The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 12

Ella POV

“I should go.” Alexander said, standing abruptly. “Apologies, Alphas, but duty calls.”

The Alphas looked around at each other. “I’ll give them a tour of the pack grounds while you’re gone,” I said quickly, not wanting them to sit around while we waited for Alexander to return.

The Board murmured in agreement. Liam especially looked pleased, and said, clapping his hands together, “That sounds wonderful! We were hoping to have a chance to see the pack grounds today.”

I stood and looked at Alexander, who hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. Smiling. I walked over to him and placed my hands on his shoulders. Before he could react, I swallowed my pride and leaned up on my tiptoes, planting a kiss on his

cheek.

“I want to see you off,” I said gently, just loud enough for the others to hear.

Alexander stared at me for a moment, clearly surprised by my efforts. Neither of us seemed to expect me to go so far as to kiss him, but it seemed to hit its mark-because I heard the Board murmuring amongst themselves in the background, a few words of praise going around.

Finally, Alexander nodded and looped his arm through mine. “Very well.” He turned to look at the Board. “Let’s all head to the barracks. You can start your tour there once I leave.”

As the Board stood and followed us out of the dining room. I caught Sophia’s gaze one last time. She still stood at the far end of the table, her fingers curled so tightly around the edge that I could see her nails digging into the wood.

The hateful look in her eyes was almost startling in its intensity.

A few minutes later, we all stood in the center of the pack barracks.

It was a small but impressive fortress at the very end of the cast wing of the mansion. All of Ashclaw’s guards and warriors trained and lived here. The air smelled like leather and sweat, and as the Board looked around at the various racks of weapons and armor, I followed Alexander to the corner, where he was preparing to leave.

rivet seemed to only emphasize his perfect physique,

a holster on his chest. It had an ornate silver handle inlaid with a dark ruby the color of fresh blood, and

you can handle giving them a tour?” Alexander suddenly asked, low enough so only I could hear. “We can save it for when I return

my reverie and shook my head. “I’m not an invalid, you know. I can handle giving the Board

grunted, but didn’t argue. “That was impressive

bother to hide the way I rolled my eyes. “You have so

briefest moment, I thought I saw a look of shame cross Alexander’s green eyes, but it was quickly masked with his usual coldness once more. He turned back toward the

shoulder. He didn’t pull away as I tightened it, but I could feel his muscles

1/3

Chapter 2

recalled our compromising position from this morning-the warmth of his arms around me, the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my ear, the way his red hair briefly caught the morning sunlight like a flame when Sophia had

Five years, and this morning was the very

have spent together like a normal couple. Or all

I could have waited for him until he returned, and we could have greeted

sweet those moments could have been, if only he hadn’t been so bitter toward me. Everything

hands lingered on his arm for a moment longer

mirror. I couldn’t stop myself from murmuring, “Be safe out there,

huffed and turned around. “I’ll

lightly bumping my shoulder, and stormed off. I stood there for a long moment, my brief moment of tenderness immediately replaced with frustration and resentment. What else

“Prick,” I whispered..

Sophia POV

heart as Ella adjusted Alex’s armor. The way her fingers lingered on his arm, the way she looked at him… The way she had found them this morning, tangled together in bed in a way

frustrated Sophia beyond