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?”

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

least for

parents‘ death. Since when do you

“Just watch yourself.”

me for a long moment. Then, shaking his head, he mused, “I see. You’re getting too attached. This is exactly what I was afraid

I growled. “I’m just saying you should show some respect

held up his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry for

in the room slowly eased as we drank in silence for a while, but could

each other long enough that he’d unfortunately developed an uncanny ability to see right through me sometimes. It was a blessing

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

getting a little too cozy. It was bad enough that we were sharing a room, and now all I could think about was

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08:37 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 30

they could take root, “I have no intention of falling for Ella. This is all for show, just like agreed. In

slightly. “Because if Stormhollow was behind

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

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

myself another glass of bourbon and held it up,

there, smiling at me in the amber liquid

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 manage

head slightly fuzzy from the bourbon. It was late, and I needed sleep. I’d spent the afternoon patrolling the eastern border, then been dragged to that cafe for lunch, then spent hours catching up

making me overthink things, and alcohol was making

halls. Ella would already be asleep by 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. A blessing, to not have to talk to her

moment I stepped inside my bedroom. Cherry blossoms and vanilla, sweet and intoxicating, filling every corner of

getting stronger by the

her. To claim her. The force of it was so sudden and intense that I had to grip the