The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Eila

49%

The media storm began within hours.

Apparently, someone in the hospital waiting room had recorded Alexander markingon their phone. By the

twe got home, the footage was already all over social media.

Thankfully, Alexander markingwasn't discovered his body had conveniently blocked the view of what had

really happened. That was a relief, at

least.

But people wanted to know why | had crunning out of the exam room in nothing but a hospital gown. And

more than that, they wanted to know why | had collapsed and been rushed away by the nurses.

And knowing how relentless the intecould be, | knew it would only be a matter of tbefore people found

out the truth.

| was sitting in the living room the morning after the incident, scrolling through the comments on one such

particular post speculating on my condition, when Alexander practically cbarreling into the room with his

phone clutched in his hand.

“I've got a plan,” he said.

Of course he had a plan. Everything was always about strategy with him.

“We're going to announce the pregnancy. | just hired a photographer to cand do a photoshoot, and we'll do

a press release first thing tomorrow morning.”

My heart jumped, phone slipping from my fingers, forgotten. “We're going public with the baby?”

“It’s the only way to control the narrative.”

Controlling the narrative. Right. | supposed, in a naive way, | had hoped that markingmight change

everything. That maybe Alexander had feelings forafter all, and we could just announce the pregnancy as a

real, loving couple.

But that was silly of me; he only markedto save the child, and he was only going public because it was the

most logical course of action. Not because he was excited about showing off our little family.

I nodded and shoved down the hollow feeling in my chest, not just for myself, but so he couldn't sense it through

the newly formed bond. “When?”

“She’ll be here in two hours.”

The photoshoot was scheduled for the mansion’s garden, where the late afternoon light would be most flattering.

| spent an hour getting ready-hair curled and pinned in an elegant updo, makeup applied to perfection, dressed

in a flowing cream-colored dress that hugged my still-flat belly.

When I looked in the mirror, | barely recognized myself. The sickness had stolen so much fromover the past

months. My color, my strength, my confidence. But now, with my wolf back and the mark fresh on my neck, |

looked radiant.

Healthy. Happy. Like a Luna who was deeply in love with her Alpha.

If only it were real.

The photographer arrived before | knew it, and soon we were being swept out into the gardens, where she had

already set up her various cameras and equipment. She usheredover to the bench beneath the cherry tree,

although the pink petals were all gone now, green with the promise of a hot and long summer.

While the photographer rushed around making sure every little detail was perfect, Alexander appeared at my

side. He'd changed into a charcoal gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders, although I tried not to think

about how stupidly handshe looked.

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Chapter 83

| also tried not to think about how delicious it had felt to have his mouth on my neck.

But my efforts, apparently, were futile. Alexander shotan arch look. “Can you tone it back a little? It feels like

the mate bond is on fire.”

My face went aflame, and | quickly slammed up my mental defenses, cutting off the bond so quickly that it made

my wolf whine in protest. “Sorry Still getting used to it. My wolf...”

“Don’t blmel” my wolf chuffed. “You want him just as much as I

“Are we ready?” The photographer's voice cut through the awkwardness, which | was thankful for. | quickly

nodded and shoved my wolf down, all the while ensuring that my mental blocks were firmly in place.

And it was an easy task, considering the fact that the first poses were simple enough: Alexander and | sitting

together on the stone bench, his arm around my shoulders, both of us looking directly at the camera.

Professional. Composed. A little close for comfort, but | was still capable of keeping the bond neutral.

until the photographer started asking for more intimate shots.

“Alpha, could you place your hand on Luna Ella’s stomach? We want to emphasize the pregnancy.”

Alexander's large hand settled over my belly, his fingers splaying wide in a gesture that was both protective and

possessive. | tried to ignore the flutter in my chest at his touch, the way my body immediately responded to his

proximity, the bond flickering like a candle flame.

He was just playing his part. Nothing more.

“Beautiful,” the photographer murmured, snapping away. “Now, Luna, lean back against him slightly. Like you

trust him completely

My heart thudded violently, but | did as she asked and cautiously let my head rest against Alexander's shoulder. |

must have looked like a deer in headlights, because the photographer giggled and said, “No need to be shy,

Luna!”

“Here.” Alexander's deep voice practically vibrated against my back as he tuggedcloser, one hand coming

up to stroke my hair.

Goddess, | felt like | was going to die.

But | would certainly die happy in this little lie we had built. Because for those moments, as the photographer

snapped pictures of us in increasingly romantic poses, | could almost forget that it was all for show.

Almost.

Three days later, the photos were everywhere, and we had hit our mark. The photographer had truly outdone

herself, creating an image of a loving couple with an heir on the way. Before | knew it, the entire pack was

buzzing with the news, and the incident in the hospital waiting room was explained away as early pregnancy

complications that had been resolved thanks to my mate’s presence,

And the pictures... They were everything the photographer had promised. Intimate. Elegant. Tender.

Like a real couple in love and not... Whatever we were.

I'd downloaded every single image to my phone and found myself scrolling through them at odd moments

throughout the day. Not because | was narcissistic, but because looking at them felt like glimpsing into an

alternate reality where everything I'd ever wanted was actually true.

In the photos, Alexander's eyes held warmth when he looked at me. His touches seemed genuine rather than

performative. The way he heldlooked like love instead of duty.

| knew it was dangerous to torture myself this way, but | couldn't help it. For just a few stolen moments, | could

pretend that the tender expression on his face was real. | could let my silly little heart believe that when he'd

whispered sweet nothings in my ear during the shoot, he’d meant every word.

“Ella?”

My head snapped up as Alexander stepped into the room. His eyes immediately flicked to the phone in my hand,

where one such picture-one depicting

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Chapter 83

us standing beneath the cherry tree, foreheads pressed together, fingers tangled over my belly-was on display

I'd been staring at it. Again.

Face flushing, | quickly shut my phone off and shoved it into my pocket. “Yes?”

Alexander studied my face for a long moment without answering, and | fought not to squirm under his intense

scrutiny. Could he somehow. tell what i'd been doing? Could he sense my pathetic longing through our new mate

bond?

I'd tried my best not to show my emotions through the bond, of course. It hadn't been easy, especially not with

my wolf pining for that connection every chance she got, but | couldn't let him see just how utterly and stupidly

lovesick | was these days.

Blit on the hormones.

Finally, Alexander stepped into the room, loosening his tie.

“I just got off the phone with Liam,” he said.

“Oh?” | sat up a little straighter, watching as Alexander crossed to the window. He looked out for a long moment,

and the tension in his shoulders made my stomach sink. | braced myself for bad news.

But then Alexander turned, and for the briefest of moments, a radiant smile flickered across his face. “He gave