The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 282

Chapter 282

Ella’s POV

+25 BONUS

When they announced that Anya and I had placed in the top three, I couldn’t help the smile that broke across my face. Anya whirled toward me and threw her arms around my neck once we stepped into the corridor, squealing.

“We did it, Stella! Well, you did it. You looked so beautiful in your dress-

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“No.” I pulled back and pinched her cheek. I thought I caught a glimpse of Alexander standing off to the side, but when I looked over, he was gone. “You’re the one who made the beautiful dress. Not only that, but you got all those custom orders and even a promotion offer from the Alpha. You should be proud.”

Anya’s smile was infectious as she bounded off to speak to Hunter about her potential promotion. I was so busy watching her go that I didn’t notice Liam walking up to me until he said, “How about that drink?”

I turned to Liam and felt my heart soar. I knew I should have said no, but without thinking, I nodded and replied, “That would be nice.”

I only realized what I had done after Liam started smiling and guiding me toward the exit with his hand on my lower back. I’d been riding so high on today’s success and Anya’s happiness that I hadn’t even thought twice about going out with Liam.

I would just have to be careful, that was all.

We headed to the bar together, making small talk about the charity event and the Luna Trial. Liam told me about his work with the Alpha Council, traveling between territories to mediate disputes and oversee pack governance. I told him about taking care of Lucien, keeping the details vague enough that I wouldn’t accidentally reveal anything about the curse.

Finally, we arrived at the dive bar downtown. We found a booth in the corner and ordered our drinks, listening as a musician played the piano and sang near the front of the establishment.

“So,” Liam said once the bartender had delivered our drinks, “tell me more about yourself. I feel like I barely know anything about you, and yet… you remind me so much of Ella.”

I stiffened, and Liam’s face paled. “I’m sorry if that’s weird. I know you’re your own person and everything.”

If

a smile. “I

want to hear about

would say too much; so I tried to keep the conversation like and focused

matter how much I tried to steer the conversation away from myself, it didn’t work. The alcohol loosened my tongue and made me slip into that easy camaraderie we used to share.

That I wasn’t

feel like I’ve known you forever. Like we’re old friends catching up instead

were friends in a past life or something,”

mine, full of

Oh no…

1/4

Chapter 282

+25 BONUS

He’d given it to me before on a few occasions–back when he

me.

Especially not when those old flames were buried six feet under and a

my throat and stood, suddenly feeling my chest constrict painfully as a tide of emotion threatened to

be right back,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just going to use the

nodded and leaned back in his seat, and I hurried away. There were two drunk girls crying in the bathroom when I arrived, but they left soon after that,

steadying myself. One too many drinks was making me sway slightly, and when I looked into the

a moment, I didn’t see Stella. I saw Ella. I saw my old hair, my old eyes, my

woman

I had to look away before I grew too attached. Ella was dead–that old version of me was gone, whether anyone wanted her to be or

although my friend was sitting just outside that door, thinking he had a second chance at

who looked

Not her.

wasn’t hitting on my lookalike, but me. I wanted to

it. I could only watch like