The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66

+25 BONUS

Chapter 66

Alexander & Sophia

Alexander

I adjusted my tie one last time, checking my reflection in the mirror. The black suit I’d chosen for the evening was impeccable, tailored to perfection-because it had to be.

After all, this wasn’t just any party. This was our first time visiting Stormhollow as a couple since the wedding. I needed to look my best, especially with all the rumors flying around.

And with Ella in that dress… I tried not to think about it. Tried not to think about how I’d have to keep my arm around her all night to prevent other males from looking.

Tried not to think about how my wolf bristled with excitement at the very thought of spending the entire evening glued to my mate’s side.

Just then, my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. I pulled it from my pocket, frowning when I saw John Oxford’s name on the screen.

“John,” I answered. “This isn’t a good time. I’m about to-”

“Alexander, thank the Goddess!” John’s voice was frantic, bordering on hysterical. I’d never heard him like that before. “It’s Sophia. She’s gone completely off the rails!”

My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”

“She’s locked herself in the bathroom. She’s threatening to… Please, Alexander, she’s not listening to reason. She’ll only talk to you.”

“John, I’m about to leave for an important event with Ella. Can’t you-”

“She’s saying she’ll slit her wrists if you don’t come right now.” John’s voice cracked. “Please, Alexander. I know we’ve had our differences lately, but this is Sophia we’re talking about. Your oldest friend.”

Fuck. This was the last thing I needed tonight. But if Sophia was truly threatening to harm herself…

“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” I said, already moving toward the door. “Try to keep her calm until then.”

I hung up and grabbed my car keys from the dresser. There wasn’t time to explain everything to Ella; Gabriel would have to take her to the party, and I’d meet them there once I dealt with Sophia.

John was waiting outside the sprawling Oxford manor when I pulled up, pacing frantically on the front steps. He practically yanked me from the car before I even had a chance to pull the key out of the ignition.

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Chapter 66

+25 BONUS

“Thank the Goddess you’re here, Alex,” he said, pulling me toward the house. “She’s upstairs. Helen’s been trying to talk her down, but she’s not having any of it.”

I followed him through the familiar halls of the Oxford home and up the grand staircase to Sophia’s wing-yes, she had a whole wing to herself that was practically a separate home in its own right. Helen was standing outside the bathroom door with tears streaming down her face.

“Sophia, darling, please,” she was saying over the sound of rushing water within. “Alex is here now. Please come out.”

I approached the door, motioning for Helen to step aside. “Sophia,” I called out. “It’s me. Open the door.”

There was a moment of silence, then the click of a lock. The door flew open, and Sophia launched herself into my arms, soaking wet and sobbing. She slammed into me so hard that I stumbled backward, catching myself on the doorframe.

“Alex!” she cried, burying her face in my chest. “You came. You actually came.”

Sighing, I wrapped my arms around her. But as I held her, something felt off. I couldn’t explain it maybe it was the perfectly-overflowing bathtub in the background, or the sheer white nightgown that was clinging to her skin, or the pristine black streaks of mascara on her face as if she’d put them there. But I knew…

She was acting, wasn’t she?

I disentangled myself from Sophia’s embrace and held her at arm’s length.

“Sophia, we need to talk. Alone.”

She sniffled, wiping at her eyes. “Yes, of course. Mommy, Daddy, could you give us a minute?”

John and Helen exchanged a glance before nodding and retreating down the hall. Once they were gone, I fixed Sophia with a hard stare.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean? I was just”

“Cut the bullshit,” I snapped. “You’re not suicidal. You’re fishing for attention like a teenager with a crush, and you even terrorized your poor parents just to get me to come here.”

Sophia’s face crumpled. “How can you say that?ve been so distraught since you accused me of all those horrible things. You’ve been avoiding me, pushing me away—

“Because you tried to hurt my mate,” I growled. The word ‘mate’ slipped out before I could stop it. “Because you fucking endangered innocent people at that bonfire for a ‘prank’, which, for the record, I don’t think was a prank at all.”

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