The sickened luna’s last chance

Ella & Alexander

Ella

Dr. Evelyn’s examination was thorough, checking everything from my pulse to my reflexes to the fresh mark

on my neck. Every test came back better than it had in months.

“Your wolf’s return has completely reversed the dormancy effects,” she said, making notes on her clipboard.

“Your heart rate is strong, your blood pressure is normal, and even the pregnancy seems to be progressing

healthily. The marking worked perfectly.”

I couldn’t stop smiling. For the first time in months, I felt like myself again.

Just with… a little bit extra.

Like that pulse that wasn’t my own, but rather the one steadily thrumming in my mate’s chest.

“Finally,” my wolf purred, stretching as if waking up from a long nap, which was technically true. “I was

starting to think you’d never figure it out.”

“You disappeared on me for months,” I bit back. Using the mental bond we shared after all this time felt like slipping back into a favorite old pair of shoes. “I thought you were gone forever.”

“I was protecting us. Better to go dormant than live a life where our mate won’t mark us.” That familiar smugness in her voice hadn’t gone away during her dormancy, it seemed. “But look how well that worked out. Now we’re marked and there’s a pup on the way.”

“You’re so dramatic.”

“I prefer the term ‘strategic?”

Dr. Evelyn finished her examination and handed me a clean bill of health. “Everything looks perfect, Luna

Ella. You and the baby should be fine now.”

The baby. Our baby. Alexander’s baby.

As Lilith drove us home, the euphoria of having my wolf back began to fade slightly, replaced by a more

sobering reality. Yes, Alexander had marked me. Yes, he’d saved our child’s life and cured my condition. But

that didn’t mean he loved me.

on my neck, still tender from Alexander’s bite. He’d done this out of duty,

that. I couldn’t let my heart get broken all

Even if it was complicated, at

could see Gabriel waiting on

behind us. The moment I

zeroed in on my

confusion to shock to something

Gabriel said as we approached the front door. “Looks like someone finally

wanted.”

I stopped

convenient timing, isn’t it? Right after

no idea what you’re

long game here. Poor, sick Luna, wasting away because her cruel husband won’t mark her. What

is involved?”

this time, instead of feeling weak and helpless, I felt powerful. My wolf snarled in

the mansion with enough force to

windpipe.

anyone into anything. Alexander marked me because he chose to, not because! somehow tricked him into

strength was flowing through me, making me feel like I could take on anyone who dared to disrespect me. And unlike before the dormancy, I was no longer the meek and mild

was different now. Stronger, not just physically, but

I wouldn’t let the likes of Gabriel walk

deserve as your Luna.” I pressed him harder against the door. Not enough to crush his windpipe, but just enough to cut off a bit of air. Just enough to make him

pulling me against his chest as I dissolved into tears. I buried

couldn’t do it,” I sobbed against his shirt. “I was lying there and

his arms tightening around me. “It’s

don’t

forcing me to meet his eyes. “I found the test. And the pamphlet.” His thumbs brushed away my tears. “I don’t want you to have an abortion. I want us to raise this

shock

bond properly. I want to give you the

chest so fierce it was almost painful. Maybe Alexander had finally realized he loved me. Maybe our night together had meant as much

of course,” Alexander continued, and my heart immediately sank. “It will need to

baby’s life, Alexander was thinking about legal documents and binding agreements. Not love. Not the family we

least he didn’t hate me. At least he

way to save

said without hesitation. “Yes,

Once I mark

alternative–watching our child grow up knowing their father had rejected us both, or worse, not growing up at all

“I’m sure.”

few other people scattered throughout the space, but he didn’t seem to