The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 23

Ella

The lawn went quiet. Alexander’s hand tightened on my lower back. I felt like I was going to be sick all over again as every onlooker and journalist fell silent, waiting for our answer.

But how were we supposed to answer that?

We weren’t actually sleeping together, let alone trying for a baby. We had only just begun to share a bedroom after years of marriage, and that was only out of necessity, not desire. The very thought of sleeping with my husband, an experience that every happy wife should have, just made my heart pound with anxiety and embarrassment.

But Alexander, always the politician, leaned toward the microphone without missing another beat.

*If you must know, we are actually trying for a baby,” he said confidently. The crowd murmured, glancing at one another.

“An heir to Ashclaw,” someone in the front row said, glancing over at me. “That would be a miracle at this point.”

I fought to keep my expression neutral even as my stomach turned in on itself. It wasn’t a miracle; it was just another fucking lie. How many more would we have to tell before this damn press conference was over?

The journalist scribbled something on her notepad, then looked back up at us. “But you’ve been married for five years,” she said, tilting her head. “Most fated mates conceive within the first year. Is there perhaps a… fertility issue on either end?”

My cheeks burned. This wasn’t just embarrassing–it was dangerous. In our world, a pack’s Alpha and Luna were expected to be strong, virile, and capable of producing heirs. If the pack thought we couldn’t have children, then they would question Alexander’s ability to lead Ashclaw.

And that wasn’t even including how it might impact his election.

Alexander’s fingers dug into my spine. “Well, these things simply take time, and we’ve only got so much energy,” he said with a light chuckle. “But we’re both young, so we’re in no rush.”

“But if you’re truly in love, as you claim to be,” the journalist prodded, “then why wait so long to start a family? It’s quite unusual, even for people of your

age.”

Another journalist raised his hand and stood before Gabriel could call on him. “There are rumors that you sleep in separate bedrooms. Is that true? is that why you haven’t been able to conceive?”

affection in public,” a woman near the

a political arrangement after all?

now, overlapping each other. The crowd, which had been relatively calm before, had begun to stir once more, everyone shouting over one another until it was one big

Luna Ella

consulted

either one of you having an affair? What about Lady Sophia, Alpha

at the mention of Sophia. I glanced at Alexander, whose own face had hardened somewhat. He maintained a mask of calm composure, but up close like this I could see the faint lines that had formed around

life is just that–private,” he replied curtly. “Just because we don’t flaunt our relationship doesn’t mean it

the other

1/3

Chapter 23

if I might faint right there

nové folder across her chest. Her eyes were bulking

prove that this marriage isn’t just for show?”

prove that gens truly live with

hell were we supposed to prove something that didn’t

looked up at Alexander, who for once seemed at a loss

moment, I knew what I had to do. It was risky and potentially humiliating and might even backfire spectacularly. But it was the antywą

them up–for now.

myself, I reached up and grabbed Alexander’s tie. His eyes widened in

then I threw my caution

Deeply. Desperately.

of kiss a woman might give a man she truly

kissing my fated mate a thousand times before, in the privacy of my lonely

Our first kiss.

a small, private affair–we hadn’t kissed. We had simply signed our contract and slipped on our rings in front

that tiny guest room on the opposite side