The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Ella

Thirty minutes later, we were walking into a quaint cafe in town that I'd been frequenting with Lilith for the past

couple of years.

The place was cozy, with warm wooden tables, hanging plants, and large windows that let in plenty of natural

light. On nice days like today, they would open the front to let in the spring breeze. It was already packed for

lunch, but the hostess beamed as soon as she sawcoming.

(

“Luna Ella!” she exclaimed, running over. “It's been weeks! We missed you! Where have you been?”

“I've been busy,” | replied, which wasn’t technically untrue. | was sure she had seen the news.

The hostess’s eyes widened slightly when she saw my companion walk in behind me. Not Lilith, who | normally

enjoyed coming here with, but Alexander.

He had never chere within all the years | had been dining here.

In fact, he had never eaten a meal withat all-in a restaurant or at home.

“Alpha Alexander,” the hostess said, bowing her head respectfully as he approached. “It’s an honor to have you

at our establishment.”

Alexander nodded in response, then looked around. “Is there going to be a wait time? It looks like you're all full.”

Shaking her head, the hostess led us to a table on the street, which was my favorite place to sit in the nice

weather. A little “reserved” card was sitting on top of it.

“We always keep your table reserved for you, just in case,” the hostess said, gesturing to the little wrought iron

table with two seats and an umbrella.

Alexander blinked, looking surprised. | smiled and thanked the hostess. Alexander pulled my seat out for me, but

| knew it was more for the sake of those watching us than the fact that he actually wanted to.

We took our seats and the space between us fell silent for a while. Alexander picked his menu up and studied it

without a word.

“The turkey club is good,” | offered, trying to break the silence. “Or the Cobb salad.”

Alexander nodded without looking up. “Okay. Thanks.”

More silence. | sipped my water, glancing around the cafe. It was busier than usual for a weekday, probably

because of the nice weather. Several young couples were sitting at nearby tables, talking and laughing, some

holding hands across the table.

I'd seen them before-well, not these specific couples, but ones just like them. Every t| chere with Lilith,

I would watch them.

The way they leaned toward each other, the casual touches, the shared laughter... all the things I'd always

wanted, but never got to experience with

Alexander.

I'd imagined it, though. Goddess knew I'd spent enough tduring the early days of our marriage daydreaming

about what it would be like if Alexa tookout like this.

If we sat across from each other at a sunny cafe table, talking about our days, making plans for the weekend,

just... being together. Like a normal, happy

couple.

It was pathetic ofto daydream like that, really. But | couldn't help it. All | had ever wanted was for my fated

mate to finally treatlike his mate and not a stranger.

Finally, the waiter cover to take our orders. “Luna Ella,” he said, smiling warmly as he approached, “it's

wonderful to see you. Will you be having your usual?”

I nodded. “Yes, please. The turkey club and a latte.”

1/3

08:36 Tue, 19 Aug

Chapter 28

The waiter beamed. “I'll make sure you get extra avocado this time

“You knowso well.”

After that, Alexander ordered a salad and a water. When the waiter left, we lapsed back!

into silence for several long minutes

“They seem to know you well,” he finally said. His voice was so low | almost didn’t hear it.

“Well, I've been coming here at least once a week for a couple of years now.”

Alexander’s brow furrowed slightly. “Oh. | didn’t realize.”

| almost laughed at that. Of course he didn’t. Why would he? He'd never asked where | went during the day,

what | did with my time, who spoke to Fe all he knew, | just sat in my room all day, staring at the walls. Maybe he

would have preferred that.

“There's a lot you don’t realize,” | said, then immediately regretted it as a nearby couple glanced our way. We

were supposed to be playing the happy couple, not bickering in public. | forced a smile and pretended that |

hadn't said it at all.

Alexander didn’t respond to that, not that he had tto. The waiter returned a moment later and set our plates

down with a smile.

“One turkey club for my favorite Luna,” he said with a wink. “And a chicken salad for the Alpha. Can | get you

anything else? More water? Another napkint A smile, perhaps?” The last was directed at Alexander, who looked

like he was busy chewing on a piece of glass.

“We're fine, thank you,” Alexander said stiffly.

The waiter raised an eyebrow at me, and | gave him a small smile that | hoped conveyed both apology and

gratitude. He nodded slightly before heading off to another table.

“Your waiter is awfully familiar,” Alexander said once he was out of earshot.

| picked up my sandwich. “He's friendly to everyone.”

“He called you his favorite Luna.”

“It's just how he talks.” | took a bite of my sandwich, the familiar flavors of turkey, bacon, and avocado a

welccomfort. “The food here is really good. Better than a granola bar, right?”

Alexander took a bite of his food. His mouth twitched, almost forming a smile before he caught himself. “It's

acceptable,” he muttered. | resisted the urge

to roll my eyes.

00R00000000000 00

We ate in silence for a while. | tried not to stare as Alexander methodically worked his way through his salad,

making sure each bite had the perfect raof lettuce, chicken, and dressing.

Had he always eaten like that? So... carefully?

He probably had. I'd never really seen him eat before. Even at banquets, he wouldn't really enjoy the food. He

was always too busy mingling while | would sit alone at our table.

Five years of marriage, and this was our first lunch date. The thought made my chest constrict painfully.

Around us, the cafe continued to buzz with conversation and laughter. A couple at the table next to ours fed each

other bites of chocolate cake, giggling between kisses. | looked away, focusing on my sandwich instead of the

pain in my heart.

As we ate, | tried to think of something to say, stopic of conversation that wouldn't lead to an argument or

more awkward silence, but my mind was blank. | didn’t even know where to begin, or if it was even possible to

elicit the ssmites and laughter that the other women coaxed from their partners.

Maybe this had been a mistake. I'd thought lunch in a real restaurant would be better than eating granola bars in

the woods, but at least out there, we'd had the patrol to focus on. Here, there was nothing but us and the empty

space between us.

2/3

08:36 Tue, 19 Aug 1

Chapter 28

Suddenly, | felt my neck prickle. | glanced out the window, wondering if the paparazzi had followed us here.

Sure enough, | spotted a man with a camera partially hidden behind a newspaper at an outdoor table across the

street. He was trying to be subtle, but i spotted him right away.

Great. So not only was this lunch painfully awkward, but it was going to be documented for all the world to see.

“Alpha and Luna’s Disastrous Date would probably be the headline tomorrow.

Unless...

| glanced back at Alexander, who was still eating with that precise, methodical approach. The cafe was full of

couples being, well, couple-y. Holding hands, sharing food, laughing together. And there we were, sitting in utter

silence like strangers who had been forced to share a table.

No wonder the paparazzi was interested. We weren't doing a very good job of appearing in love.

| needed to do something. Something that would look good in photos, something that would support the

narrative we were trying to create. Something that would make us look like a real couple.

Before | could talk myself out of it, | speared a pickle from my plate with my fork and held it out to him. “Open

wide...”

AD

Comment

Share to your friends