The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 36

Ella

1 froze on the staircase, my fingers curling tightly around the banister. “What do you mean

Alexander won’t be attending?”

Gabriel’s sneer deepened. “Sophia called. She needed him for something urgent.” He shrugged as if it were obvious. “So he decided not to go tonight”

A knife twisted in my chest. I should have known that even after everything, Alexander would drop it all the moment Sophia called to him, but it still hurt.

“I see,” I said evenly, descending the remaining steps. “I take it he couldn’t be bothered to tell me himself, so he sent his minion?”

“He’s busy.” Gabriel’s eyes flicked over my dress again. “Well, at least you won’t need to wear that dress now since you’re canceling”

“Who said I was canceling?”

Gabriel blinked. “You can’t possibly be planning to go alone.”

“And why not?” I grabbed my clutch from the entryway table. “My name was on the invitation too, you know. Not just Alexander’s.”

“It wouldn’t look right for the Luna to attend without her Alpha. Think of the impact it’ll have on his campaign.”

I almost laughed at that. As if Alexander gave a damn how it would “look” for either of us when he abandoned me for Sophia. As if he ever considered my feelings in any of this. It was just about how he looked at all times.

In the past, perhaps I would have simply nodded and retreated back upstairs. No, not “perhaps“-similar situations had happened before, and I had chosen to stay home.

I would have changed out of my dress, washed off my makeup, and spent the night alone while Alexander was off doing Goddess–knows–what with Sophia or anyone else whose company he preferred over mine.

I would have been the perfect, understanding Luna, sacrificing her own happiness for her Alpha’s.

But not tonight. Not anymore.

I was done letting Alexander dictate my life. I was done letting him make me miserable. I had put effort into getting ready for this party. I was looking forward to visiting my old home. And I wouldn’t let him ruin that for me.

“Lilith!” I called out, my voice echoing through the foyer. “Lilith, are you home?”

A moment later, Lilith appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishcloth. “Yes? What is it?”

“Would you like to come to that party with me tonight? The one at Stormhollow?”

Lilith’s eyes widened, darting between me and Gabriel like a deer caught in headlights. “Oh! I… well, I’m not dressed for-”

“I don’t mind waiting for you to get changed,” I assured her. “Please? I’d really appreciate the company.”

Lilith hesitated for another moment, but then nodded. “Give me ten minutes to freshen up.”

She hurried upstairs, leaving me alone with Gabriel once more. His face had darkened with each passing second, and when I turned back to look at him noticed that his cheeks were trembling with rage.

alone again. “You can’t go parading around

blood boiled.

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Chapter 36

That dress is inappropriate enough with Alexander present. Without him, you’re just asking

was the same feeling I’d had at the theater, when I’d finally stood up to him in front of everyone. And it

you’ve forgotten yourself, Beta,” I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, “so let me clarify: what I wear is none of your business. Where ! go is none of your business. And what I do with my time when my husband is too busy

“As Beta, it’s my duty

it’s your duty to show respect to your Luna.” I straightened my spine. “But since you seem incapable of that, perhaps you need a reminder of

hadn’t used my Luna Voice since that day

through my veins like acid, I couldn’t hold

until I

it again, but no

drive me to Stormhollow,” I continued firmly. “You will act as my silent chaperone for the evening, since apparently it’s so important

contorted with fury, but

“Nod if you understand.”

resistance,

as Lilith came hurrying back down the stairs, now dressed in a simple but elegant navy blue cocktail dress

breath. Then she noticed Gabriel’s thunderous

her with a grin. “Gabriel has kindly offered to drive us to Stormhollow and act as our chaperone for the evening. Isn’t that right,

glared at me but

turned back to Lilith, holding my arm out for her. “Shall we go,

the steering wheel the entire way, his jaw clenched so

to fill the awkward silence, but she was silent and tense most of the time as

was achingly familiar–the rolling hills, the dense forests, the winding river that cut

here,” Lilith remarked almost wistfully. “I’d

her a sidelong glance. “You’ve been to

hand dismissively. “Oh,

beautiful territory,” I said softly. “I used to run

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TUUC, PA༠J ESS

Chapter 36

remarried

my one

I held onto her fingers like a lifeline. We dayed the that, silent, until the car wound its way up the long, tree lined driveway that led to

within. The gardens weerd in full bloom even at

back before I realized that cherry

waiting by the driveway surged

me arriving with Alexander. Well, they would be sorely disappointed Perhaps Alexander would regret his decision to run to Sophia in the morning when the tabloids showed pictures of me

the car door for us. We stepped out into the flashing

as we made our way to the entrance. I didn’t bother answering any of the questions as to where

he chose Sophia over me. I figured he could see how his actions impacted his campaign and maybe, just

the massive oak doors swung open, revealing the grand foyer I’d known so well as a child. Crystal chandeliers. Wooden parquet floors that still creaked in all the places I remembered. A sweeping staircase led to

we entered the main ballroom. The moment we stepped through the archway, a hush

at last. But where was her