped her wine casually. “It

seems your relationship has truly improved since the last twe saw you.”

| shrugged, not sure how to respond. Was this skind of trap?

“It's good to see,” Margaret continued. “A strong marriage is important for an Alpha and Luna.”

“Right...”

“I'm actually sending a little gift to your home” she said, leaning in. “Something to help... improve things even

more between you two.”

| blinked, completely taken by surprise. Margaret had never givena gift in all the years I'd known her. Not for

my birthday, not for holidays, not even for my wedding.

Chapter 40

“A gift?”

Margaret smiled. “Don’t look so surprised.”

“That's... very thoughtful of you,” | managed.

“I promise it will improve your relationship even more,” she said with a wink before walking away, leaving me

standing there utterly confused

Once she was gone, | turned to Lilith with my eyebrows raised. “What was that about?”

Lilith seemed to be in skind of trance. Her face had gone pale and her eyes were cold, which was a look |

rarely saw on her except for when she was terrified or furious.

She didn’t answer, and | frowned, touching her shoulder. “Lilith...?"

Immediately, my friend snapped out of it. She whipped her head towardas if she'd been slapped and blinked

several times before answering “Oh, um... Yes, very strange,” she said in a tight voice. “Very strange indeed.”

| furrowed my brows, but by then, Alexander was returning. And the star couple of the evening had to perform,

after all.

The rest of the evening passed without a hitch. By the tAlexander finally announced we should leave, | was

dead on my feet. For once, | was actually excited to climb into the bed we shared, even if we slept on the

opposite edges of it like strangers.

In fact, | was so exhausted that despite my best efforts, | felt myself drifting off as soon as Gabriel began to drive

us home.

The last thing | remembered was letting my head drop sideways onto Alexander's shoulder.

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