The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 111

Ella

It happened again.

I was walking toward Alexander when my knees suddenly buckled beneath me for a second time. This time, I had 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… I’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 y 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.

it was juvenile of me, but I wouldn’t give im the

stepping back. “My shoes are just killing me. These heels are way too

complained about sore feet before.

reaching into his jacket pocket, “I have something

watching as he pulled out a small

at one of the auction tables and thought of you.” He opened the box to reveal a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny cherry

bracelet was beautiful-suple and elegant, perfectly

1/2

Chapter III

cherry blossom charm

didn’t have

and gently took my wrist, fastening the clasp with careful fingers. The metal was cool against my skin, contrasting sharply with the heat of his hand, and the charm caught the light from the chandeliers

me. He’d seen it and thought of me, thought it might

that thought, a camera flash went off nearby, followed by another, and reality crashed back

and decided this would make a perfect photo op. The devoted husband comforting his wife after an unfortunate accident, buying her jewelry to replace what was lost. It was exactly the kind of image

blank as I looked up at him. “Thank you.