Another Chance for the Luna Queen

Ella POV

Alexander watched me approach with a curious look on his face, which quickly turned to confusion as I stormed toward him. I knew my reaction was probably out of proportion, but I couldn't seem to help myself.

It wasn't just my attraction to Alexander that had been heightened since my Wolf's awakening every emotion I felt was dialed up to eleven.

And I hated it.

I hated feeling like I needed someone else just to function like a normal adult. But that was where I was, completely dependant on Alexander.

Alexander had promised me more than once that we would talk things through, yet he had told me nothing. I had bared my soul to him, and I was still in the dark about the nature of his secrets.

might

I didn't know who I could trust. I didn't know be helping David or what lengths they would go to in order to hurt me.

By the time I stood in front of Alexander, my mind was swimming with dark thoughts, my fear twisting through me until I felt almost frantic.

His expression tightened with concern. "What's happened?"

"Nothing," I said. Then, "I mean, a lot. We need to talk. You said we could talk."

"Right," Alexander said hesitantly. "I did say we could talk I'm just not sure now is the right moment."

"You promised yesterday," I pointed out. "I've tried to be patient, but I have so many questions."

"I'm sure you do," he said, slipping off his shoes and walking past me toward the living room. "I'll answer what I can, but I have a meeting with August soon, so we may have to cut this short."

His words irritated me, but I did my best not to let it derail me.

I followed Alexander into the living room and sat on the couch, wringing my hands together, trying to find something to do with my nervous energy. Alexander watched me with a guarded expression.

He looked uncomfortable, but I wasn't sure why. After everything I had told him earlier, what could he possibly be hiding that could compare?

"What was it you wanted to ask me about?" he said, shifting on the couch in an attempt to get comfortable..

I looked at him strangely, not quite sure where to begin. "I want to know how you were able to sneak Dr. McIntyre back into the capital without anyone noticing," I said. "And how you had access to that warehouse to keep her prisoner."

"She wasn't my prisoner," he interrupted. "It was more like protective custody."

"Whatever you want to call it," I said. "You hid her from the King, despite the manhunt for her. I want to know how you had the knowledge and resources to pull something like that off. It's not the first time you've done something like this."

"You're answering your own question," he said tensely. "I was able to do it

because it's not the first time I've done something like this."

"But why?" I pressed. "And how? How do you have so many contacts near the Roguelands? How do you have

people working for you who are so loyal that they're willing to betray the King?" "That's an exaggeration," he said.

"Is it?" I asked. "I understand your reasoning for doing things the way you did, but it was still a direct violation of the King's orders. I think we're very lucky he let it go so easily."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "I don't understand why you're questioning me like this," he said. "Everything I did regarding Dr. McIntyre was for your benefit-to keep you safe. Are you saying you think I did something wrong?"

"Not at all," I said honestly. "I completely understand your motivations, and I'm glad you did what you did. I'm just trying to understand."

"I don't know what it is you think you need to understand, Alexander said, his voice clipped. "I feel it's quite clear-at least on the most important points. You're making too big a deal out of this."

That made me angry, and I bit the inside of my lip, struggling to control my temper.

"I am not being dramatic about this," I replied. "This is a drastic situation, and I think we'll be able to handle it better if we're on the same page."

"I mean this in the nicest way possible," Alexander said, his voice dangerously even, "but I do not need your help with this. I have it completely under control, and getting you further involved will only make things more difficult.

11

"Is that what you think?" I asked, my voice shaking with anger. "That I've made your life more difficult? Well, if that's the case, maybe you don't need my help with the election after all. I'm not sure how I can possibly support you when I don't even know who you really are."

"You don't mean that," Alexander said, his voice tight with anger.

"Maybe I do." I crossed my arms, glaring at him. "If you don't respect me enough to tell me what I'm involved in, then I don't think it's right for me to stand by your side. I need to know what I'm promoting. If your secrets are so terrible that you can't confide in me, then how can I trust you?"

"After everything I've done to help you, you will not back out on me now!" he shouted.

It was the first time he had ever raised his voice at me. Tears pricked my eyes immediately, but I refused to cry.

"Do not yell at me," I said weakly.

“Ella, I don't have time for this," he said, standing up and striding toward the kitchen.

Something inside me snapped.

Without another word, I turned and ran to the front door. I barely paused to slip on

my shoes before rushing out. I didn't grab my coat. I didn't take my purse.

I just left.

I couldn't stand to be in the same space as him right now. I needed to clear my head.

I knew I was overreacting, that I was being hotheaded, but I couldn't get my emotions in check. I didn't

understand why he insisted on hiding things from me.

Was he some kind of criminal? Was he selling drugs? Smuggling goods from the North after all?

No explanation I could come up with made sense, and his refusal to talk to me was maddening.

I took the elevator downstairs and made a beeline for the exit. James, who had taken to waiting around the lobby,

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