The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 19

Sophia & Liam

Sophia

Sophia stumbled, gasping, into the forest. Hot tears of pure rage streamed down her cheeks as she leaned

against a tree, pressing her palms so hard against the trunk that the bark bit into her skin.

Humiliated. That was what she was now.

She had spent the better part of the evening scouring the glade, searching for a stray rogue. When she finally

lured the beast back to the festival, she thought everything would go as planned.

The rogue had Ella’s scent-Sophia had made sure of that when she had stolen one of Ella’s gloves from the

house and waved it in the rogue’s face. He should have attacked her, only her, and for a moment, it had seemed

like it might work.

But then Ella had leapt onto the beast like skind of warrior princess, distracting it until her two knights in

shining armor could csave her.

And all Sophia had gotten out of it was a burnt dress-from having been knocked too close to the bonfire by the

surging crowd.

In the distance, Sophia could hear the sounds of the party continuing. People cheered, toasted their beautiful,

perfect Luna.

Sophia clenched her jaw so hard she thought her teeth might crack. She yanked that stupid, bloody shawl from

around her waist and stomped it into the ground, savoring the sound of it squelching into the mud.

Stupid. This was all fucking stupid.

Just then, Sophia’s wolf perked up. A sound cfrom the nearby forest-twigs snapping underfoot.

Sophia quickly hid behind a nearby tree, carefully peering around it to see a male form stride past and stop a few

feet away. She recognized him immediately. Liam.

For a moment she just watched him as he paced the small clearing, dragging his hand through his hair over and

over again. He was muttering something under his breath, and when he turned, the moonlight casting a pale

silver glow upon his face, Sophia could see his mouth twisted into a grimace.

He was angry.

Sophia tilted her head, considering him for a moment. She knew Liam and Ella had skind of history

together; perhaps one even romantic in nature, although it was probably one-sided.

Regardless of what had happened in the past, though, one thing was clear: Liam was in love with her now.

Maybe, Sophia thought, if she struck up a bargain, they could work together. Sophia knew that Ella and Alex's

marriage was a contract. Perhaps, if Sophia revealed this to Liam, he would expose everything to get what he

wanted.

Ella.

And Sophia... She wouldn't have to do much. She could just watch from the sidelines, waiting for the moment

that Alex would finally cto her and seek comfort.

Then, they could finally be together.

Sophia slowly stepped out from behind the tree and cleared her throat. Liam, not expecting her to be there,

whirled around. In the dim light, his blue eyes took on the ethereal glow of his wolf pushing just below the

surface.

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“You,” he said, taking a step back. “You led that rogue here, didn’t you? Just as you pushed Ella this morning.

Chaos follows you around like the plague.”

Sophia didn’t confirm nor deny it. She just shrugged and said, “We want the sthing: for those two to break

up. Maybe

we should combine our efforts.”

Liam scoffed. “You wantto do your dirty work? I’m not an attempted murderer like you.”

“I never tried to kill anyone.”

“You wouldn't have minded if you did, though.” Liam turned on his heel. “I'm leaving.”

Sophia watched Liam begin to stalk away, but she knew she hadn't sunk her claws in just yet. Her lips curled into

a faint

smile.

“I know how you can end their marriage. No one needs to get hurt. And we’ll both get what we want-you can

have Ella, and I'll have Alex.”

Liam's footsteps faltered. For a moment, he stood there frozen, his shoulders tense and his hands curling and

uncurling at his sides.

But then, slowly, he turned to look at her.

Liam

So their marriage was a contract after all.

Liam had had his suspicions, but Sophia had confirmed them last night. She told him that Ella and Alexander had

signed a contract just before their wedding, stipulating that their marriage would be purely business-no intimacy,

no children, no love.

Just monthly payments to Stormhollow and a promise that Ella couldn't be the one to end the relationship.

No wonder Ella was so adamant about staying in that loveless marriage. She couldn't leave. That brute wouldn't

let her.

The morning after the festival, Liam went straight to Alexander's office. His Beta, Gabriel, was standing guard

outside the door.

“Do you have an appointment, Alpha?” Gabriel asked coolly, stepping in the way just as Liam was reaching for

the handle.

“Yes.” Liam lifted his chin. “I spoke to Alpha Alexander last night. Told him we need to have a discussion. He

should be—"

“Let him in, Gabriel,” Alexander's muffled voice cfrom within the office. The Beta nodded curtly and opened

the door, and Liam stepped inside.

Alexander was standing near the window, poring over a ledger in his hands, when Liam entered. He snapped the

book shut and smiled charmingly, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk.

“Alpha Liam. Please take a seat. What did you want to discuss?”

Liam resisted the urge to show his wolf's fangs. He'd already had his suspicions that this bastard was abusing

Ella. Now, to find out that he was forcing her to live here under duress... Liam wouldn't stand for it. But he

wouldn't show his hand just

yet.

He took a seat and carefully crossed his legs, one ankle over the other knee.

“I keep hearing these rumors,” Liam said airily, as if it were just gossip, “that your marriage with Luna Ella is a

contract.”

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Chapter 9

Alexander's eyebrows shot up. “Oh?”

Liam nodded. “Apparently speople are even of the belief that you're sending Stormhollow monthly

payments. And something about Ella not being allowed to leave of her own accord?” He shook his head and

smiled. “Nonsense, I'm sure. No Alpha worth his salt would force a woman to live like that. Especially not one

who intends to run for Alpha King... And you

and Ella do seem to be in love.”

At first, Alexander's face betrayed nothing. Liam watched him carefully, waiting.

Finally, Alexander sighed. “Did Ella tell you this?”

“Yes,” Liam lied immediately. “She toldyou're keeping her here against her will. I'm worried about her, you

know. And | worry about the future Alpha King having such low morals. If she were forced to sign such a contract,

or if the contract was forged...”

Alexander nodded. To Liam's surprise, he reached into his desk and pulled out a small folder, which he handed to

Liam.

“Everything is in order, | assure you,” Alexander said calmly. “Ella isn’t being held against her will; in fact, she

just signed another legal contract stating that she’ll remain my wife for the next nine months. After that, she’s

free. She made her decision, and willingly. Twice.”

So there were two contracts?

Liam couldn't believe that Alexander had just... handed him the contract like that. Indeed, upon flipping through

it, it was a genuine copy. Complete with two signatures; one from the first contract, dated five years ago, and the

other signed just two days ago.

Ella had certainly signed both of these contracts-that much was clear.

But Liam didn’t know if she had been forced or coerced. Either way, he needed to act quickly. Ella might have

been Alexander's prisoner both physically and emotionally, but now Liam held all the cards.

“Thank you for being so honest,” Liam said, standing and tucking the folder under his arm. “I'm sure the press

will enjoy hearing about this.”

Before Alexander could react, Liam turned and stormed out, contracts in hand.

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