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.

“You can’t go parading

blood boiled. “Excuse

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Chapter 36

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

something dark and powerful surging through me. It was the same feeling I’d had at the theater, when I’d finally stood up to him in front of everyone. And it felt

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 with his precious

“As Beta,

Beta, 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 exactly

Voice since that

this moment, with rage burning through my veins like acid, I

will be silent until I

shut, his eyes widening in shock. He tried to open it again, but no sound came out. Panic

chaperone for the evening, since apparently it’s so important to you. And as my chaperone, you will not cause

fury, but he remained

“Nod if you understand.”

moment of rigid resistance, Gabriel jerked

but elegant navy blue

said, slightly out of breath. Then she noticed Gabriel’s thunderous expression. “Is everything

kindly offered to drive us to Stormhollow and act as our chaperone for the evening.

at me

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

and silent. Gabriel white–knuckled the steering wheel the

inconsequential things to fill the awkward silence, but she was

the dense forests, the winding river that cut through the heart of the pack land. I hadn’t

Lilith remarked almost wistfully.

her a sidelong glance. “You’ve

cheeks reddened, and she waved her hand dismissively. “Oh,

softly. “I used to run through these woods as a child. It was

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TUUC, PA༠J ESS

Chapter 36

were the days before everything went to shit. Before my father remarried Before my half brother w born. Before I was forced

my one year

in mood. She didn’t say anything–just reached over and squeezed my hand. I held onto her fingers like a lifeline. We dayed the that, silent, until the car wound its way up the long, tree

within. The gardens weerd in full bloom even at nighttime, a

realized that cherry blossoms smelled far sweeter

waiting by the driveway surged forward, cameras

of them had been tipped off specifically to catch me arriving with Alexander. Well, they would be sorely disappointed Perhaps Alexander would regret his decision to run to Sophia

us. We stepped out into the flashing lights, Lilith and I arm in arm, Gabriel trailing sullenly

photographers immediately caught onto the fact that Alexander wasn’t with us, but I kept my head high and my expression neutral as we made our way to the entrance. I didn’t bother answering any of the questions as to where my husband was. I also didn’t try to quell

it was time for him to face the consequences. It wasn’t my fault that he chose Sophia over me. I figured he could see how his actions impacted his campaign and maybe, just maybe,

open, revealing the grand foyer I’d known so well as a child. Crystal chandeliers. Wooden parquet floors that still

entered the main ballroom. The moment we

could practically hear their thoughts. The Alpha’s daughter, returned at last. But where was