The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

+25 BONUS

Chapter 73

“I think I’ll stay after all,” I said, offering Tara an apologetic smile. “But thanks for the invitation.”

Tara’s face fell. “Seriously? Come on, Ella. Live a little before it’s too late.”

Her words hit closer to home than she could possibly know. Before it’s too late. Before my wolf remained dormant too long.

Before I died.

For a moment, I almost changed my mind. But then I caught Alexander’s eye across the room. He was still talking to that Alpha, but he was glancing at me, green eyes almost seeming to sparkle beneath the light of the chandeliers.

Something in his gaze made my resolve strengthen. Seeing that look in his eyes, his handsome form pressed into a well-tailored suit, red hair perfectly tousled, and that fucking smile…

My wolf was still dormant, but I swore I could still feel her deep inside of me, pulling me toward him. I couldn’t bring myself to leave tonight.

“Another time,” I said, turning back to Tara. “I just… I should stay with my husband tonight.”

Tara sighed dramatically but nodded. “Fine, be boring. But I’m holding you to that ‘another time.”” She kissed my cheek before bouncing off to her next adventure.

I watched them leave, and a pang of regret unfurled in my chest. They looked so carefree, so… normal. A group of friends heading out for a night of fun.

Would I ever experience that? Or would I die having never known what it was like to dance in a club, to laugh with friends until sunrise, to live without the weight of everyone else’s expectations on my shoulders?

“Ella.”

I stiffened at the sound of Margaret’s voice. My stepmother was gliding toward me, looking elegant as ever in her floor-length navy blue gown and a perfectly practiced smile on her face. Beside me, Lilith straightened, although she lowered her gaze.,

“You look lovely tonight,” Margaret said, stopping a few feet away. She didn’t even glance at Lilith. “That dress is… bold.”

“Thank you,” I replied cautiously. Margaret had ever complimented me in my life. Not once. She was certainly being underhanded, or perhaps she wanted something from me.

“I must say, I was surprised to see how attentive Alexander was being tonight,” She sipped her wine casually. “It seems your relationship has truly improved since the last time we saw you.”

I shrugged, not sure how to respond. Was this some kind of trap?

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Chapter 73

+25 BONUS

“It’s good to see,” Margaret continued. “A strong marriage is important for an Alpha and Luna.”

“Right…”

“I’m actually sending a little gift to your home,” she said, leaning in. “Something to help… improve things even more between you two.”

I blinked, completely taken by surprise. Margaret had never given me a gift in all the known her. Not for my birthday, not for holidays, not even for my wedding.

“A gift?”

Margaret smiled. “Don’t look so surprised.”

“That’s… very thoughtful of you,” I managed.

years I’d

“I promise it will improve your relationship even more,” she said with a wink before walking away, leaving me standing there utterly confused

Once she was gone, I turned to Lilith with my eyebrows raised. “What was that about?”

Lilith seemed to be in some kind of trance. Her face had gone pale and her eyes were cold, which was a look I rarely saw on her except for when she was terrified or furious.

She didn’t answer, and I frowned, touching her shoulder. “Lilith…?”

Immediately, my friend snapped out of it. She whipped her head toward me as if she’d been slapped and blinked several times before answering. “Oh, um… Yes, very strange,” she said in a tight voice. “Very strange indeed.”

I furrowed my brows, but by then, Alexander was returning. And the star couple of the evening had to perform, after all.

The rest of the evening passed without a hitch. By the time Alexander finally announced we should leave, I was dead on my feet. For once, I was actually excited to climb into the bed we shared, even if we slept on the opposite edges of it like strangers.

In fact, I was so exhausted that despite my best efforts, I felt myself drifting off as soon as Gabriel began to drive us home.

The last thing I remembered was letting my head drop sideways onto Alexander’s shoulder.

Chapter 74