The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 361

**Title: The Perfect 361**

Ella’s POV

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Before the first light of dawn had even begun to creep through the curtains, I found myself slipping out of Alexander’s room—our room, I reminded myself. The warmth of the blankets was intoxicating, and leaving his side felt like tearing away a piece of my soul. Alexander was still half-asleep, his body barely stirring as I reluctantly disentangled myself from the cocoon of his arms.

“Don’t go,” he murmured into his pillow, his voice thick with sleep as he instinctively grasped my wrist, pulling me back toward him. “Stay.”

His plea sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a warmth within me that I had thought I might never experience again. I felt his lips begin to trail soft, open-mouthed kisses along my neck and shoulder, igniting a familiar heat that swirled in my belly. A soft moan escaped my lips, a sound of longing and desire that echoed in the quiet of the room.

But I had to leave. As desperately as I wanted to stay curled up next to him, the weight of the curse loomed over us like a dark cloud. We couldn’t risk anyone discovering us together; the consequences were too dire. If anyone caught a glimpse of our secret, they would start asking questions, digging deeper until they unearthed the truth about who I really was.

They had no idea that in seeking the truth, they would be sealing their own fate.

Just like the farmer. Just like Liam.

And just like Alexander.

The thought twisted painfully in my chest. Liam was still lying in a coma, trapped in a world of darkness in the hospital. And yesterday, Alexander had uncovered my secret. It was only a matter of time before the curse began to manifest in him, or worse, before an accident struck, taking him from me without warning. And we still had no idea where Margaret had disappeared with the artifacts that could save us.

I had to push those thoughts away. It was the only way I could maintain my sanity.

So, with a heart heavy with longing, I pulled myself away from the warmth of his body and padded softly toward the door.

As I glanced back, Alexander sat up, the blankets pooling around his waist, his tousled red hair framing his face, still drowsy and beautiful.

“You’ll come back again tonight, right?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, laden with hope.

The desperation in his tone shattered my heart all over again. I couldn’t bear to say no—not to him, not to myself. So I nodded, forcing a watery smile onto my lips. I burned the image of him looking at me like that into my memory, and then I slipped out into the hallway.

As I hurried down the corridor, the house slowly awakening around me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our situation resembled a clandestine love affair—both thrilling and deeply unsettling. If the circumstances had been different, if the specter of death hadn’t loomed over us, I might have felt like a character in a romantic tale. But in reality, I felt an emptiness gnawing at my heart. I belonged in that room with Alexander, by his side, and yet fate had cruelly torn us apart.

What if it tore us apart again?

Determined to distract myself, I threw myself into my responsibilities. Clad in my standard gray Omega uniform, which now felt more like a costume than a uniform since Alexander had uncovered my true identity, I began my routine with Lucien.

Wake him. Change him. Dress him. Feed him. Take him for a walk through the gardens, the frost crunching beneath my feet, the crisp early-winter air oddly calming.

Soon enough, it was time for my bi-weekly meeting with Anya and the wedding planner.

As I stepped into the parlor, I was taken aback to find Anya beaming over a collection of fabric swatches and mock centerpieces. She waved me over, scooting aside on the sofa to make room. The planner remained focused on her binder, oblivious to the fact that we were really planning my wedding to Alexander.

As we worked, I felt myself slipping back into my role as Luna, the familiar confidence returning like an old friend. By the time we wrapped up for the day, the planner looked bewildered.

“Are you sure you’re satisfied with all of this, Luna?” she asked, glancing at Anya. “You’ve altered so many of your initial plans… It seems you’ve left many of the major decisions to the…” She hesitated, wrinkling her nose as she glanced at me. “… nanny.”

My wolf bristled at the planner’s condescending tone, but Anya simply nodded. “Of course I’m happy with it.”

The planner didn’t press any further. Once we were alone, Anya turned to me, her radiant smile illuminating the room as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

“This is so much fun,” she whispered, squeezing me tightly.

I returned the embrace, feeling a mix of gratitude and surprise. “You really don’t have to go through all this trouble, you know. After everything Gid…”

“You didn’t do anything wrong except fall in love with your fated mate.” Anya pulled back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I might not be looking for love myself, but I adore love. It fills me with joy to see you happy. And it seems like we’ll all get what we desire in the end.”

I offered her a faint smile, brushing my thumb gently across her cheek. “My sweet girl,” I murmured, pulling her in for another hug.

Yet, despite the warmth of her kindness and selflessness, a pang of fear crept into my heart once more.

I prayed that the curse wouldn’t take its toll before this joyful day on the horizon.