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,” I called out. “It’s me. Open

lock. The door flew open, and Sophia launched herself into my arms, soaking wet and sobbing. She slammed into me so hard that I stumbled backward, catching myself

cried, burying her face in my chest. “You

08:38 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 37

CGAT

my 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

was acting,

Sophia’s embrace and held her

need

at her eyes. “Yes, of course. Mommy, Daddy, could you give

nodding and retreating down the hall. Once

do

widened. “What do you mean? I

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

since you

stop it. “Because you fucking endangered innocent people at that bonfire for a ‘prank‘, which, for the record, I don’t think was a prank at

“I would never-

here tonight because, despite everything, you’re still my friend and I didn’t want to see you

lip trembled. “What

this anymore. Either you get your emotions in check and start

“You

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

me in shock. For once, she seemed to have no words. Maybe that was for

said, turning on my heel. “I have an event

think about how satisfying it felt to refer to

Sophia

front door slamming, then the sound of Alex’s

Actually leaving. To

was supposed to go. Alex was supposed to stay, to comfort her, to realize how much she needed him.

08:38 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 37

if that was all

slipped inside. There was a moment of silence. Sophia sank down onto the edge of

John said with a grunt of disapproval.