The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Ella

The following morning, I woke to the sound of water running. I cracked one eye open first, then the other, and realized that Alexander was no longer sleeping beside me.

Yesterday’s memories, still too fresh for comfort, washed over me. The kiss, the bitterness, the awful things we’d said to each other before bed. But I pushed the negative feelings down and sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes as the shower shut off in the other room.

A moment later, the bathroom door opened, and Alexander stepped out with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets clung to his chest, sliding down the planes of his muscles before disappearing beneath the towel.

I quickly looked away, cursing my body for responding to the sight. For five years I had yearned to share a bed with this man, and now I couldn’t wait for this phase to end if only because it was a constant reminder just how instinctively my body reacted whenever I was close to him.

“Morning,” Alexander said, crossing to his closet. “Sophia and her parents are coming by today.”

I stiffened slightly. “What? Why?”

“To discuss the bonfire incident and the contract leak.”

“Oh. When are they getting here?”

“About an hour.”

I was a little chagrined that he hadn’t told me sooner, but nodded and slipped out of bed, hurrying past Alexander while his back was turned.

By the time I emerged from the shower a little while later, he was gone. I picked out a simple blouse and a skirt, then made my way downstairs with a little time to spare-just enough time for a cup of coffee.

But to my surprise, voices were already drifting from the sitting room.

I entered to find Sophia perched on the sofa, On either side of her sat her parents, Alpha John and Luna Helen Oxford of Moonshine pack.

Alpha John was a tall, distinguished man with salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed mustache that curled up on the ends. Luna Helen was slim and elegant, with the same brunette hair as her daughter, although hers was shot through with silver.

None of them looked at me as I entered.

Alexander was standing by the fireplace. Gabriel leaned against the windowsill, his arms

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folded across his chest.

I took a seat in an armchair across from them, keeping my expression neutral. I knew exactly how this would go. Sophia was their precious, perfect daughter. They’d spoiled her rotten her entire life, indulging her every whim and excusing her worst behavior.

They wouldn’t believe she was capable of anything truly malicious.

“Now that we’re all here, let’s get started,” Alexander began, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a delicate necklace with a single pearl on it and held it up. “This was found at the bonfire site, near where the rogue appeared. There’s rogue blood and fur on it.”

Sophia’s face went white at the sight of the necklace. Luna Helen gasped, her hand flying to her own pearl necklace that she always wore.

I would recognize the necklace Alexander was holding anywhere.

It was Sophia’s. She wore it constantly.

“What are you suggesting?” Alpha John asked.

“I’m suggesting that Sophia was involved with the rogue attack at the Spring Celebration.”

The room fell silent. Sophia’s eyes filled with tears, her lower lip trembling. It was a performance I’d seen many times before-the innocent victim.

But to my surprise, her parents didn’t immediately jump to her defense. Alpha John turned to his daughter incredulously. “Sophia! Is this true??

Her shoulders slumped. A single tear slid down her cheek. “It was just supposed to be a prank,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt…”

I couldn’t help it-I scoffed. Loudly.

All eyes turned to me. Alpha John’s gaze was particularly sharp. “Something to add, Luna Ella?”

“Yes, actually,” I said, folding my hands in my lap to keep from strangling Sophia. All I could think about was that little girl who had almost been mauled. The little girl who would have been mauled had I not distracted the rogue. “A prank, Sophia? Really? You expect us to believe that? That rogue nearly attacked a little girl.”

“But nothing happened to her.” Sophia sat up straighter. “You saved her, didn’t you? Everyone’s fine, and you even got to be the hero

“Ella is right. That was a very dangerous and stupid prank, Sophia. You’re lucky I even let you set foot in my house after that.”

Sophia’s eyes began to flutter anew. I just whipped my head toward Alexander, completely taken by surprise. Had he just… agreed with me?

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Chapter 44

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Had he ever stood on my side against Sophia before?

“Sophia.” John’s voice was low and dangerous again. “Apologize to Luna Ella. And to Alpha Alexander.”

Sophia’s face twisted briefly before smoothing into a contrite expression. “I’m so sorry, Alpha Alexander. Luna Ella. It was foolish and dangerous, and I take full responsibility.” She bowed her head and wrung her hands in her lap.

There was a moment of silence after that, punctuated only by Sophia’s occasional sniffles. Frankly, I thought she was fucking lying. I didn’t think she was sorry at all, nor did I think it was “just a prank”.

I had a feeling she wanted to see someone get hurt. And that “someone” was likely me.

But for now, I held my tongue. It would do me no good to fight it now, not with her parents prepared to jump to her defense. And even if Alexander had taken my side once, it didn’t necessarily mean he would do it again.