The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 372

**TITLE: The Perfect 372**

Alexander’s eyes were fixed intently on the talisman, a look of deep concentration etched across his features. The object vibrated softly as I brought it closer to him, hovering just above his chest, where the curse had settled like a dense fog, suffocating his breaths. The talisman, despite its faint hum, remained still, as if it were biding its time, holding back its secrets until the moment was right.

“Are you absolutely sure about this?” he asked, his voice low and cautious, as if the very air around us was fragile enough to shatter at any moment.

“Without a doubt,” I replied, my heart pounding in my chest under the weight of what I was revealing. I pressed the talisman into his palm, wrapping his fingers around it with a sense of urgency. My gaze flickered around the dimly lit room, nervous about unseen eyes watching our every move. “If you doubt my words, go see for yourself. I swear I felt it pulse when Gabriel walked past me.”

For a fleeting moment, uncertainty clouded Alexander’s expression. I could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes, but then, with a determined nod, he said, “Stay here. I’ll be back shortly.” He turned abruptly, striding toward the cells where Gabriel was being held. The faint murmur of voices and the ominous creak of a cell door echoed in the stillness, amplifying the tension that hung in the air.

In his absence, silence enveloped me like a heavy shroud, pressing down on my chest and amplifying my anxiety.

Minutes ticked by like hours until Alexander finally returned, his expression taut and serious. “We shouldn’t discuss this here; people might wonder why I’m conversing with an Omega in the cells. Please, follow me to my office,” he instructed, urgency lacing his words.

The tightness in his features confirmed my deepest fears: the talisman had indeed reacted to Gabriel’s presence. It was becoming increasingly clear that the ex-Beta was entangled in something dark and sinister, leaving me in a whirlwind of confusion.

Gabriel was untouched by the curse, wasn’t he? Or was there something even more malevolent at play?

With swift strides, Alexander made his way to his office, and I followed closely behind, trying to maintain the guise of a dutiful servant delivering tea. As I approached his door, I spotted Hunter stationed there, as always, a constant reminder of the barriers that had formed between Alexander and me.

“I’m here to bring the Alpha some tea,” I announced, offering a polite curtsy, but Hunter merely flicked his eyes toward me, unimpressed.

“I’ll take it to him,” he replied curtly, his tone dismissive and cold.

“But—” I started to protest, only to be cut off.

“Let her in, Hunter.” Alexander’s voice pierced through the door, firm and commanding. A wave of bitterness washed over me as I recalled the days when I could enter my mate’s office without a second thought. Those moments felt like a distant memory, slipping through my fingers.

“A few things,” he replied, rising from his seat to circle around his desk. He leaned down, his hands gently cradling my face, and I caught the coppery scent of blood lingering on his fingers, a stark reminder of the violence that had just transpired. “He confessed to forging the contract between you and your father, intending for you to feel guilt when you saw the fire, possibly leading you to turn yourself in.”

I scoffed, disbelief washing over me. “For what? Crimes I never committed?”

“Apparently so.” Alexander straightened, his expression grave. “He came around to my side of the desk and leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m sorry for not believing you sooner about the contract. I should have listened to your perspective before jumping to conclusions.”

“It’s in the past,” I said softly, placing my hand over his. “Right now, we have bigger issues to tackle than dwelling on what cannot be changed.”

For a moment, Alexander studied me, as if wanting to delve deeper into the subject, but he nodded, straightening up and pulling away. “You’re right. There’s something else we need to discuss.” His brow furrowed, a storm of thoughts brewing behind his eyes. “I asked Gabriel who Sophia was referring to when she mentioned he began taking orders from an outside source, but he refused to answer. It seems he’s working for someone else, someone who has compelled him to keep their identity a secret.”

As the weight of our shared revelations settled between us, an unexpected surge of hope coursed through me. The talisman had not only confirmed my suspicions about Gabriel’s dark dealings but had also reignited the flickering flame of trust between Alexander and me. In this moment of vulnerability, I could see the fierce determination in Alexander’s eyes, a reflection of the bond we were beginning to rebuild. The violence he had endured on my behalf served as a reminder of his unwavering loyalty, and I realized that despite the chaos surrounding us, we were no longer alone in our fight. Together, we would confront the shadows of our past and the threats looming on the horizon.

Yet, beneath the surface of this newfound alliance, a lingering tension remained. The blood on Alexander’s hands was a stark reminder of the sacrifices we were willing to make for one another, but it also served as a warning of the darkness that still lurked within our world. As we prepared to unravel the mystery of Gabriel’s allegiance and the true nature of the curse, I understood that our journey would not be without its trials. But with each challenge we faced, I felt the tendrils of fear loosening their grip on my heart, replaced by a resolute determination to reclaim our lives. The path ahead was uncertain, but together, we would forge our own destiny, one step at a time.