Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Ella POV

I was exhausted after my meeting with the Alphas of the Rigdorn. Once again, David had been too busy to oversee the official gathering, and as Luna Queen, it had fallen to me.

I never liked hosting these meetings, but I'd grown used tot. They were necessary for the good of the Kingdom, and I understood that.

David often had other matters demanding his attention, and I didn't mind stepping in to help occasionally. But I wished I knew what was keeping him so busy. Lately, he seemed more secretive, no longer sharing everything with me as he had when we first became leaders of the Kingdom.

I couldn't help but wonder if I'd done something to upset him or make him lose faith in me. Yet that didn't entirely make sense, given that he still trusted me with important responsibilities like these meetings.

Perhaps he was working on a surprise for me? That thought was likely just wishful thinking. David and I hadn't shared a romantic moment alone in quite some time.

The increased rogue activity at the border weighed heavily on him, as it did on every Alpha in the Kingdom. Their boldness was growing, and I-knew the stress of the situation was taking its toll.

That stress spilled into these meetings, which were becoming more frequent as people demanded answers. They wanted reassurance, a clear plan to keep them safe.

I did my best to assure them that David was working tirelessly on a solution and had everything under control. But since I didn't know the details of his plans, my words rang Hollow. I could see the doubt in their faces.

After the meeting, I headed back to our living quarters, hoping to grab something to eat and perhaps rest before my next obligation. I would never complain, but being Luna Queen was far more work than I'd anticipated.

While I'd known the traditional duties of a Queen, the reality was that I'd taken on many responsibilities typically reserved for the King.

I didn't resent it-I was glad to be of use to David-but it was undeniably exhausting.

As I approached our quarters, the sound of David's voice reached me. A spark of excitement flared; perhaps he was finally free, and we could share a meal or spend some time together. But as I drew closer, I noticed the sharp edge

to his tone.

He was angry.

outside the door. David had always had an explosive temper, and experience had taught me it

what to do, but before I could decide, David stepped

he said, his tone edged with irritation.

my voice even. "The Alphas

"What are they complaining about

in the North," I explained carefully. "The border

cutting me off. "I'm not spending money to solve their

Chapter 1243

border, they should be

wrong?" I asked cautiously, sensing

"No. I've just been talking to Archer. More trouble at the border. It sounds

I couldn't lilde the disappointment in my voice. "You've been traveling so

the King. It's a lot of

know," I said quickly, trying to soothe him, though his tone

start, my heart hammering, skin

me even now. Being married to David had always been miserable-I just hadn't allowed myself to acknowledge it back

with the benefit of hindsight, I could see it clearly for what it was. But... maybe that wasn't all I could

thoughts wander back to the original timeline, replaying everything I knew about David and his constant "work" trips. He had obviously been lying to

that his ties to the

criminals was

because I'd exposed him. But that didn't add up. He must have already known who to call, how to start his plans

me like a punch to

had been a criminal all along-I

I stood

remains of the dream. I was waiting for Alexander to come upstairs so we could

at the clock. Alexander still had a