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?”

not yet, but the urge was buzzing in my throat like a swarm of yellowjackets. “She’s

least

your parents‘ death. Since when do you care what

“Just watch yourself.”

mused, “I see. You’re getting too attached. This is exactly what I

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

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

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,

other long enough that he’d

his place, but I calmed him. Gabriel was just drunk, and besides,

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

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08:37 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 30

shoving aside those images before they could take root, “I have no intention of falling for Ella. This is all

Stormhollow was behind your parents‘ murder, and you end up falling for

all those years ago. I

another moment, then nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Alright.” He downed the rest of

another glass of bourbon and held it up, turning it

I saw her face there, smiling at me in the amber

see her everywhere, I reminded myself, setting aside the glass without taking a sip. It was merely

slightly fuzzy from the bourbon. It was late, and I needed sleep. I’d spent the afternoon patrolling the eastern border,

and alcohol was making me

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

hit me like a brick wall the moment I stepped inside my bedroom. Cherry blossoms and vanilla, sweet and intoxicating,

was getting stronger by the

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