Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0328

Ella POV

I finished my workout, showered, and by the time I left the gym, I felt a little better. I had almost convinced myself that the blonde woman I'd seen wasn't Sabrina. It seemed too far-fetched that she would suddenly show up here, of all places.

As I stepped onto the sidewalk, I glanced at my phone. Two missed calls-one from Alexander and one from Elizabeth. Alexander had also sent a text letting me know he was on his way home. I sent back a heart emoji so he'd know I'd seen it.

But there was nothing from Elizabeth. No text. No voicemail.

I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but every time she called without leaving a message, it usually meant trouble was brewing. Without overthinking it, I tapped on her name and hit call.

I realized I was holding my breath when she answered.

"What is it?" I asked, my concern bleeding into every word

"Calm down," Elizabeth said quickly. "I wasn't calling about anything bad."

"Are you sure?" I asked, feeling a little ridiculous for my overreaction. "You're positive? The sky's not falling? Aliens aren't invading?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Not as far as I know." There was a long pause, then her voice dipped into something guiltier. I'm sorry I couldn't warn you about Amanda ahead of time. I didn't know until it hit the news."

"Your father didn't give you a heads-up?" I asked, surprised.

"No," she sighed. "I wasn't home. I guess that's why."

"Where were you?" I asked casually, waving at James as he approached from the coffee shop across the street. Having a bodyguard shadow me still felt strange, but after the last time I ditched him, I wasn't willing to take any chances.

"I was with Damien," Elizabeth said, and I could hear the giddy smile in her voice. "Ohhh," I teased with a laugh. "That explains why you're in such a good mood." "Actually, that's why I called," she said, barely able to contain her excitement. “I have some big news."

"What is it?" I asked, suddenly curious.

"We're engaged!" she practically shouted into the phone.

I stopped mid-step, staring at the screen in shock. Engaged?

That hadn't happened in the original timeline. My chest tightened with unexpected emotion before I finally managed to say, "I'm so happy for you."

"We're not making it public just yet, but we will soon," Elizabeth said. “Which is why I'm calling. Some friends are going out this weekend to celebrate, so obviously, you have to come."

hesitance creeping

wave of unease washed over me. Elizabeth had no idea about the latest

thought of going out

me nervous.

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Chapter 0328

She was getting married. I couldn't sit this out. I wanted

my voice to sound light. "I'm

in my tone. She

relaxing. Hearing so much joy in her voice was reassuring. It reminded me that

it had been hard to believe that things could turn out

stay strong a little while longer. And if I did, maybe-just maybe- everything

Alexander POV

Amanda," I said,

in the back of the car beside August, I

in, studying the grainy video

But who's the woman with

the million-dollar

low over her head. She wore

impossible to distinguish any

identifying features. She wase

she turn toward the

twisted in my chest, but I forced it down. I needed to think clearly.

must be someone with connections in the

the border without issue," August replied. "But it's still too large a group to narrow down without more

through Archer," I said. "Start asking questions. Find out if anyone had contact with Archer before his

woman helped Amanda plan the kidnapping?"

I doubt she found someone willing to help on just her word. She needed someone to vouch for her. And if she has this

right. With

for her arrest, she has every reason

grimly. The king had acted recklessly-interfering without fully understanding how the rogue world operated. If only he'd informed me first, I might have been able to

stood, all I could do was

a quick text to James. His reply came immediately a discreet photo of Ella. She was smiling at her phone, completely