The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52

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Chapter 52

Alexander

“You’re all over the internet,” Gabriel said, sliding his phone across my desk. “The happy couple out for lunch.”

I didn’t need to look at the photos. I’d lived through it just hours ago. Ella had fed me a pickle off her fork-a pickle-and I had to eat it just to appease the fucking paparazzi, because if I didn’t, they would never believe our farce.

I didn’t even like pickles.

Instead of answering right away, I took another sip of bourbon, letting it burn a hot path down my throat. Gabriel and I were sitting in my office with only the fire to light the room and a half-empty bottle between us. It had been a long day.

“At least the stunt worked,” I said, refilling my glass. “The press seems to be buying it. And the people around us were giggling like a bunch of schoolchildren.”

Gabriel snorted. “It seems to be working a little too well, if you ask me. #AlphaLoveBirds is trending.” He scrolled through more photos. “You do look… convincing, though.”

“That’s the point.”

Gabriel’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me “Just remember it’s all for show, Alex. You can’t afford to get caught up in this performance’

My jaw clenched. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I’m just saying, I’ve known you for a long time, and I’ve never seen you look at that Stormhollow bitch the way you did in these photos.”

My wolf surged forward so violently I nearly dropped my glass.

“Don’t call her that,” I blurted out, my teeth clenched so tight I thought I might shatter them.

Gabriel blinked, clearly taken aback. “What?”

“Don’t call her that,” I repeated. I didn’t use my Alpha voice, not yet, but the urge was buzzing in my throat like a swarm of yellowjackets. “She’s still your Luna, at least for now.”

“Her pack was likely involved in your parents’ death. Since when do you care what I call her?”

“Just watch yourself.”

Gabriel stared at me for a long moment. Then, shaking his head, he mused, “I see. You’re getting too attached. This is exactly what I was afraid of.”

“I’m not getting attached,” I growled. “I’m just saying you should show some respect to your

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Chapter 52

+25 BONUS

Luna. Don’t forget your place, Gabriel.”

“Fine.” Gabriel held up his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry for disrespecting Luna Ella. It won’t happen again.”

I nodded and took another sip of bourbon to calm myself. The tension in the room slowly eased as we drank in silence for a while, but I could feel Gabriel’s eyes on me every so often, watching, assessing, waiting to find a crack in my facade.

He was my Beta, but also my friend. And we had known each other long enough that he’d unfortunately developed an uncanny ability to see right through me sometimes. It was a blessing and a curse.

My wolf growled at me to put my Beta in his place, but I calmed him. Gabriel was just drunk, and besides, he was partially right.

Ella’s pack may have been behind my parents’ deaths. I really couldn’t afford to fall for her, and the act we were putting on was getting a little too cozy. It was bad enough that we were sharing a room, and now all I could think about was the sight of her hiking beside me earlier, the sheen on her brow, the tears shimmering in her eyes as she watched those bear cubs play…

“Look,” I finally said, shoving aside those images before they could take root, “I have no intention of falling for Ella. This is all for show, just like we agreed. In nine months, we’ll go

our separate ways.

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“Good.” Gabriel seemed to relax slightly. “Because if Stormhollow was behind your parents’ murder, and you end up falling for their daughter…”

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