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.”

Helen to step aside. “Sophia,”

a moment of silence, then the click of a lock. The door flew open, and Sophia launched herself into my arms, soaking

her face in my chest. “You came. You

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Chapter 37

CGAT

arms around her. But as I held her, something fell off. I couldn’t explain it maybe it was the perfectly overflowing bathtub in 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

acting, wasn’t

embrace

we need

wiping at her eyes. “Yes, of course.

and Helen exchanged a glance before nodding and retreating down the hall.

the hell do you think you’re

“What do

not suicidal. You’re fishing for attention like a teenager with a crush, and you even terrorized your poor parents just to get me to come

you accused me of all those horrible things. You’ve been avoiding me, pushing

slipped out before I could stop it. “Because you fucking endangered innocent people at that bonfire for a ‘prank‘, which, for the record, I

“I would never-

silencing her. “I don’t want to hear it. I came here tonight because, despite everything, you’re still my friend and I didn’t want to see you hurt. But this

lower lip trembled.

your emotions in check and start behaving like the adult you’re supposed to be, or

“You don’t mean

Hopefully my suit would dry on the way there. “And if you ever pull a stunt like this again, I’ll have you institutionalized

in shock. For once, she seemed to have no words. Maybe

my heel. “I have an

how satisfying it felt to refer to Ella as my mate

Sophia

slamming, then the sound of

To go to

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

08:38 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 37

that was all she

her parents slipped inside. There was a moment of silence.

with a