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?

holding each one against my body before tossing it aside. Nothing seemed to reflect the person I wanted to

me jump, and I turned to find him

what to wear to my parents‘ party,” I said, turning back to face the mirror. I held up a burnt

discarded dresses on the floor, then back to me.

all… I don’t know. They

scoff or tell me I was being ridiculous. Instead, he said, “I could take you shopping

at the movie theater.”

Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 34

“You want to take

it. It’ll come out of his paycheck, of course.” He paused,

real reason. Not because he actually cared about my feelings or

dangerous part of me had softened at his offer, but I quickly hardened it again. I couldn’t keep doing this to myself this constant cycle of hope and disappointment. Alexander

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

drove us to an upscale boutique in the center of town. The moment we stepped inside, the

honor to have you

politely while 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

course! I have several options that would look absolutely stunning on you, Luna.

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

thought bitterly. He could at least try to

such exquisite taste,” the saleswoman told me, pulling me from my thoughts as she held up a blush–prink taffeta cocktail dress. “I’m

at that. Alexander didn’t care what I wore as long as it didn’t embarrass him in public. But I just smiled and nodded, not

a scene.

ushered me toward the fitting rooms. Alexander didn’t look up as we

disinterest. “Perhaps Alpha Alexander would like to

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

in the saleswoman’s eyes. She had probably been expecting

like… this.

but he still made time to bring me here, even if he has to answer emails on

seem terribly convinced. “Of course. Well, here’s your fitting