The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Ella

The following morning, I pulled out the napkin with Molly’s number and typed it into my phone. But as I began to write a message to her, my fingers hesitated over the keyboard.

Was I really going to do this? Just text her out of the blue and ask to hang out? It felt so… normal. So much unlike the sheltered life I’d been living all these years.

Fuck it, I thought. I was dying anyway, wasn’t I? Might as well live a little first.

“Hey Molly, it’s Ella. Had so much fun catching up last night. When are you free to hang out?”

I hit send before I could talk myself out of it. My phone pinged within two minutes.

“Tonight! I’m off work at 8. Ever been to The Howling Moon downtown? It’s karaoke night!”

I bit my lip. A bar. Karaoke. Two things I’d never experienced before. I thought back to the party at my parents‘ house, when my cousin Tara had invited me out. I’d declined then, choosing to stay with Alexander instead.

Fat lot of good that did me.

Without second guessing myself, I told Molly I would meet her there at nine–thirty. After that, I spent most of the day in a state of nervous anticipation. Liam was busy with council matters, so it would just be Molly and me. What would I do? What would I drink? What would I wear?

By the time eight o’clock rolled around, I found myself standing in front of my closet, hair already curled, makeup done, trying to decide what to wear. I wasn’t sure if I had anything suitable for a place like The Howling Moon, which was a dive

bar downtown.

༠

My eyes landed on the black dress from the store–the one that had made Alexander’s phone slip from his fingers.

No, too fancy for a bar. But maybe…

I pulled out a short black skirt I’d bought years ago but never had the courage to wear. Paired with a deep red top that showed just enough cleavage to be daring, and some black ankle boots I’d never worn, it might just work.

I slipped into the outfit and studied myself in the mirror. I barely recognized myself. My eyes were lined with black, my lips painted red, my curls wild and free. I looked confident, sexy.

Smiling faintly, I grabbed my purse and headed out, thankful that Alexander and Gabriel were nowhere to be found. The last thing I needed was to explain where was going or who I was meeting.

visited. From the outside, it looked unassuming–a simple brick building with a neon sign showing a wolf howling at a crescent moon. Music poured out every time the door

Was I really doing this? Going to a bar alone? What if someone recognized me? What if they thought I wasn’t behaving

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Chapter 44

“There you are!”

see Molly walking toward me, grinning widely. She was wearing ripped jeans and a cropped top that showed off her

you!” She whistled, circling me. “The Luna’s got legs for days! Your mate let you out of

but smile. “It’s

much.” Molly linked her arm through mine. “Ready

Howling Moon was dimly lit, with tables scattered around a small stage where a young and very drunk male was currently butchering a pop song

to the bar, “we need to buy a round of drinks. Something strong to get the night started. What do you

wine. And I only started doing that recently, because

eyes. “Well, you’re not a Luna tonight. Come on.

bartender, a tall man with tattoos covering his arms, smiled at us and leaned on

announced, causing the bartender’s eyebrows to

me with a grin.

“I have

On the house. It’s

next thirty minutes, I tried more drinks than I could count. Some burned

after trying something called a Rusty

my back. “Yeah, that one’s

of me. “Try this one. Blue Hawaiian. Coconut rum, blue

not too sweet, with a tropical flavor that made me feel like I had made it to my bucket list oceanside destination after all. “Oh my Goddess. This

winner,” the bartender said with

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Chapter 44

everything Molly said and everything outside the bar seemed to no longer exist. The space had filled up, and the karaoke had shifted from

said, leaning in close, “how’s married life treating you?

in my system lowered my inhibitions, and before I knew it, I was spilling everything–how cold Alexander had

married for five years,” I slurred, swirling my straw

never…”

widened. “Wait, are you saying you’re still a

miserably, heat flooding my cheeks. “Pathetic, right? I’m twenty–two years old, married, and

said softly. She reached over and took my hand, giving it a squeeze. Her fingers were soft and warm. “That’s