The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 256

apter 256

+25 BONUS

Chapter 256

Ella & Alexander

Ella

I blinked at the paper in Alexander’s hand. That was my fake name written across the top, that was for certain, but I had never signed up to enter the Luna Trial. I had already made the decision that would never lower myself like that again.

“I didn’t sign up for anything,” I said quickly. “There must have been a mistake.”

Alexander frowned. “If you didn’t sign up, then who did?”

Who did indeed? My mind raced for a moment in search of an answer, and suddenly, I realized that it must have been Anya; she probably thought she was helping me by signing up for me, thinking that I was too shy or something to do it myself, even though I had made it abundantly clear that I had no intention of entering.

Poor, sweet girl. Little did she know that the last fucking thing I wanted in the entire world was to be Alexander’s Luna again.

“It doesn’t matter. Just take my name off the list,” I finally said, composing myself.

Alexander stared at me like I had just spontaneously sprouted a second head. “You really want your name taken out of the running?”

I wasn’t sure why it was so inconceivable to him, but I nodded and said, “Yes.”

“If you don’t mind me asking… Why?” He lowered the application and furrowed his brow. “The signups are open to anyone regardless of social status or background. You’re unmarked from the looks of things, you’re the right age, and you’re already good with Lucien. This is your chance to move up in the world.”

I almost laughed at the irony of that statement. Move up in the world. If only he knew that I was actually moving in the opposite direction and kind of liking it.

“I told you, I’m not interested.”

“But you were a rogue. You had nothing. No pack, no status, no security. Now you have a chance to become Luna of Ashclaw. Luna Queen, technically, since I’m the Alpha King. Why wouldn’t you want that?”

Because I’d already been Luna. Because I’d already lived that life and knew exactly how miserable it could be. Because I’d spent years trying to please a man who thought I was a spy, and in the end, he couldn’t even grieve me for a week before he was looking for a replacement.

I tilted my head. “Why do you even care?” I asked, briefly letting my bitterness get the best of me. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but no one of my status would stand a chance against the higher–class ladies who would enter.”

A muscle feathered in Alexander’s jaw, but he nodded. “Fair point. I’m just surprised, that’s all. Most Omegas would jump at an opportunity like this.”

That was when I did laugh. I couldn’t help it. The sound bubbled out of me before I could stop it. “You think

1/4

Chapter 256

+25 BONUS.

every woman dreams of being your Luna,” I blurted out, “but I much prefer being invisible. Unlike how I was before, always the center of attention. I prefer this quiet life.”

Alexander’s brows shot up and he studied my face. “Unlike how you were before? Is there something you didn’t tell me about your old life?”

my

Suddenly, what I’d just said hit me like a slap in the face, and I snapped my mouth shut so hard it made teeth clack. Fuck. I’d almost revealed information about my curse. I needed to deflect quickly before he started asking more questions.

“I just meant…” I cleared my throat. “I was noticed too much as a rogue. People staring, whispering about the homeless girl with no pack. Now I have a quiet, simple life taking care of Lucien. I don’t want anything more than that.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie. I did enjoy the simplicity of my current role. I hadn’t realized how much I’d despised politics and social maneuvering until I suddenly wasn’t forced to do it anymore, even if going from being a Luna to an Omega servant came with its own set of hurdles to overcome

“Besides,” I added, “I’m sure you have plenty of qualified candidates already. You don’t need an Omega cluttering up your trial.”

Alexander was still staring at me with that confused expression, but I didn’t give him a chance to say anything

else.

“Just… take my name off the list,” I said, turning to leave. “Thank you for considering me, though.”

With that, I hurried away. Alexander didn’t call after me, and I didn’t look back to see if he was still staring.

Alexander

I felt strangely frozen in place as I watched Stella walk away. Something about the conversation we’d just had left me feeling unsettled.

Most Omegas would jump at the chance to become Luna. Hell, most women of any rank would. A Luna Trial was an opportunity that came around maybe once in a generation, if that. And this rogue turned Omega was saying that she didn’t want to participate.

Strange…

Her reasoning didn’t make complete sense either. She’d said she preferred being invisible, that she’d been the center of attention “before” and didn’t want that again. But when I’d asked her to clarify, she’d quickly changed her story to being about her time as a rogue.

It felt like she’d almost said something else. Something she’d had to cover up.

And the way she’d laughed when I suggested she should want to move up in the world… There had been something bitter about it. Like the idea of becoming Luna was amusing to her rather than appealing.

Most rogues I’d encountered were desperate for stability and a place to belong. They’d do almost anything to improve their station. But Stella seemed content with her role as a nanny. More than content–she seemed to

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify