The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 180

Ella

The day of the picnic dawned bright and clear, with just enough of a breeze to keep the summer heat from being

unbearable.

| stood at the entrance to the picnic, where there was a large archway set up with a welcsign, my hand

resting on top of the small bump that now protruded from beneath the blue sundress | was wearing. The dress

had an empire waist, ensuring that my belly was on more prominent display than usual.

Had to ensure everyone knew that the Ashclaw Alpha and Luna were expecting an heir, after all. But | wasn’t

complaining. Not today.

Five and a half months pregnant, and | was finally starting to show properly. The sight of my rounded belly still

caughtoff guard sometimes, but in a good way.

“There you are.” Alexander appeared at my side, looking devastatingly handsin dark jeans and a casual

button-down shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and he'd skipped the tie for once. Ready?”

I nodded and took his extended arm, plastering that practiced smile on my face as we made our way into the

main event space.

We'd done this dance so many times now that slipping into our public roles felt like putting on a well- worn pair

of shoes.

Over the next few hours, | smiled until my cheeks ached, answered questions about the baby’s due date at least

fifty times, and let what felt like half the territory touch my belly for good luck. Alexander stayed close, his hand

never straying far from my back or my arm, playing the devoted mate to perfection.

But there were moments-brief flashes when he thought no one was looking-where his concern felt genuine. The

way he steeredtoward a chair when I'd been standing for a little too long, or how he made sure | had water

and something to eat every hour on the hour.

It remindedof the kitchen two nights ago, of how he'd looked at me, how he’d touched me...

Right before Gabriel had interrupted us.

I'd been trying not to think about that kiss, but it was proving fucking impossible. Every tAlexander touched

me, even casually, | remembered the feeling of his hands in my hair and the taste of him on my

tongue.

We hadn't finished what we'd started that night, of course. | figured that he thought it was a mistake and just

wanted to bury it. If he wasn’t going to bring it up, then | wasn’t going to humiliate myself by doing so, either.

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Chapter 180

+15 BONUS

“Ladies and gentlemen!” Gabriel's amplified voice cut through my wandering thoughts. He was standing on a

small platform near the center of the festivities, holding a microphone. “We have a special treat planned for this

afternoon. A good old-fashioned gof capture the flag!”

The crowd cheered, and | felt my pulse quicken. | hadn't played capture the flag since | was a teenager, back

before | was forced into the role of Luna and, well... before everything went to shit.

“We'll be dividing into two teams,” Gabriel continued. “And our team captains will be Alpha Alexander and ...

Drumroll...”

The crowd waited with anticipation. | pulled my shoulders back, assuming that the other captain would be me.

“Miranda Wilkes, captain of the Ashclaw training league!”

| turned to Alexander with raised eyebrows. “What about me?” | asked.

“You're pregnant.”

“So?” | couldn’t help but laugh. “I'm not about to pop right now. Besides, the gonly allows shifted wolves. I'll

be perfectly fine playing a gin wolf form.”

Alexander looked like he wanted to argue, but before he could, | strode up to Gabriel and took the microphone

away. “Change of plans,” | said, ignoring the way both Alexander and Gabriel put their heads in their hands. “I

will be taking Miranda's place.” | grinned and patted my belly. “Although I'm not sure if | should count for one

player or two.”

The crowd cheered again as | handed the microphone back to Gabriel, who looked ready to burst. Alexander,

however, seemed to be hiding the faintest of smiles as | made my way back to him.

“You're impossible,” he muttered.

| smirked. “I thought | was going to die five months ago. A gof capture the flag is exactly what | need.”

Alexander snorted. “Just behave for the rest of the day then, will you?”

“No promises.”

As Gabriel prattled off the rest of the rules, Alexander and | made our way to the ggrounds. | rolled my

shoulders, reaching deep within for my wolf's presence.

“It’s been a while since we shifted,” she said, and | could hear the excitement in her voice.

“Looking forward to stretching your legs?”

“Something like that.”

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Chapter 180

+15 BONUS

The teams formed quickly, with about twenty people on each side. Alexander's team claimed the eastern edge

of the property while mine took the west.

As the others began to shift, | closed my eyes and reached for the familiar sensation. For a moment, nothing

happened, and panic started to claw at me. It had been so long, and | hadn't shifted since before

my wolf had gone dormant; what if something was wrong?

But then | felt that tingling, burning sensation as my bones began to lengthen and my muscles started to

reshape themselves.

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