The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 60

Ella

It happened again.

I was walking toward Alexander when my knees suddenly buckled beneath me for a second time. This time, Thad nothing to catch myself on, and I felt myself pitching forward toward the marble floor.

But strong arms caught me before I could hit the ground. Alexander’s hands moved across my waist, gently tugging me up and into his embrace.

“Are you alright?”

I blinked, trying to clear the dark spots that had appeared in my vision. When my sight returned, I saw green eyes staring down at me with concern, and then it hit me–I was pressed firmly against Alexander’s sturdy chest, palms splayed across the firm muscles, the scent of bourbon and woodfire smoke so strong it blotted out all else.

My heart pounded. Stupid, traitorous little thing.

“1-1, um…1’m not feeling so well…” I started to respond, but then, over Alexander’s shoulder, I saw Gabriel watching from across the room. His mouth was set in that familiar disapproving line.

Immediately, I snapped my mouth shut, biting my tongue. Gabriel was waiting for me to show weakness.

Waiting for me to prove that I was the weak, pathetic excuse for a Luna that he thought I was.

Maybe it was juvenile of me, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“I’m fine,” I recovered quickly, stepping back. “My shoes are just killing me. These heels are way too high.”

It was a believable excuse. Every woman at this event was wearing ridiculously tall heels, and I’d certainly complained about sore feet before. Alexander’s eyes searched my face for a moment, and it seemed like he

wasn’t entirely convinced, but he didn’t push it.

“Actually,” he said, reaching into his jacket pocket, “I have something that might cheer you up.”

I frowned, watching as he pulled out a small velvet jewelry box. “What’s that?”

“I saw it at one of the auction tables and thought of you.” He opened the box to reveal a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny cherry blossom charm dangling from it. “I know it can’t replace what you lost tonight,

but…”

My breath caught. The bracelet was beautiful–simple and elegant, perfectly feminine and understated while having enough shine to it to catch the eye. The cherry blossom charm was perfectly detailed, each tiny petal etched painstakingly into the silver.

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didn’t

He lifted the bracelet from the box and gently took my wrist, fastening the clasp with careful fingers. The metal was cool

Alexander had bought this for me. He’d

might make me feel better after what happened with Lilith’s locket. Maybe he did care about me, at least a

thought, a camera flash went off nearby, followed by

back down around me.

the photographers circling us like vultures and decided this

jewelry to replace what was lost. It was exactly the kind of image his

face go blank as I looked up

noticed the

smile as more cameras flashed, lifting my wrist so the bracelet was clearly

long it would take for the photos to hit social media, complete with captions about

we were.

inside?” Alexander asked. “I think they’re about to

and let him guide me back toward the

was beautiful, but suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I even

the evening passed in a blur. Alexander and I bid

to show that we were participating. I made small talk with other Lunas about charitable causes

pack politics.

exhaustion grew more

but I certainly felt like I might. My knees were weak, my back sore, my head

though, I managed to stay upright–if only to spite

of the meal portion of

as I picked

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11:31 Sat, 23 Aug

Chapter 60

“You look like hell.”

up to find Sophia standing beside our table with a champagne flute in her hand and that

somewhere.

me?” I

She leaned in, dropping her voice to a whisper. “…Bloated. Are you feeling alright? You’re not… expecting, are

tightened around my fork. Was she seriously asking if I was pregnant? As if she hadn’t stirred up enough trouble already

said, slamming my fork down so hard it rattled the table and made nearby guests jump. “And maybe next time you insult another woman’s appearance, you should look in the mirror. That dress

me. But we were surrounded by too

I grit my teeth and picked up my