The sickened luna’s last chance

Ella & Alexander

Ella

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The charity auction was everything I’d expected it to be–packed with socialites who were all dressed to the nines, elegant white linens and crystal chandeliers, and tables full of auction items lining the walls.

Alexander and I had been making the rounds for about an hour, his hand never moving away from its position on my lower back as we moved from table to table, examining the various items up for bid.

A weekend getaway to the mountains. A vintage wine collection. A private dinner with a celebrity chef.

All of it felt hollow and meaningless when so many other couples were bidding on the more intimate options, and all the while I was wearing a fake mark and pretending to be madly in love with a man who could barely stand to touch me.

“Smile,” Alexander murmured in my ear as a photographer approached. “Look interested in the jewelry.”

I plastered on my Luna smile and leaned closer to examine a diamond tennis bracelet on the table in front

of me. The photographer snapped a few pictures, and I made sure to angle my neck so the fake mark was clearly visible.

Just another performance in our endless charade.

Once the photographer grew tired of us, we moved to the next table, where Alexander struck up a

conversation with another Alpha about some business deal while I perused a collection of rare antique

books. I was actually reading the spines, trying to find something that Lilith might like, when I felt something slam into me from behind.

I stumbled forward, catching myself against the edge of the table, but I felt something catch on the corner

and snap against my neck. The delicate chain of Lilith’s locket broke, and I watched in horror as the piece of jewelry fell to the floor.

“Oh my Goddess, I’m so sorry!”

I turned to find Sophia standing behind me. She was wearing a stunning red dress, and her blonde hair was

swept up into an elaborate style.

“I didn’t see you there,” she said. “How clumsy of me!”

Before I could react, she stepped forward as if to help, but her heel came down directly on Lilith’s locket with a sickening crunch.

“No!” I gasped, hand flying to my throat as I stared down at the necklace. The delicate engravings were

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11:30 Sat, 23 Aug

Chapter 59

and dented beyond repair, and the chain

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family heirloom. Generations of history, crushed under the heel of

night.

completely ruined, isn’t it?” Sophia said airily. “What a shame. It looked

Quaint.

she’d

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look Sophia directly in the eye. For a moment, I seriously considered slapping that smug expression right off

glasses of champagne. Causing a scene at a charity auction wouldn’t help anyone,

clenching my hand into a fist

to the tables around us. “Well, at least you’re surrounded by plenty of jewelry to replace

with.”

myself to respond to that. Without another word, I turned and stalked away, weaving through the crowd toward the bathroom. I could feel Alexander’s eyes on me, but I didn’t look back.

with Sophia anyway–he always

empty when I reached it. I locked the door

fall.

had these days, the symbol of someone’s

destroyed.

to pull myself together. I had to go back out there, of course. People would

tilted sideways. My knees went weak, and I had to grab the edge of the sink to keep

before.

the cold marble until my knuckles went white, waiting for the dizziness to pass. My reflection in the mirror looked pale and drawn, and for a terrifying moment, I wondered if this was it. If

room stopped spinning. I managed to steady myself, although my hands were still trembling. I splashed cold water on my face, careful not to ruin my makeup, and took

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Chapter 59

that smile back on and

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Alexander

pick up the broken pieces of the

a family heirloom. Ella was so upset she had just run

picking it up.

motioning my Beta over. When he reached me, I handed him the broken pieces of the locket. “Take

as he looked at the damaged silver. “It’s pretty badly damaged, Alpha. Are you sure it

recalling the moment I had overheard

and pocketed the necklace. “Very well. I’ll take it to the jewelry

“Good.”

found myself wandering aimlessly through the auction displays, my

jewelry. Most of it was too flashy for Ella’s tastes, but one

gifts from me. Our relationship was contractual and temporary. I had no business buying her presents on a whim like