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.”

tonight. Remaining by one another’s sides. Smiling for the cameras. Showing off the mating mark and my belly, although it was

despite everything, our marriage was purely

carpet together, ignoring the questions from the press about my pregnancy and our

Alpha Council had pulled out all the stops for this event–crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths, centerpieces containing roses and gold accents. The most powerful wolves in the territory were all

what surprised me was the reaction we got when

we passed. Heads whipped our way, fans lifted to conceal

us.

1/3

Mon, 25

Chapter 88

my arm, and suddenly, the bond between us flared to life, (bit back a gasp as

we’re the star couple

of Alexander’s voice in my mind sent a shiver scuttling up my spine, and the sensation of his

going to be easier said than done. If he used our mindlink like that too often, I might melt right at his feet like the lovesick, pregnant

was.

a puddle every time I use

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

“Right…”

our way toward the refreshments table, a young woman in a pale 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 needed him most… it’s like

no clue who this woman was, but I managed a smile at her praise. “Thank you. That’s

baby!” She clasped

at my

“How are you feeling? You’re

wasn’t a

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

glanced at Alexander, who

wasn’t he? Watching me

my cheek, deciding that

me

his head tilted, red hair falling across

been incredibly thoughtful,” I sighed dreamily, touching his arm with one hand while I touched my necklace with the other. “He showers me with

eyes widened. “He gave you that