The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Ella

The restaurant was packed with the elite of Ashclaw. Every table was filled with pack members in their finest clothes, all pretending not to stare at us even though I knew they were all glancing at us out of the corners of their eyes. I could practically feel their eyes burning holes into my neck as we made our way to our table.

Alexander pulled out my chair with a flourish, leaning close to whisper in my ear, “Smile. Everyone’s watching.”

I plastered on my best Luna smile, the one I’d perfected over five years of pretending. Lately, it felt like even more of a mask that was too tight, stretching and cracking across the scowl I was wearing underneath.

As we settled into our seats, I couldn’t help but compare this charade to our chess games in the hospital. Those moments had been surprisingly… real. Alexander’s smile had been radiant, his laughter like music to

my ears.

Nothing at all like this. Nothing at all like the fake smiles and false loving looks we wore now.

Strangely, looking back at the days when we had put on our act before my visit to the hospital, it had been so much easier. It was still difficult, but not nearly as painful as this. Almost as if those rare moments of happiness in the hospital had made me realize all the more exactly what I was missing.

The waiter appeared with menus a moment later. His eyes immediately flitted to my neck, where the fake mark was still on prominent display. “Good evening, Alpha, Luna. May I say, it’s an honor to serve you both tonight.”

As the waiter poured our wine, his gaze kept flicking down to my mark. I knew he was dying to say something. The whole tri–pack area was buzzing with the news by now. They were all wondering why I hadn’t been seen with a mark in five years, only to suddenly step out in public with one the very same day the media leak had happened.

“Your mark,” he finally blurted out, then immediately flushed. “I’m sorry, Luna. That was inappropriate.”

This was my cue. Alexander and I had rehearsed what I should say if anyone mentioned the mark. I took a

small sip of wine and smiled shyly.

“It’s alright,” I said softly. “I’ve always been a bit… embarrassed by it. That’s why I covered it with makeup for so long. But I’ve realized now that all those pictures came out that it was silly. It’s nothing to be ashamed

of.”

smile. “Not at all, Luna! It’s beautiful. A mark

the most natural thing in

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Chapter 57

would appear absolutely adoring to anyone watching. Anyone except me. “Yes,” I agreed, turning back to the

you’re showing it proudly,” the waiter said, beaming at us.

moment with the menus. If only he knew the truth, I thought bitterly. If only he knew that the “perfect pair” was

murmured once the waiter was out of

replied without

interminably. Alexander and I made small talk, discussing safe topics like the weather and pack events, always with a layer of artificiality that made me want to scream. Occasionally, he might reach across the table to take my hand, or brush

traitorous body responded, heart quickening, skin warming.

it was real. Alexander didn’t love me, didn’t want me. He was only using me to salvage his reputation so his campaign could go on without a hitch. And I was only going along with it because I needed him to reject

the time we finished dessert, my face was sore from smiling and my head was throbbing from the strain of maintaining the facade. All I wanted was to go home,

than I expected. “You look tired,”

“It’s been a long week.” I hadn’t even had a full day at home after being discharged from the hospital before we had to do this. But we had to act quickly before the media shitstorm got

mercifully silent. Alexander didn’t try to continue our performance, for which I was grateful. I leaned my head back against the headrest and shut my eyes for most of the ride, too tired to keep

arrived home, I kicked off my heels

then go to bed,” I said, already heading for the

for

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Chapter 57

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my jewelry, leaving them in a pile on the floor. I’d deal with them tomorrow. Right now, all I wanted was

generous amount of cherry vanilla bath oil that Lilith had given me as a welcome–home gift. As the tub filled, I caught sight of myself in