Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0018

Ella POV

Disgust washed over me at David’s words. After the way he had just viciously defended Amanda, how could he possibly try to pretend that he loved me or that the fated mate bond meant nothing to him?

I didn’t have to look around the room to know that there were chosen mate couples around us. I knew that David’s words would be meaningful to them.

They didn’t know him the way that I did. They didn’t know that he only wanted me for my title. I had to keep the crowd on my side.

I need the public to support my decision to break our engagement.

I stared at David blankly as he approached me with a pleading look on his face. “Love is more than the fated mate bond,” he said.

I looked away from him. If I didn’t, my hatred would show on my face.

My eyes moved to Alexander automatically. He had moved closer in the crowd, and there was a look of concern on his face.

“Do you need help?” he mouthed silently.

I felt relieved that he was nearby and that he knew how distressing this was for me. I knew that I couldn’t ask him to step in; that would reveal too much. But knowing that he was willing to help gave me strength.

“No.” I mouthed back. Then I turned my eyes to David.

“But she is your fated mate, and you knew it! You chose to hide it from me. What kind of love is that, built on lies? “My voice shook, and I could feel tears springing to my eyes as I let all of my pain show on my face.

“Ella, I’m sorry I lied-”

“No,” I said, cutting him off. “I can’t do this, not now. Even if it was a well–intentioned lie, you still showed me that I can’t trust you. How can I possibly entrust the future of my pack to someone who can’t be honest with me about something this important?”

A murmur of agreement went through the crowd at this, and I was relieved to hear that I had won them back over to my side.

“Be reasonable,” David said, stepping a little closer. “I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that you’re the only one I love. I’ll never have contact with Amanda again if thats what it takes. Besides, once we’re–married and our bond is in place, the fated bond will fade.”

eyes away from him

the way I had planned. I had hoped that after tonight I would never have to pretend to care

you walk away angry like

spare your pride, but if you insist on doing this in front

what 1 have to do to prove

humiliation was one thing, but if he insisted on paying a

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0018

since I can’t trust your word, it will have to be in writing, and there will have to be

David said. “What consequence?”

something serious,” I said thoughtfully. I want you to know that I am serious about this, and so what you risk if you lie to

“Why such a

said, turning my eyes back to David. “You want to marry me; you want me to commit myself to you and entrust my pack to you, so I need to

father, and I could tell that

would say no, and I could break the engagement right now. But if he said yes and I found proof of his lies later,

for the pack and strengthen us further.

“Okay,” he said. “Write up the agreement, and I’ll sign

can’t believe it’s come to this,” I said, my voice thick with disappointment.

looked back at the crowd, and I could see a lot of people nodding in agreement with me, but I couldn’t see Alexander.

I felt a little twinge of fear and worried that he

didn’t want him to get the impression that I was going to back out of

said. “I don‘ know if I

course,” he said, putting his arm around my

second with a manager by

but he didn’t reply. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had him, that I had taken things too far by demanding a contract

upset

we drove. When we arrived, I told my parents that I just wanted to get cleaned up and go to

I washed