The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

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Chapter 35

Before things could escalate, Gabriel stepped between them. “Alphas, if I may,” he said, “this speculation isn’t helping us right now. The media is only going to get worse the longer we wait, and there’s no time to investigate. We need to address this immediately.”

Alexander took a deep breath, composing himself. “You’re right,” he agreed, running a hand through his hair and causing a few red locks to stand up on end. “We need to get ahead of this story.”

“I suggest holding a press conference,” Gabriel said. “You should make a statement before the rumors get out of hand. Be forthright about the arrangement-but frame it properly so it doesn’t continue to backfire.”

Alexander nodded. “A press conference. Yes, that could work.” He glanced at me. “Of course, you’ll need to be there, too.”

I blanched, feeling the warmth suddenly drain from my face. “Me? At a press conference?”

“Yes, you,” he replied curtly, already picking up his phone. “This involves both of us. The

public will want to see us together.”

“But I’ve never done anything like that before,” I protested weakly. “I wouldn’t know what to say or how to act. I’d just make things worse.”

“You’ll be fine. Just follow my lead and smile.”

Alexander and Gabriel left to make the arrangements before I could protest.

“Smile and follow his lead,” I whispered, sinking down into a nearby chair. “As if it’s that simple.”

A few hours later, I found myself standing in the foyer of the house, the pack PR stylist carefully primping my curled hair. They had chosen a no-nonsense look for me that was also attractive and feminine enough to feel approachable: a crisp white button-down tucked into a pencil skirt, low pumps, a sleek yet bouncy updo with curls framing my face, and a pearl necklace around my throat.

It felt more like a costume than anything. And the pearls felt like they were choking me.

“I can’t do this,” I whispered to Liam as the stylist hurried away to tend to Alexander, who was standing on the other side of the room surrounded by a small entourage of PR staff and, of course, Gabriel. He looked prepared for this. He looked unfazed.

I thought I was going to throw up.

Liam reached out to place a hand on my arm, but seemed to think better of it and quickly pulled away.

Chapter 35

+25 BONUS

“You’ll be fine. You spoke to the Board so well before-you’re a good public speaker.”

My throat bobbed. “In front of small groups, yes. But I’ve never done a press conference before.” Even now, I could hear the sound of reporters and journalists gathering outside. The conference hadn’t even begun yet and I could see the cameras flashing through the curtains.

Liam tilted his head. “Never? But you’re a Luna. Surely you and Alexander have done one or

two.”

“I’ve stood beside him during press conferences. Back when I was the perfect, obedient little Luna, I wanted to add, but I didn’t. “I never had to say anything. And there was never this much scrutiny.”

Liam paused for a moment, considering. I shot another glance at Alexander, who was now whispering to Gabriel in the dining room doorway.

I hated how stupidly handsome he looked in his sleek navy blue suit with his hair perfectly swept to one side, like some kind of male fashion magazine model.

But what hurt even more was that he hadn’t even looked in my direction since our discussion earlier, and I knew I would get no help from him now.

Suddenly, Liam suggested, “I can help you prepare.”

I turned back to him. “How? The conference is starting in ten minutes and I have no idea what

to do.”

He smiled faintly, but it was more of a grimace than anything. “You said you wanted to know what went on at the camp I attended-so let me show you some of the tricks I learned there.”

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