The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 30

Alexander

“You’re all over the internet,” Gabriel said, sliding his phone across my desk. “The happy couple out for lunch.”

I didn’t need to look at the photos. I’d lived through it just hours ago. Ella had fed me a pickle off her fork–a pickle and I had to eat it just to appease the fucking paparazzi, because if I didn’t, they would never believe our farce.

I didn’t even like pickles.

Instead of answering right away, I took another sip of bourbon, letting it burn a hot path down my throat. Gabriel and I were sitting in my office with only the fire to light the room and a half–empty bottle between us. It had been a long day.

“At least the stunt worked,” I said, refilling my glass. “The press seems to be buying it. And the people around us were giggling like a bunch of schoolchildren.”

Gabriel snorted. “It seems to be working a little too well, if you ask me. #AlphaLove Birds is trending.” He scrolled through more photos. “You do look… convincing, though.”

“That’s the point.”

Gabriel’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me. “Just remember it’s all for show, Alex. You can’t afford to get caught up in this performanc

My jaw clenched. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I’m just saying, I’ve known you for a long time, and I’ve never seen you look at that Stormhollow bitch the way you did in these photos.”

My wolf surged forward so violently I nearly dropped my glass.

“Don’t call her that,” I blurted out, my teeth clenched so tight I thought I might shatter them.

Gabriel blinked, clearly taken aback. “What?”

use my Alpha voice, not yet, but the urge was buzzing in my throat like a swarm

at least

in your parents‘ death. Since when do

“Just watch yourself.”

Then, shaking his head, he mused, “I see. You’re getting too attached. This is exactly

saying you should show some respect to your Luna. Don’t forget

his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry for disrespecting Luna Ella. It won’t

The tension in the room slowly eased as we drank in silence for a while, but could feet Gabriel’s eyes on me every so often, watching, assessing, waiting to

but also my friend. And we had known each other long enough that he’d unfortunately developed an uncanny ability to see right

wolf growled at me to put my Beta in his place, but I calmed him. Gabriel was just drunk, and besides, he

was getting a little too cozy. It was bad enough that we were sharing a room, and now all I could think about was the sight of her hiking beside me earlier, the sheen on her brow, the tears shimmering in her eyes as

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Chapter 30

no intention of falling for Ella. This is all for show, just like agreed. In

if Stormhollow was behind your parents‘ murder, and you

firmly. “I made a vow all those years ago. I don’t intend to break it

He downed the rest of his drink and stood. “It’s been a long day. should head

bourbon and held it up, turning it in my

at me in the amber liquid as it

reminded myself, setting aside the glass without taking a sip. It was merely a biological reaction and nothing more. I’d successfully resisted it for five years; I could

late, and I needed sleep. I’d spent the afternoon patrolling the eastern border, then been

and alcohol

now, just like everyone else in this house. And indeed, when I reached the door, there was no sliver of light spilling out from beneath.

like a brick wall the moment I stepped inside my bedroom. Cherry blossoms and vanilla, sweet and intoxicating, filling every corner of

was getting stronger by

of my skin like he’d gone feral. He wanted me to mark her. To claim her. The force of it was so sudden and intense that I had