The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 445

**TITLE: The Perfect 445**

**Ella’s POV**

“How long was I out?” The words escaped my lips in a raspy whisper, my voice cracking like dried leaves underfoot. It felt as if I hadn’t quenched my thirst in days, and when I attempted to shift my position, a gentle yet firm hand pressed me back against the bed. It was Alexander, his touch both soothing and protective, though I could have easily succumbed to the weight of my weariness without his intervention. The pain radiating from my chest felt as if a searing brand had been placed against my skin, a reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.

“Four days. You’ve been unconscious for four days,” Alexander informed me, his grip tightening around my hand, an anchor in the storm of confusion swirling in my mind.

“Four days?!” The shock of those words burst forth from me, and I couldn’t help but glance around at the others in the room. Their solemn nods confirmed the reality I struggled to grasp. In the spirit realm, time had slipped away like grains of sand through my fingers; it felt like just moments had passed. Yet, here in the tangible world, four long days had vanished without my awareness.

“The crystal,” I murmured, instinctively placing a hand over my chest as memories flickered back to me—the shattering of the crystal, the surge of energy, the intense pain, the engulfing darkness, and finally, the vast sea of souls. Each recollection was like a wave crashing over me, pulling me deeper into a whirlpool of emotions.

The pain intensified, and I quickly withdrew my hand, panic rising within me. “What happened?” My eyes darted around the room, searching for answers among the faces of those I trusted.

“Don’t move,” a familiar voice interjected. Dr. Evelyn stepped forward, her expression a blend of concern and relief. “You’re still healing. The shard pierced your heart, Ella.” When she uttered my name, her disbelief was palpable, yet she pressed on, “You nearly died. We had to perform emergency surgery.”

My gaze fell to my chest, a mixture of dread and curiosity swirling within me. “Did you get it out?” I asked, my heart pounding in my ears.

Dr. Evelyn’s face darkened. “Most of it. But there’s a small piece we couldn’t remove. It’s embedded too deeply near your heart. Trying to extract it would have killed you, so we had no choice but to leave it there.”

My breath hitched in my throat. “So there’s still a piece of the crystal in me?” The realization settled like a stone in my stomach.

“A small piece, yes. About the size of a grain of rice.” She hesitated, her brow furrowing. “We don’t know what long-term effects it might have. The crystal’s energy is… unusual. We’ve been monitoring you closely, but so far, your vitals are stable.”

A piece of the Viridian Crystal was lodged inside me. Forever. The weight of that knowledge felt heavy, almost suffocating.

“Ella?” A voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through my body. There, in a wheelchair, was my mother. She looked pale, her skin almost translucent, but her eyes sparkled with life and a warm smile graced her lips. “How do you feel, dear?” she asked, wheeling herself closer, her concern evident.

“Like I got stabbed in the chest,” I attempted a joke, but the humor fell flat in the air. No laughter followed. Instead, I saw tears glistening in my mother’s eyes as she took my hand, her thumb caressing my knuckles. In that moment, relief flooded through me. She was alive.

Yet, as gratitude washed over me for my mother’s recovery, something else stirred within my chest. It wasn’t pain; it was more like an awakening. I could sense the crystal shard pulsing in rhythm with my heartbeat, and with each pulse, an unfamiliar sensation coursed through me—something I couldn’t quite articulate.

I concentrated on the wound, and beneath the layers of gauze, flesh, and bone, I swore I could feel that same warmth I had experienced in the spirit realm when I had channeled its power.

**Chapter 445**

“What’s happening to me?” I asked my wolf, the connection between us feeling stronger than it had in months. It was as if the bond had been reignited, even more potent than before I had sacrificed the mate bond.

“The crystal,” she replied softly, her voice laced with reverence. “Its energy has changed us. I can feel it.”

“Changed us how?” My curiosity was piqued, mingled with a hint of fear.

“I don’t know yet,” she admitted, her tone thoughtful. “But we’re different now. Stronger, maybe. Or something else entirely…”

Her words should have sent a chill down my spine, but instead, I felt a strange sense of calm. The crystal had saved me in the spirit realm, granting me the power to defeat Margaret when all seemed lost. Perhaps the changes it brought would lead to something good.

Or perhaps I was merely being naive.

“What about Lucien?” I suddenly blurted out, my gaze snapping to Alexander. “Is he—”

“He’s okay. Well, not okay, but alive. Healing.” Alexander’s face was drawn, the lines of worry etched deep. “He’s in the nursery. The doctors have been checking on him constantly.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify