The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 358

**The Perfect 358**

**Chapter 358**

**Alexander’s POV**

Ella was alive.

It was a revelation that sent shockwaves through my very being. After all the anguish, all the uncertainty, she was… alive.

I could hardly wrap my mind around it. It felt surreal, like I had stepped into a dreamscape where the impossible had suddenly become possible. I pinched my skin, hard enough to leave a mark, yet the sensation only confirmed the reality of this moment. Perhaps I didn’t want to wake up from this enchanting reverie; I would have happily lingered here, cocooned in this blissful illusion, even as the world around me collapsed, the sun flared into oblivion, and the universe succumbed to darkness.

I could lose myself in this euphoric bubble indefinitely.

But it was more than just a dream; it was a vivid reality, so intense that it ached with the weight of my emotions. Ella was here, alive, and she had been right under my nose all this time. There was no way I would let her slip away from me again.

Yet, lurking in the shadows of our newfound hope was a multitude of obstacles that threatened our happiness.

The curse she spoke of was daunting; a necromancer lurking in her bloodline? The mere concept of necromancy felt like something conjured from the pages of a fantastical tale, not something that could exist in the harsh light of reality. But deep down, I knew Ella had been truthful when she shared this revelation; I felt it in the marrow of my bones.

And then there was the terrifying consequence of her revealing her true identity.

Death. Illness. Suffering.

Initially, I had dismissed her claims. They sounded like mere superstition, the kind of stories old folks tell their grandchildren to instill fear and compliance. But witnessing Liam’s slow decline into nothingness over mere months had shattered that disbelief.

Now, as I reflected on it, everything fell into place. Those late nights when “Stella” would stealthily leave the house, convinced that everyone was asleep, only to return with the scent of antiseptic clinging to her clothes, dark circles under her eyes, and trembling hands from too much coffee—it all made sense.

The pain etched in her eyes—those hauntingly beautiful silver orbs—when I found her with Liam, the way she seemed to berate herself for being there.

The countless hours spent in the library, pouring over books until fatigue claimed her.

It all clicked into focus.

Ella—my Ella—had been enduring torment right beneath my very eyes, feeling utterly powerless, and she had held back the truth from me, fearing I might share Liam’s tragic fate.

In the end, a heavy weight settled on my shoulders; this felt like my doing. If only I hadn’t confined Ella, if only I had been there for her when the Stormhollow mansion was engulfed in flames—perhaps she wouldn’t have met her demise. Maybe she would have remained vibrant and joyous, and we would have welcomed our son into the world when he was ready.

None of this turmoil would have unfolded if I hadn’t been so quick to believe the evidence laid before me.

“Ella.” I reached out as she began to drift away, following Anya out of my office, murmuring about checking on Lucien. My fingers clasped around her wrist, and to my surprise, she didn’t pull away. The trust she had in me, despite my past cruelty, only deepened the ache in my heart. “We need to talk.”

She turned slowly, her gaze meeting mine. It was an odd sensation, staring into those silver depths and seeing my deceased wife reflected back at me. Yet, somehow, it felt… right.

At that, a laugh bubbled up from within me. “I wouldn’t hold it against you for feeling that way.”

“I did, for a time.” She bit her lip in that familiar way, and I wondered how I had been so blind to the truth that she had always been right there beside me. “I thought you didn’t care because you moved on so swiftly. But then, during our date, you opened up, and I realized how wrong I had been.”

My heart ached at her words. “I promise I won’t mislead you again.”

“Good.” Ella inhaled deeply, her expression shifting as if she were about to say something significant. But just then, the door swung open.

We sprang apart, instinctively hiding our connection from prying eyes.

“Alpha,” Hunter greeted, bowing slightly as he entered. “We searched the location you mentioned, but it was deserted. However, we may have a lead on another site; it seems Margaret and Richard have purchased tickets for a boat to one of the nearby islands.”

“Follow them,” I commanded without hesitation. Hunter nodded and exited swiftly. Once he was gone, I turned back to Ella. “Meet me in my room tonight. I know it’s risky, but I can’t bear the thought of sleeping without you anymore. Please.”

Ella appeared taken aback by my urgency. But after a brief pause, she nodded. “Alright. I’ll come once everyone is asleep, but I must leave before dawn. If anyone were to discover…”

“I understand,” I replied softly, my heart heavy. I sensed the curse’s effects already beginning to manifest, though I didn’t want to burden her with that knowledge. The thought of anyone else suffering due to our recklessness was unbearable.

With that, Ella slipped away. As soon as she was out of sight, I grabbed a tissue and finally allowed myself to cough, the sound echoing in the empty room. The tissue came away stained with crimson, and I grimaced, tossing it into the fire.

We needed to find those artifacts. And we had to do it quickly.