Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0172

Chapter 0172

Alexander POV

Ella lay quiet and still beside me, her breathing steady but her body tense. Despite her insistence that this arrangement was fine, I knew she was uncomfortable. I couldn’t blame her–this situation was awkward, to say

the least.

As I lay there, the memory of that night crept into my mind unbidden and unwelcome. The night David had poisoned her. I clenched my jaw, pushing the thought away but it lingered, as it always did. That night had been a mistake. Not because of my being there for her, but the way I handled it after.

E

I should have known better than to let things escalate the way they had. Ella had insisted she wanted me to stay, and I’d been unable to resist. Something about her vulnerability, her raw honesty, had shattered my resolve. Walking away from her then had been impossible, and now regretted it–not because of the moment itself, but because I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

of danger hanging over us. My attraction to Ella wasn’t something I could ignore or push aside–it was

dark, watching her back as she lay on her side. Her breathing had softened, a sign that she might finally be asleep. I waited, unwilling to disturb her. This arrangement was never going to work for me, not because I didn’t trust myself, but because I couldn’t sleep beside anyone.

Not since…

on the present. After several minutes, I whispered her name into

“Ella.”

She didn’t stir, didn’t make a

out from under the blankets, moving as quietly as I could. I crossed the room with measured steps, avoiding the furniture in the dim light. Reaching the recliner, I grabbed the quilt draped over the back

wasn’t comfortable, but comfort wasn’t the point. I wasn’t expecting to sleep much tonight anyway. I pulled the quilt over me, closed my eyes, and tried to relax. Morning would come soon enough, and I needed to

Ella POV

felt far more comfortable and peaceful than I had imagined. The steady warmth of him behind me was soothing, but it also left me hyper–aware of his presence. My heart seemed to beat louder in the quiet of the room, and no matter how I tried, sleep eluded

away, at least calming my body might help me feel less restless. I

hesitated, unsure if I should respond or pretend I hadn’t heard him. My indecision stretched too long, apparently, because Alexander shifted