The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 58

Ella

65%

Alexander’s green eyes darkened as he knelt beside the bathtub. The spot where his hand met my shoulder

was like a thousand tiny matches being struck at once, igniting the warmth that had begun to spread

through my body.

His nostrils flared, and I knew he had scented it again.

My arousal.

This was exactly like the alley behind The Howling Moon all over again–that same magnetic pull, that same desperation. The way Alexander looked at me now, like he was starving and I was the only thing that could

fill his belly, made me want to forget everything else. Made me want to pull him into the tub with me and

finish what we’d started that night.

Without thinking, I shifted slightly, water sloshing around me as I leaned toward him. Alexander’s pupils dilated, and his free hand came up to brace against the edge of the tub, bringing his face closer to mine. I

could smell the bourbon on his breath, could see the way that one pesky muscle in his jaw jumped.

For a moment, the air between us crackled like a grassy field before a storm.

But then reality came crashing back.

This wasn’t love. This was lust, pure and simple. Biology and the fated mate bond working against my better judgment. Alexander had made it perfectly clear that our contract didn’t include sex or feelings, and I’d made the decision to stop wanting his mark.

I wouldn’t let myself be fooled again by my body’s reactions to him.

“What the hell are you doing?” I snapped, jerking away from his touch so quickly that more water slopped over the edge of the tub. I folded my arms over my chest in a futile attempt to cover my bare breasts. “Get

out!”

Alexander blinked, returning to his senses. He stood. “You were unconscious in the bathtub. I was making sure you didn’t drown.”

“Well, I’m fine, so you can leave. You have no right to be in here.”

Something flickered across Alexander’s face, but it was gone before I could be sure what I saw. He wiped his wet hand on his pants and looked down at me with that same cold expression he’d worn for years.

even,” he

I frowned. “What?”

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Chapter 58

P

now I’ve seen you

shift, every inch of his perfect body on display. I’d been so worried

I sputtered. “You were the one who shifted carelessly and tore your

the one who fell asleep in a

I could respond, he turned

I couldn’t help but replay the way he’d looked at me, the way his hand felt on me. For just a few seconds, I’d felt desired. Wanted. Like I was something worth having

wanted my body, and even that was debatable. It was probably just his wolf pulling

the lukewarm tub and wrapped

for any sign that my wolf might be stirring. After what had happened in the forest, Dr. Evelyn had suggested that strong

hollow emptiness I’d been carrying

still dormant.

next morning brought news that made my already sour mood even

charity auction?” I asked, staring at the invitation Gabriel had delivered

for months,” Alexander said without looking up

knew.”

The annual Ashclaw Children’s Hospital Charity Auction–quite the mouthful–was one of the biggest social events of the year. Everyone who was anyone would

pretending to be

fucking makeup to create

already I was exhausted. But Alexander and I needed to go to that event, especially with the recent media attention. It was a good opportunity

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Chapter 58

also a chance to quell some

the day passed quickly. I had to sit through another session with Lilith carefully applying the fake mark, each brush

perfect, my dress was stunning, and my smile was utterly bulletproof. I looked every inch the devoted Luna, complete with my

throat.

a

put

troubled.”

eyes in the mirror.

loose curls around my face. Then she stepped back