The sickened luna’s last chance

Alexander & Sophia

Alexander

I adjusted my tie one last time, checking my reflection in the mirror. The black suit I’d chosen for the evening was impeccable, tailored to perfection because it had to be.

After all, this wasn’t just any party. This was our first time visiting Stormhollow as a couple since the wedding. I needed to look my best, especially with all the rumors flying around.

And with Ella in that dress… I tried not to think about it. Tried not to think about how I’d have to keep my arm around her all night to prevent other males from looking.

Tried not to think about how my wolf bristled with excitement at the very thought of spending the entire evening glued to my mate’s side.

Just then, my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. I pulled it from my pocket, frowning when I saw John Oxford’s name on the screen.

“John,” I answered. “This isn’t a good time. I’m about to-

“Alexander, thank the Goddess!” John’s voice was frantic, bordering on hysterical. I’d never heard him like that before. “It’s Sophia. She’s gone completely off the rails!”

My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”

“She’s locked herself in the bathroom. She’s threatening to… Please, Alexander, she’s not listening to reason. She’ll only talk to you.”

“John, I’m about to leave for an important event with Ella. Can’t you-”

“She’s saying she’ll slit her wrists if you don’t come right now.” John’s voice cracked. “Please, Alexander. I know we’ve had our differences lately, but this is Sophia we’re talking about. Your oldest friend.”

Fuck. This was the last thing I needed tonight. But if Sophia was truly threatening to harm herself…

“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” I said, already moving toward the door., “Try to keep her calm until then.”

I hung up and grabbed my car keys from the dresser. There wasn’t time to explain everything to Ella; Gabriel would have to take her to the party, and I’d meet them there once 1 dealt with Sophia.

John was waiting outside the sprawling Oxford manor when I pulled up, pacing frantically on the front steps. He practically yanked me from the car before I even had a chance to pull the key out of the ignition.

“Thank the Goddess you’re here, Alex,” he said, pulling me toward the house. “She’s upstairs. Helen’s been trying to talk her down, but she’s not having any of it.”

I followed him through the familiar halls of the Oxford home and up the grand staircase to Sophia’s wing–yes, she had a whole wing to herself that was practically a separate home in its own right. Helen was standing outside the bathroom door with tears streaming down her face.

“Sophia, darling, please,” she was saying over the sound of rushing water within. “Alex is here now. Please come out.”

for Helen to step aside.

open, and Sophia launched herself into my

cried, burying her face in my chest. “You came.

08:38 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 37

CGAT

the background, or the sheer white nightgown that was clinging to her skin, of the pristine black streaks of mascara on her face as if she’d put them there,

acting,

embrace and held her at

need to talk.

“Yes, of course. Mommy, Daddy,

nodding and retreating down the hall. Once they were gone, I fixed Sophia with a hard

hell do you think

eyes widened. “What do

fishing for attention like a teenager with a crush, and you even terrorized your poor parents just to get me

crumpled. “How can you say that? I’ve been so distraught since you accused me of all those

tried to hurt my mate,” I growled. The word ‘mate‘ slipped out before I could stop it. “Because you fucking endangered innocent people at that bonfire for a ‘prank‘, which, for

“I would never-

her. “I don’t want to hear it. I came here tonight because, despite everything, you’re

trembled.

mean that I won’t take this anymore. Either you get your emotions in check and start behaving like the adult

gasped. “You don’t

might still make it to the party in time to join Ella. Hopefully my suit would dry on the way there. “And if you ever pull a stunt like this again, I’ll have you institutionalized for your own

me in shock. For once, she seemed to

heel.

response, nor did I pause to think about how satisfying it felt to refer to Ella as my mate and wife

Sophia

slamming, then the sound of Alex’s car starting

Actually leaving. To go to that

was supposed to stay, to comfort her, to realize how much she needed him. Instead, he’d seen right through her act and

08:38 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 37

As if that was all she

a moment of silence. Sophia

John said with a grunt of disapproval.