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?”

been seen showing affection in public,” a

this just a political arrangement after all? Are

other. The crowd, which had been relatively calm before, had begun to stir once more, everyone shouting over one another until

you and Luna Ella actually spend time

consulted fertility

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

hardened somewhat. He maintained a mask of calm composure, but up close

“Just because we don’t flaunt our

They continued firing off questions, one after the other after the other. I felt my hands begin to shake, and for

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Chapter 23


wondered if I might faint right there

to stand, her armis nové folder across her

can you prove that this marriage isn’t just for show?” a man near the front suddenly shouted “How can

prove that gens

were we

Alexander, who for once seemed at a loss for

I knew what I had to do. It was risky and

them up–for now.

and grabbed Alexander’s tie. His eyes widened

then I threw my caution

Deeply. Desperately.

of kiss a woman might give a

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


Our first kiss.

on our wedding day–which was a small, private affair–we hadn’t kissed. We had simply signed

guest room on the opposite side of the mansion,

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