The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 182

Alexander

Watching Ella sneak past me with our team’s flag clutched in her jaws had been one hell of a sight. I’d given chase out of obligation more than anything else, but seeing her silver–gray form streaking through the woods with that competitive fire blazing in her eyes had stirred something in my chest that I wasn’t prepared for.

She’d always been beautiful. I could never deny that, even during the days of our marriage that I had been completely hell bent on keeping my distance from her.

But seeing this spirited side of her was something else entirely.

This was my mate.

My wolf purred with pride as I watched her team celebrate their victory. She belonged to us, and she was strong. Every part of me wanted to claim that strength, to show her what I really thought of her, just as I had almost done that night in the kitchen.

But then Thomas Black’s words echoed in my head, and the warmth in my chest turned cold.

Her parents were using her to get closer to me.

I’d been trying not to think about the investigation. But it was getting harder and harder to ignore the evidence, especially when moments like this made me realize just how much I’d started to care about her.

When had that happened? When had my hatred for Ella turned into something that felt suspiciously like…

No. I didn’t even want to think about that four–letter word. Not until I knew for certain just who she really

was.

I needed Thomas to find something concrete, and I needed it soon. Because much more of this and I was going to do something monumentally stupid.

After dealing with a minor event crisis, just a mix–up between vendors, I scanned the crowd, looking for Ella. She wasn’t standing where I’d left her, and I couldn’t resist the urge to sigh exasperatedly. Of course she wouldn’t sit down and rest.

The sound of lively music caught my attention next, and I followed the sound, weaving between families and campaign volunteers, until I spotted the source. A small group of women had formed an impromptu dance circle on the grass, their skirts swirling as they moved to the rhythm. And right in the center of it all was Ella.

stopped dead in

1

seen her like this. In five years of

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Chapter 182

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times.

was something else

as she spun, arms raised above her head, face tilted toward the setting sun. Her hair had come loose from its style, and the golden light caught the strands as they flew around her shoulders. But it was her smile that stopped me cold–radiant and

free, and the sight of it felt like someone had just punched me square in

big reason as to why she’d never looked like

cruelty at times… All of it had slowly drained the light from her eyes

years.

glimpses of who she must have been before her

a real relationship between us, made

the sun on her face without worrying about campaign appearances or Luna duties or pleasing a

unwelcome obligation.

didn’t want to interrupt or remind her of all the complicated shit hanging between us. I wanted to watch her be happy, even if I couldn’t be the

of it.

there like an idiot at the edge of the circle, and her face lit

toward me, grabbing my hands

“Ella, I don’t think-”

already pulling me into the circle.

Just dancing. Right.

had no fucking clue how to do this kind of dancing. Formal waltzes at state dinners

this close to Ella, with Thomas Black’s accusations still ringing in my ears and the memory of that kitchen kiss burning between us, felt

her smile was so bright it made my chest ache, and my wolf was practically howling with joy at being close to

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Chapter 182