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?”

her that,” I repeated. I didn’t use my Alpha voice, not yet, but the urge was buzzing in my throat like a swarm of yellowjackets. “She’s

at least

your parents‘ death. Since

“Just watch yourself.”

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

attached,” I growled. “I’m just saying you should show some

surrender. “I’m sorry for disrespecting

silence for a while, but could feet Gabriel’s eyes

also my friend. And we had known each other long enough that he’d unfortunately developed an uncanny ability to see right through me sometimes. It was a

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

been behind my parents‘ deaths. I really couldn’t afford to fall for her, and the act we were putting on 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

1/3

08:37 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 30

I finally said, shoving aside those images before they could take root, “I have no intention of falling for Ella. This is all for show, just like agreed. In nine months, we’ll go our

“Because if Stormhollow was behind your parents‘ murder, and

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

the rest of his drink and stood. “It’s been a long

bourbon and held it up, turning it in my fingers

smiling at me in the

taking a sip. It was merely a biological

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

things, and alcohol was making me

And indeed, when I reached the door, there was no sliver of light spilling out from beneath. A

the moment I stepped inside

getting stronger

mark her. To claim her. The force of it was so sudden and intense