The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 40

Ella

Time seemed to stop. Alexander wasn’t kissing me, but with his cheek pressed firmly against mine like this, our faces were so close that to everyone else,

it must have looked like an intimate kiss.

And despite the lack of an actual kiss, being held like this in Alexander’s arms as he dipped me low made me feel like I was floating on clouds. His hand on my waist felt solid and secure. His breath was warm against my skin. His fingers gently dipping into the bare skin of my back felt both delicate and deliciously firm.

For a brief, ridiculous moment, I felt like a princess in some fairy tale, swooped off her feet by a handsome prince who was about to carry her away to his

castle.

If only we were a real couple. If only this wasn’t all just for show. If only this were a real kiss.

But it wasn’t real. None of it was real. And I was a fool for letting myself pretend, even for a second, that it might be.

Alexander pulled me back up smoothly, still holding me close. By now, the photographers were going wild, cameras flashing, clamoring to get a good shot of us together.

“That should give them something to talk about,” Alexander murmured, his lips brushing my ear as he spoke. I could only manage a tiny nod in response, although I inwardly chided myself for being so touched by the gesture.

For a little while, Alexander kept his arm around my waist as we moved through the crowd. Everywhere we went, people greeted us warmly, congratulating Alexander on his campaign, complimenting my dress, saying how beautiful our relationship was.

I forced myself to smile and nod, to play the part of the adoring Luna.

It was exhausting, even more so when I had to remind myself not to get too comfortable with the beautiful illusion.

Alexander played his part well, too. Perhaps a little too well. Every time I looked at him, he had that same handsome, charming smile plastered on his face–green eyes sparkling, creases around his mouth, sparkling white teeth.

It was a smile that I had seen on only a few occasions throughout our five years of marriage, one of those times being tonight when he told me he promised to stop paying my father.

Would he actually keep true to his promise, though? I doubted it–he was likely just saying that to shut me up for the night–but if he did, I would be grateful. My father didn’t deserve the money. And it would help me get out of at least one bind that I was in.

wouldn’t backfire spectacularly on me or

and quiet. I found a small alcove near the refreshment table and watched the party from a distance,

strangely quiet, though, clutching her champagne flute like her life depended on it. I figured

“There you are!”

I turned to find Tara approaching. She had her entourage behind

group of women with her. “Come with us!

glancing toward Alexander. He was still deep in conversation with the Alpha, and it didn’t seem like they were

part of me really wanted to go. To experience a normal night out like any other woman

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08:39 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 40

having

Alexander was

speculation about our marriage, It wouldn’t help his campaign at all, and since

But deep down, perhaps

after all,” I said, offering Tara an

Come on, Ella. Live a little before

than she could possibly know. Before it’s too

Before I died.

talking to that Alpha, but

that look in his eyes, his handsome form pressed into a well–tailored suit, red hair perfectly tousled, and

I swore I could still feel her deep inside of me,

time,” I said, turning back to Tara. “I just… I

you to that ‘another time.” She kissed my cheek

my chest. They looked so carefree, so… normal. A group of friends heading out for a

was like to dance in a club, to laugh with friends until sunrise, to live without the weight of everyone

“Ella.”

looking elegant as ever in her floor–length navy blue gown

a few feet away. She didn’t even glance at Lilith.

never complimented me in my life. Not once. She was certainly