The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 34

Ella

“What’s that?” Alexander stepped forward to peer over my shoulder at the invitation.

I shrugged and held it out to him. “Just a party at Stormhollow hosted by my father and stepmother. I assume you won’t want to go.”

Alexander took the invitation and was silent for a moment as his eyes scanned it. Neither of us had attended an event in Stormhollow since the wedding, but not for lack of invitations; Alexander never wanted to go, and as his Luna, it wasn’t a good look for me to go alone.

If I didn’t go, then he wouldn’t go. So I never returned to the home that I lived in throughout my entire childhood.

This time, though, I decided it would be different. If I only had a year to live–assuming nothing worked out the way I hoped and my wolf never returned from dormancy–then I wanted to visit my old home just in case.

Just one last time.

Alexander glanced up at me. “Are you going?”

I nodded. “I think I will.” I lifted my chin, silently challenging him to tell me I couldn’t go since he had no intention of attending.

But to my surprise, he simply said, “Very well. I’ll go with you.”

My mouth fell open. “You… what?”

“I’ll accompany you,” he repeated, tossing the invitation onto the foyer table. “It would look strange if you went alone. People are already talking.”

So this was about appearances again. The happy couple act for the sake of his campaign. At least I wasn’t naive enough to expect anything else this time.

Yet despite knowing this, I couldn’t quite squash the flutter of happiness in my stomach at the thought of Alexander accompanying me to my parents‘ house. It would be the first time we’d ever visited them together as a couple.

Later that night, as Alexander was showering, I found myself staring at the open closet, contemplating what to wear to the party.

Nothing felt right. Most of my clothes were conservative, elegant pieces befitting a perfect Luna. High necklines, modest hems, subdued colors. The only formal dress I had that I really Shed was the red one I’d worn to the banquet, and I didn’t want to wear the same thing again. The rest were clothes chosen to make me look proper and respectable, not to express who I actually was.

But who was I, really? The scared teenage girl who’d been married off to a man who didn’t love her? The perfect, obedient Luna who never complained? Or the woman I was becoming now, the one who stood up for herself and kissed her husband in front of a crowd of journalists?

Nothing seemed to reflect the person I wanted to be now. It all belonged to a version of me I was trying to leave

and I turned to find him standing behind

held up a burnt orange dress with a high neckline and long sleeves, then

shifted to the pile of discarded dresses on the

I don’t know. They don’t

I was being ridiculous. Instead, he said, “I

at the movie theater.”

19 Aug

Chapter 34

to take

out of his paycheck, of course.” He paused, then added, “Besides, is would look good for us to be seen

Not because he actually cared about my feelings or my ruined dress, but because it

I quickly hardened it again. I couldn’t keep doing this to myself this constant cycle

focused on the plan: help him get through the election without any issues, get divorced, awaken ray wolf, and then live my life on my own terms. No more fantasies about a happily ever after

an upscale boutique in the center of town. The moment we stepped inside, the saleswoman

honor to

Alexander stepped away to wait on one of the plush armchairs by the fitting rooms. “I’m looking for a dress for a party.“1 explained. “It needs to be a cocktail

I have several options that would look absolutely stunning on you,

excitedly about fabrics and colors. Alexander remained seated, and whenever I

I thought bitterly. He could at least try to appear

from my thoughts as she held up a

at that. Alexander didn’t care what I wore as long as it didn’t

a scene.

several options, the saleswoman ushered me toward the fitting rooms. Alexander didn’t

noticed his apparent disinterest. “Perhaps Alpha Alexander would like to

from his phone. “Oh, I’m sure whatever Ellá chooses will

saleswoman’s eyes. She had probably been expecting us to be the loving couple from the press photos,

like… this.

to bring me here,

although she didn’t seem terribly convinced. “Of course. Well, here’s your fitting room. I put the dresses you