The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 357

**TITLE: The Perfect 357**
**Chapter 357**

**Ella’s POV**

“How much of that did you hear?”

The question escaped my lips more forcefully than I had intended, an involuntary reaction fueled by sheer panic. Just when I thought the night couldn’t spiral any further out of control, Anya—the sweet, innocent girl who should never have been entangled in these dark affairs—had possibly caught wind of everything.

She knitted her brows in confusion, her eyes searching mine as she stepped further into the room, gently closing the door behind her. “I heard enough,” she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I heard you mention something about not being able to get too close, and that people could get hurt if they ask too many questions.”

In that moment, I exchanged a glance with Alexander, a silent communication passing between us that was laced with both fear and a flicker of relief. At least Anya hadn’t overheard anything that could seal her fate, but she had definitely grasped more than we could ignore.

“It’s your decision,” Alexander murmured, his tone low and serious.

I felt a knot form in my throat as I wrestled with my thoughts. Anya was so pure, so kind-hearted, and so resilient. How could I possibly bring myself to deceive her? Yet, how could I risk her safety by revealing too much?

With Anya’s gaze fixed on me, waiting for an answer, I finally settled on a half-truth.

“Please, take a seat,” I urged, gesturing toward one of the inviting armchairs near the flickering fireplace. Anya perched on the edge of one, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. I chose the chair beside her, my own anxiety mirrored in the way I fidgeted.

“Anya, there’s something important I need to share with you,” I began, hesitating as the weight of my words settled heavily in the air. “But there’s also a great deal that I simply can’t disclose. Trust me when I say that I wish I could, but I’m bound by circumstances beyond my control.”

Her expression morphed into one of confusion. “I’m not following you…”

I exhaled deeply, the tension palpable. “I’m… not who I appear to be,” I confessed, my voice trembling slightly. “But if I reveal the truth, it could put you in significant danger. Until I can sort everything out, I cannot afford to put you at risk.”

“So, you’re a spy or something?” she asked, a hint of disbelief coloring her tone.

For a fleeting moment, I was tempted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but the gravity of our situation rendered humor impossible.

“Not exactly,” I replied, shaking my head. “It’s much more complicated than that. In time, I hope to share everything with you. But first, Alexander and I have some pressing matters to address. Until then, revealing too much is simply too perilous.”

She fell silent, her gaze drifting to the patterned carpet beneath her feet, lost in thought. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice small and uncertain, “So, are you two in love?”

The question pierced my heart, so innocent and genuine, and I knew I couldn’t fabricate a lie. I glanced at Alexander, who offered me a reassuring nod, granting me the freedom to choose my response.

“Yes,” I finally admitted, the word hanging heavily in the air.

To my relief, Anya didn’t appear hurt or upset. Instead, she lifted her gaze to meet ours, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Well, if you’re in love, I won’t stand in your way. I always suspected it, but I’m glad you’re being honest about it now.”

“I’m glad too,” Alexander said, stepping closer to me and placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch enveloped me, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the past few months. Yet, it also stirred a painful reminder of the urgency of our quest—if we failed to find those artifacts soon, this connection might be severed forever.

“But I have to ask,” Anya interjected, straightening her posture as she directed her attention to Alexander. “What about the marriage? Is the contract still valid, or…?”

Anya smiled warmly and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, though she wrinkled her nose at my disheveled appearance. “You smell like a basement,” she teased, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. “I’m guessing that has something to do with your big secret?”

“It does,” Alexander admitted, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

“But what about you two?” Anya asked, glancing back and forth between us. “I heard you mention not being able to get too close—do you have to hide your love until it’s safe?”

“Unfortunately,” Alexander replied, his voice quiet as his smile faded. But when he turned his gaze back to me, it was filled with tenderness.

His eyes flicked to my neck, where the mate mark had once been—a smooth patch of skin now, a painful reminder that our bond was incomplete. Not until he marked me again would we be whole.

“But afterwards, I want to marry Stella,” he continued, his voice resolute. “I want to mark her and tell the world everything.”

Tears welled in my eyes at his declaration, and Anya’s grip on my hands tightened in solidarity.

“Then let’s proceed with the public wedding preparations,” she said firmly, her determination shining through. “It’ll keep people from asking questions, and you can plan your wedding in the meantime, allowing you to declare your love as soon as possible.”

I turned to her, my breath caught in my throat. “You’d really do that?” I whispered, barely able to believe her offer.

Anya nodded, her smile radiant in a way that warmed my heart. “Of course.” She reached out for Alexander’s hand, and he took it, allowing her to pull him closer to me. She joined our hands together, a gesture of unity that felt almost sacred.

“And I’ll make you the most beautiful wedding dress the world has ever seen,” she declared, her excitement infectious.