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.”

said, turning my eyes away from

had hoped that after tonight I would never have to pretend

can’t just let you walk away angry like this,” David said.

to spare your pride, but if

1 have to do to prove myself

thing, but if he insisted on paying a higher price, then Who was 1 to

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0018

you’ll never hide things from me again,” I said. “And since I can’t trust your word, it will have to be in writing, and there will have to be real consequences if you deceive

David said. “What

know that I am serious about this, and so what you risk if you

demanded, “Why such a

is true to his word, then there’s nothing to worry about, right?” I said, turning my eyes back to David. “You want to marry me; you want me

and I

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

be good for the pack and strengthen us

defeated. “Okay,” he said. “Write up

can’t believe it’s come to this,” I said, my voice

crowd, and I could see a lot of people nodding in agreement with me,

have left. I felt a little twinge of fear and worried

want him to get the impression that I was going to back out of our deal. I

my father. “Can we please leave?” I said. “I don‘ know if I can handle any

around my shoulders. ‘Let’s

anyone else as we exited the restauraht. My father chatted for a second with a manager by the door, promising to make sure that all of the

couldn’t shake the feeling that I

upset

we drove. When we arrived, I told my parents that I just wanted to get cleaned up and go to bed, and we could talk about things in

I washed