The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Ella

The midnight blue gown fit me just as perfectly now as it did that day in the shop. I smoothed my hands over the bodice one last time, turning this way and that and watching as the skirt flared around my legs and the diamond necklace Alexander had given me glinted around my neck.

I looked like a Luna. More than that, I looked like someone who belonged on the arm of a future Alpha King.

Too bad none of it was real…

Right?

Lately, I wasn’t so sure. Things felt… different since that day in the vault. I didn’t know where exactly Alexander and I stood anymore. Lovers? Partners? Still enemies? Or something else entirely?

“Ella, are you ready?” Alexander’s voice called from outside the door. I jumped slightly at the sound and turned to go.

“Coming!” I called out, and it was then that my eyes caught something behind the dresser. Something small and dainty.

I bent to see what it was, and my eyebrows shot up when I saw the tiny bracelet that I’d thrown there months ago in anger. My breath caught as I carefully picked it up, flicking some of the cobwebs off.

Seeing the little bracelet now, knowing that it had been Alexander’s way of showing me he cared more than he let on, made my chest turn warm with an emotion I hardly dared name. Without thinking, I clasped the bracelet around my wrist and hurried out of the room.

Alexander was waiting for me in the corridor, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets. When he saw me coming, he straightened, green sweeping across me with what looked like appreciation.

“Beautiful.” The word came out so simply and matter–of–factly that it made my chest flutter, and when I moved to walk by him, he grabbed my wrist and held it up to inspect the bracelet. “I didn’t know you kept this.”

I quickly looked away, cheeks warming. “Yes, well… You seem to like showering me with jewelry lately.”

Alexander didn’t respond to that, although as we made our way downstairs and out to the waiting car, I couldn’t help but notice what almost looked like a faint smile tugging at his lips.

As we pulled up to the entrance of the banquet hall where the party would be held tonight, I could see the crowd of reporters and photographers already gathered outside. Flashes started going off the moment our car stopped.

“Here we go,” Alexander muttered under his breath. “Stick to the plan.”

I recalled the “plan” we’d discussed for tonight. Remaining by one another’s sides. Smiling for the cameras. Showing off the mating mark and my belly, although it was still flat, as

that despite everything, our

flashing faster. I took Alexander’s offered arm and we walked up the red carpet together, ignoring the questions from the press about my pregnancy and our relationship but stopping occasionally to make sure they got a few

Alpha Council had pulled out all the stops for this event–crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths, centerpieces containing

surprised me was the

fans lifted to conceal whispers, and a few daring guests even pointed directly

us.

1/3

Mon, 25

Chapter 88

the bond between us flared to life, (bit back a gasp as his voice slipped into my mind

star couple of the

scuttling up my spine, and the sensation of his hand on the

easier said than done. If he used our mindlink like that too often, I might melt right at

was.

turn into a puddle every time I use the

snapped back, “It’s still new. I just need to get used to

“Right…”

pink dress approached us. “Luna Ella! I just had to tell you, your love story is absolutely magical. The way Alpha Alexander marked you at the hospital when you

this woman was, but I managed a smile at her praise.

baby!” She clasped her

at my

are you feeling?

at least, wasn’t a lie. “Alexander’s been taking

he is. When I saw those maternity photos… Goddess, the way he looks

Alexander, who was watching that a smirk tugging at

wasn’t he? Watching

of my cheek, deciding that

me

hair falling across his fo

sighed dreamily, touching his arm with one hand while I touched my necklace with the other. “He showers me with gifts even though I tell him I don’t need

eyes widened. “He gave you