The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 17

Ella & Sophia

Ella

I had never attended the Spring Celebration before.

To think that all these years, I had avoided such a beautiful and lively festival… And now, in what could perhaps be my last year alive, I was finally attending for the very first time.

It broke my heart when I should have felt joyful.

The celebration was held in the neutral territory between packs. The forest known as Evergreen Glade was located smack dab in the center of the three main packs in the region-Ashclaw, Stormhollow, and Moonshine.

It was a beautiful forest filled with towering firs, cut through by a babbling brook that led to an impressive waterfall at the southern edge of the glade. I often enjoyed walking through the forest trails when I had nothing to do, or having picnics with Lilith by the brook.

Back before my wolf went dormant, I even enjoyed racing through the woods in wolf form, feeling the moss beneath my paws and the cool breeze in my fur.

I tried not to think about those memories, though. It hurt too much.

In spring, the forest was particularly spectacular; blossoming wild hydrangeas lining the forest clearing, the grass soft and green, the scent of pine and dewy earth mixing with the fresh food being sold by various vendors at the market.

Tonight, the center of the clearing would hold a bonfire to symbolize the burning away of the cold winter and the first sparks of spring. The large fire pit was already set up, piled high with kindling, logs, and even scrap wood. People would dance and drink and laugh until the sun came up in the morning.

I inhaled deeply, savoring the smells and sounds, as Alexander and I stepped into the clearing. The soft white skirt I’d picked out tangled around my legs in the cool breeze, and I pulled my light pink shawl-which Lilith had knitted for me for my birthday last year-a little closer around my shoulders.

Perfect weather for a final spring. I hoped it wouldn’t be my last, though.

“We should talk to Alpha Kristoff and Luna Maria,” Alexander said, pulling me out of my thoughts. He pointed toward a middle-aged Alpha and Luna standing near one of the concession stands. “They sent us a nice bouquet last month for the full moon, so we should say thank you.”

was a kind and intelligent woman who I had asked for political guidance on a

threw her arms wide when she saw me approaching and embraced me tightly. But when she pulled back just enough to look at me, she furrowed

though I felt like I’d had the wind taken out of my sails lately. I couldn’t tell whether it was from my dormant wolf or

still smiling. “How are you, Maria? How is little

around his wife’s shoulders, both of them beaming from ear

rolled her eyes and nudged her husband with her elbow. “He’s not old enough for words yet, darling. Besides,

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say ‘papa, don’t you think

silver-haired Alpha merely shrugged,

surprised to see him smiling along with the exchange. The sight made my heart flutter traitorously. He had swapped out his usual neat suit for a simple white fisherman’s sweater and a pair of green slacks, and his

familiar faces working their way through the crowd. My father and my

I wanted to see

have hurried right over to them to say hello first-always the doting daughter. But not

our conversation. “I wasn’t

chagrined her more than she had the guts to admit. She always cared deeply about whether I was being “good enough” for Alexander. Like the only thing I could do “right” was hide away in my mansion and play the role

actually reminds me,” Maria pointed out, “I’m also surprised to see you here, Ella. We’ve only ever seen you at more

things,” Kristoff added. “Usually Alexander attends with his Beta and Sophia.” He grinned impishly. “Or maybe it’s

me, but I could see his mouth twitch a

not to enjoy these types of lighthearted events. Let’s not blame poor Alexander,

roll my eyes. Leave it to Margaret to always do whatever she could to kiss Alexander’s ass.

amount I had seen

the past, I might have endured such barbs. But not anymore. When you’ve been given a year to live,

speak when Alexander suddenly cleared his

his admission took me by complete surprise. “I’ve always kept Ella busy with her Luna duties.

at that. I couldn’t tell if Alexander actually meant those words or if he was just saying it to

familiar voice cut in, “Ella has