The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

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Chapter 37

Liam stiffened. “I’m trying to prepare her for-

“I know what you’re trying to do,” Alexander cut him off. “But that’s not what Ella needs. I know what she needs.”

I blinked. “What do you—”

Before I could finish, Alexander moved beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side. The sudden contact made my breath catch in my throat. He was warm and solid, smelling like that scent I knew so well, and despite everything, my body instantly responded to his touch.

My heart hammered in my chest, and I couldn’t help but lean into him a little.

“Try again,” Alexander said to Liam, his arm tightening around me. “Ask her another question.”

Liam hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking to the spot where Alexander’s arm was wrapped around me. Finally, he turned to me. “Luna Ella, why did you and Alpha Alexander decide to keep your contractual marriage a secret?”

I opened my mouth, expecting to stumble over my words again. But something strange happened. With Alexander’s arm around me, my mind suddenly went quiet. The chaos around me seemed to fade away, and I could focus on the question.

“Our arrangement was private,” I said steadily. “We never intended to deceive the public, but some matters are personal, even for public figures like us.

“And the monthly payments to your father?”

>>

“Are part of a larger arrangement between Ashclaw and Stormhollow,” I answered smoothly. “ Our packs have always been allies, and the financial support was meant to strengthen that alliance.”

Alexander’s hand squeezed my shoulder gently. Was that a silent sign of approval? It was ironic-the man who had caused me so much pain was now the one helping me through this.

And all he had done was put his arm around me.

We continued like that for several more minutes, with Liam firing questions and me answering them. Eventually, Gabriel cleared his throat.

“It’s time. The press is ready.”

My stomach twisted nervously, but Alexander’s arm remained around me as we made our way toward the exit. Just before we stepped through the doors, he leaned down to whisper in my

ear.

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Chapter 37

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“Just like we practiced. I’ll be right beside you the whole time.”

His breath against my skin sent a shiver down my spine.

The moment we stepped onto the front steps, camera flashes exploded in our faces. The front lawn was packed with journalists, all shouting questions over each other before we even

reached the podium.

If I had been alone, I would have frozen on the spot. But Alexander kept his arm firmly around me, just as he promised. I looked out over the sea of faces and inhaled deeply. His scent washed over me, calming me.

Gabriel stepped up to the microphone first, introducing us and asking for order. Then it was Alexander’s turn.

“Thank you all for coming,” he began. “I’m sure you’ve all seen the recent articles about my marriage to Luna Ella. I’d like to address those reports directly.”

He went on to explain that yes, our marriage had begun as an arrangement between packs; but the alliance had brought to both Ashclaw and Stormhollow, emphasizing that it wasn’t one- sided or inappropriate.

Of course, he left out the… personal details. Like mot sleeping in the same room for years and never acting like man and wife behind closed doors.

When it was my turn to speak, I stepped up to the microphone, surprised by how calm I felt. Alexander’s hand remained firmly resting on my lower back.

“When I first married Alpha Alexander, it was out of duty to my pack,” I said. “But over time, it became deeper. We were strangers at first, but the years allowed us to get to know each other.”

The lie tasted strange on my tongue, but I continued anyway.

“We are fated mates. And while our relationship may have had an unconventional beginning, we have grown fonder and closer over time.”

“So the contract was real, but you’ve since fallen in love?” one reporter asked.

“Yes,” Alexander replied without hesitation. “Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways.”

I tried not to look surprised at that. Love. It was certainly not a concept that had ever been a part of our marriage, and I knew it was just a lie, but the way he said it felt all too real.

The lie was so convincing that for a moment, I almost believed it myself. I could almost imagine a world where Alexander and I had truly fallen in love, where our fated mate bond had overcome the barriers between us.

But it was just a fantasy. In nine months, we would go our separate ways. That was the plan.

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Chapter 37

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That was what I wanted. It was the only way I would survive this, because there was no way he was ever actually going to love me.

Just then, Gabriel pointed to a woman in the front row who had her hand raised.

The journalist stood, her pen poised over her notepad to write. “If you’re so in love,” she asked, “why haven’t you had an heir yet?”

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