Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0323

Ella POV

Alexander ended up working late, which was probably for the best–it gave us both time to clear our heads. I wasn’t sure if we even needed to have a follow–up conversation after his confession, but I wanted to be prepared if it happened.

My conversation with James had helped more than I expected. He was right–Alexander was a good man, even if his past was tangled up in crime.

I smiled to myself as I pulled a tray of cookies from the over. It was a silly thought, but an accurate one.

I had heard plenty of stories about the Ice King over the years–rumors of illegal smuggling, business fraud, and rivalries with rogue gangs near the northern border. But no once had I heard a single story about him hurting someone who could be considered innocent.

Of course, I couldn’t be sure of that. The way my kidnappers had quaked with fear at just the sight of Alexander suggested he was dangerous in ways I might never fully understand.

But even if that was true, I wasn’t sure it would have made a difference to me at this point.

I loved him. And I wasn’t going anywhere.

So, I baked a tray of the same cookies I had made for him the night he met my parents, hoping that small gesture would be enough to show how grateful I was. Because I didn’t have the words to express what it meant to me that he had finally opened up about something so important.

Just as I was setting the cookies on the rack to cool, I heard the sound of the door opening. When Alexander told me he was working late, I assumed he wouldn’t be home until early morning. But it was only about an hour after his usual return time.

A moment later, he appeared in the kitchen doorway. His gaze flicked to the tray of cookies before settling on me, curiosity softening his features.

“Did I forget some special occasion?” he asked.

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I just felt like making something for you.”

his voice sending a shiver down my spine. “They smell amazing. You

you got home before I went to sleep.” “Why’s that?”

shrugged. “I just wanted to

counter, arms crossed. “What did

a whimper that made it difficult to focus. Of course, I was thrilled to have him back, but sometimes her need to be close made it

Alexander’s brow

hand vaguely around my head.

his eyes. “It happens to

1/3

I asked, genuinely curious. “How do you get

low and warm. “I’m just a little more used to it than you are, that’s all. Trust

course,” I admitted, “but I didn’t realize it would feel like

Sometimes, I can’t even

sounds… a little

comforting. Your wolf’s voice becomes part of your instincts, part of your gut–you stop needing to separate

hesitated, then whispered, “All she wants is to be near you.” My face burned at

expression softened. “Is there any reason why you can’t

was truly asking–whether I had made up my mind after his confession. Slowly, I shook my head.

no reason we can’t stay together.”

relax, as if he’d been holding his breath all day and could finally breathe again. A pang of guilt tugged at

when I’d laid my own secrets bare, waiting

that mattered. The only thing that mattered was us.

tiptoes and kissed him. His hands were instantly at

whispered against his lips. “I don’t