The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

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Chapter 84

Ella

The karaoke was over but the night wasn’t. Not by a long shot. My blood was thrumming, my body loose and warm in a way I’d never experienced before. I was alive. I was free. And for a few blissful hours, I’d forgotten all about Alexander and all my problems.

Until he walked in and ruined everything.

I’d spotted him the moment he stepped through the door, his red hair and impeccable frame impossible to miss even in the dim light. But I quickly turned away, pretending I hadn’t seen him at all.

For the next hour, I pointedly kept my back to Alexander, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me look his way. Instead, I focused on Molly, on her stories, on the way she made my sides stitch from laughter.

By my fifth Blue Hawaiian, the room was spinning pleasantly, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this good. This free. Maybe never.

“Hey,” Molly said, leaning in close so I could hear her over the music, “want to get some air? It’s getting stuffy in here.”

I nodded, grateful for the suggestion. The bar had gotten crowded, and the heat of all those bodies pressed together was making me feel a bit claustrophobic. Plus, maybe outside I wouldn’t feel Alexander’s gaze burning into my back.

Because I knew he was watching me. I could feel it.

Molly stood and held out her hand to me. I took it without hesitation, letting her lead me through the crowd toward the exit. I didn’t look back. I didn’t need to see Alexander’s face. I didn’t care.

At least, that was what I told myself.

The cool night air was a welcome change from the stuffy heat of the bar. Molly didn’t let go of my hand as she led me around the corner into a small alley beside the building. The music inside faded to a dull thump-thump-thump.

Molly reached into her pocket and pulled out a carton of cigarettes. She offered me one, but I shook

my

head and just leaned back against the brick wall, shutting my eyes. I heard a lighter click, then the smell of a cigarette made my nose wrinkle.

We stood in silence for a few moments, side-by-side, as Molly smoked. I inhaled deeply through my nose, soothed by the cool air. But when I finally opened my eyes, I found that Molly had moved to stand in front of me, and one of her hands was pressing into the brick wall beside my head.

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Chapter 84

My eyes widened slightly. “Molly’

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“I have a confession to make,” she said, leaning closer. “I didn’t just happen to be working at that diner when you and Liam showed up.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I knew you were married to the Alpha of Ashclaw. I’ve been keeping tabs on you over the years.”

I blinked. She put her cigarette out on the bricks on the other side of my head, then dropped the butt on the ground and pressed her hand there so she was fully caging me in now. “I always had a crush on you, even when we were kids. But back then, I didn’t understand what it meant. I just knew I wanted to be around you all the time.”

My breath caught. Was she saying what I thought she was saying?

“Molly, I—”

“I’m a lesbian, Ella,” she said, cutting me off. “And I’ve always had feelings for

you. Even after all these years apart, I still think about you. That’s why I came to Ashclaw. To find you.”

Before I could process what she was saying, Molly leaned in and pressed her lips to mine.

Her mouth tasted like strawberry lipgloss and cigarettes.

But I didn’t want it; I was just too stunned to react. Too drunk to fully process what was happening. I just stood there, frozen, my back against the brick wall, as my childhood friend kissed me.

Then suddenly, Molly was yanked away from me. Alexander placed himself between us, his face twisted with rage and his green eyes glowing with the same jealous fury I’d seen when he’d accused me of having an affair with Liam.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he snarled at Molly.

Molly’s eyes widened with fear as she realized who had caught her. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, backing away. “I didn’t mean

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