The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 248

Ella

A creak in the floorboards behind me made me jerk my head up to find Alexander standing in the doorway, looking at me with a strange expression.

I quickly wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and forced a smile, hoping he hadn’t seen me crying. “Alex- Alpha Alexander. What do you need?”

Alexander stared at me for a moment longer, green eyes flickering with something I couldn’t decipher, then let out a sigh that made his shoulders sag. He looked even more exhausted than before.

“I…” He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Nothing. I’m going mad, I think. This whole week has been…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but my heart ached for him nonetheless. Despite everything, he had still lost his Luna and been left with a child all on his own. I couldn’t help but pity him for that.

“You should sit down,” I said, gesturing to the chair across from me. “You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

“I haven’t.” Alexander slumped into the chair. “I thought I’d be up for tonight’s banquet, but all the mingling and small talk and politics are making my lack of sleep catch up to me.”

I stood and propped Lucien on one hip. “Let me make you something. Warm milk with honey–it might help you sleep later.”

“You don’t need to-”

“It’s no trouble,” I said, pulling a mug from the cabinet. “Really.”

I warmed the milk on the stove, stirring in a generous spoonful of honey. The familiar ritual was soothing, reminding me of nights when Lilith had made the same drink for me during my pregnancy when the nausea and back pain became too much to handle.

Lucien had finished his bottle and was starting to drift off in my arms. I bounced him gently as I carried the mug over to Alexander.

my foot caught on the leg of the chair, and I stumbled forward. I prioritized my grip on Lucien, so the mug slipped from my hand, and hot milk splashed everywhere–across the table, onto

sorry. Let me clean it up.” “Stella.”

clutched in my shaking hand. This couldn’t happen. I couldn’t lose this

so clumsy,

around my wrist and stopped my

1/3

Chapter 248

+25 BONUS

floor, still holding Lucien against my chest with one arm. Alexander’s green eyes were soft, not angry like I’d expected. He helped me to my

enough that I could smell his famillar scent of bourbon and woodfire smoke beneath the sweet smell of spilled

throat bobbed. This was

needing to put some space between us, but Alexander held fast to my wrist. My eyes widened as I looked up at him and

so much

dropped. “Like who?” I asked. But of course I already knew

“The resemblance is… uncanny. Are

every instinct screamed at me

move…” Alexander tilted his head, studying

kept asking questions, would he figure out the truth? And

said firmly. “Some people

do.” He stepped back and looked down at his ruined suit.

Again, I’m

happen.” Alexander paused at the door. “Bring Lucien back to the banquet

suddenly too weak to support me. That

in my arms, and I looked down at his sweet face. One green eye, one blue, half and half of his parents. “We have

had gathered near the front of the room, where a small platform had been set up. Alexander stood at the center, no longer wearing his milk–stained suit. He’d changed into a fresh black jacket and tie, still looking every