The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Ella POV

“Shut up,” Alexander whispered.

I halted my steps abruptly, furrowing my brow. “What?”

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Alexander shook his head, almost as if he hadn’t intended to say the words out loud. Nothing,” he said. Beside him, Gabriel’s face reddened again. Alexander frowned. “Why did you pick that dress? You should change.”

I bristled involuntarily at his words. Maybe the old version of me would have scurried away and changed into something more suitable-who was I kidding, I would have never worn this to begin with-but not anymore.

“Oh, don’t be a prude,” I bit out. “I can wear what I want and you have no right to control me.”

With that, I brushed past him, moving to enter the banquet hall.

Alexander’s hand shot out, grabbing my arm. He pulled me back before I could reach the grand double doors.

I whirled on him, prepared to tell him where he could shove his comments about my outfit, but found myself surprised when he simply looped my arm through his elbow.

“You can’t go alone. We’re supposed to walk in together.”

Right. We did enter these sorts of events arm-in-arm every time.

But I knew that the moment we entered the banquet hall, Sophia would show up and cling to Alexander. And I knew he would keep his distance from me for the entire party, just like he always did, leaving me to mingle on my own and become a wallflower while all the other couples danced.

He wasn’t insisting on going in together because he actually cared about being by my side. This was just for appearances, like it always was, and I would be cast aside the moment I had served my purpose.

I abruptly pulled my arm away. “I don’t think that’s necessary. Everyone knows you hate me, anyway. What does it matter if we’re holding hands when we enter?”

Alexander’s green eyes shifted, a look of something that almost looked like pain flickering through them for the briefest of moments. It was gone so quickly I wasn’t sure if I had actually seen it, but it did leave me wondering….

Could it be that he was actually being insincere earlier and actually preferred when I was being more flirtatious?

“There will be guests from the Alpha Council Supervisory Board in attendance,” he said

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Chapter 6

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firmly, taking my hand and placing it on his arm again. I tried not to think about the sight of his bare muscles from earlier as I felt his bicep shift under my palm. “They’ll be inspecting the pack for at least a month for all Alpha King candidates. We have to give them a good impression.”

“Unless you’re trying to spread negative rumors about your relationship,” Gabriel, who had regained some of his composure, chimed in from behind Alexander. “Trying to ruin your Alpha’s chances at becoming the next Alpha King”

I snorted, making both Alexander and Gabriel glance at each other in surprise.

“Of course not,” I said smoothly. “I think Alexander would make an excellent Alpha King if he controls his subjects half as well as he controls me.”

Despite my obvious jab, I did oblige and tighten my grip around Alexander’s arm. Gabriel opened the doors and we strode inside, where the party was already in full swing.

Well-dressed guests from all over milled around with drinks in hand, some already twirling on the dance floor as a pianist played a lively tune. Candles flickered on every table, casting the room in a golden glow, and the air smelled like alcohol, cigar smoke, and decadent food.

The party seemed a bit chaotic without my guidance-I would have put smaller centerpieces on the tables so guests could see each other better during conversation and I would have placed the dance floor closer to the center of the room, facilitating more dancing and socializing, but it was surprisingly nice.

And at least I didn’t have to deal with Sophia’s nitpicking this time. Gabriel could deal with her instead.

As Alexander and I began making our way through the sea of guests, I gestured to a nearby waiter, who hurried over. His eyes briefly flicked over my dress, a look of surprise crossing his face, but he bowed and said respectfully, “What can I get for you, Luna?”

Normally, I would have opted for sparkling juice a drink to hold so as not to make the guests feel uncomfortable, but nothing alcoholic.

But tonight, I wanted something stronger.

“I’d like a dry martini, please.”

The waiter nodded and left to prepare my drink. When I glanced at Alexander, I noticed him looking at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing. Just don’t get drunk tonight.”

“We’ll see about that.” I took the drink from the waiter when he returned and immediately took a long sip, never looking away from Alexander. Frustrated, he shook his head and looked

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Chapter 6

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away.

Just then, a familiar form emerged from the crowd-not much taller than me, slender, and sporting an expensive suit that was likely purchased using the money he’d earned from selling me to a man who hated me.

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