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.

shoulders. Each joint and rivet seemed to only emphasize his perfect physique, right down to his impressive leg muscles. Various straps and holsters adorned

in particular caught my eye as he slipped it into a holster on his chest. It had an ornate silver handle inlaid with a dark ruby the color of fresh blood,

tour?” Alexander suddenly asked, low enough

reverie and shook my head. “I’m not an invalid, you know.

was impressive earlier at breakfast. You

rolled my eyes. “You have so much faith

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

loose strap along his shoulder. He didn’t pull away as I

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Chapter 2

thrum of his heartbeat beneath my ear, the way his red hair briefly caught the morning sunlight like a flame when Sophia

had only woken up together once. Five years, and this morning was the very

about all of the missed moments, all of the wasted nights we could have spent together like a normal couple. Or

I could have waited for him until he returned, and we could have greeted each other with our arms thrown around one

moments could have been, if only he hadn’t been so

a moment longer than necessary as I considered all

up at Alexander, meeting his gaze in the mirror. I couldn’t stop myself from murmuring, “Be safe

turned around. “I’ll be fine,” he

stood there for a long moment, my brief moment of tenderness immediately

“Prick,” I whispered..

Sophia POV

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

Sophia