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?

it aside. Nothing seemed to reflect the person I wanted to be now. It all belonged to a version of me I

are you doing?” Alexander’s voice made me jump, and I turned to find him standing behind

said, turning back to face the mirror. I held up a burnt orange dress with a high neckline and long sleeves, then shook my head and tossed it aside before reaching for another on

pile of discarded dresses on the floor,

They don’t

Instead, he

at the movie theater.”

Tue, 19

Chapter 34

want to

his paycheck, of course.” He paused, then added, “Besides, is would look good for us to be seen out together again. Especially after what happened

he actually cared about my feelings or my ruined dress, but

small, 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 wasn’t going to

without any issues, get divorced, awaken ray wolf, and then live

in the center of town. The moment we stepped inside, the saleswoman recognized us and

Alpha Alexander! What an honor to have

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 cocktail

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

the racks while chattering excitedly about fabrics and colors. Alexander remained seated, and whenever I glanced at him, he was just looking at his

thought bitterly. He could

me from my thoughts as she held up a blush–prink taffeta cocktail dress. “I’m sure he’ll love seeing you in

at that. Alexander didn’t care what I wore as long as it didn’t embarrass him in public. But

a scene.

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

apparent disinterest. “Perhaps Alpha Alexander would like to give his opinion

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

the flash of disappointment in the saleswoman’s eyes. She had probably been expecting us to

like… this.

a smile. “He’s busy today, but he still made time to bring me here, even

terribly convinced. “Of course. Well, here’s your fitting room. I put the dresses you picked out