Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0228

Ella POV

Alexander’s kiss was unlike any we had shared before. There was a heat, a sense of urgency in the way he held me, pulling me impossibly close against him as if letting go wasn’t an option.

Somewhere near the door, I vaguely registered Michael’s startled voice, an exclamation of surprise followed by a hurried, muttered apology. A moment later, the door clicked shut again as he fled, clearly embarrassed by what he had walked in on.

It was the soft pressure of my own hands against Alexander’s chest that finally brought the kiss to an end. Despite the part of me that didn’t want to stop, I gently pushed him back, my breath hitching as I tried to steady myself.

“That was a convincing distraction,” I said, my voice breathless but tinged with a touch of disbelief. There was no way that kiss could be acting.

The look in his eyes seemed to confirm it. His bright gaze, usually so sharp and controlled, was stormy, conflicted.

It sent a shiver down my spine, not with fear, but with the realization that something deeper was at play. Was that kiss an attempt to distract me as well as Michael?

I couldn’t forget the conversation we had been having. It felt like we were finally going to discuss the secrets between us, but then the door opened…

I wanted to press him, to get to the bottom of whatever he was hiding, but that flicker of vulnerability in his expression made me hesitate.

lips still slightly parted, but he didn’t

asked, keeping my voice low

charming smile spread across his face, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yes, of course,” he said

for any cracks in the

to the party,” he added. “We’ve kept the guests waiting

to buy a moment to

look fine,” he assured me, his tone easy, as if nothing had

crept up my cheeks, and I turned to look at him, my brow furrowed. “What

shrug, as if it were the most obvious thing in the

“Are we only sticking to the contract? Is there nothing

smile on his lips fading. Without a word, he placed his arm around me and guided me toward the door. His touch was steady, grounding, and I went

he opened the door, he leaned in close, his voice so soft it was almost a breath. “We may need to

brightly as we entered the room, fully aware that all eyes would turn

1/2

+26 BONUS

Chapter 0228