Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0098 Alexander POV I gasped in surprise as Ella put her arms around me.

I hadn't expected it. I thought she'd call my bluff, put her hands out and pushaway, or pull back in sway. But instead, her big, dark eyes had closed with anticipation The soft press of her lips against mine, the warmth of her arms wrapping around me, pullingcloser-it was too much. A mistake.

Gently, and with more reluctance than I cared to admit, I pulled away from the kiss.

Ella's hazy eyes blinked open, staring atwith a mix of confusion and something else-something softer. I stepped out of her embrace, bending to retrieve the ridiculous plush bunny that had fallen to the ground. I brushed off the dirt carefully before handing it back to her.

She took it with both arms, crushing it against her chest, her expression full of embarrassment and confusion. "What was that?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.

"Acting," "I replied, though my voice sounded strange, even to me. "We're in public, after all. This is supposed to a romantic moment between us, and even though no one's close enough to hear our conversation, we should asswe're always being watched." Ella's eyes narrowed slightly, and though she didn't argue, could tell she wasn't entirely convinced by my explanation.

It was only natural that she would be skeptical-because I wasn't confident in my explanation either. The truth was, I had meant to tease her, but my true motivation had been the growing affection I felt for Ella-an affection that was becoming far too strong for the arrangement we had struck.

Something about her tested my resolve without her even trying. She didn't play games, didn't manipulate, and yet, she got under my skin in a way I couldn't understand.

It wasn't a Ella was doing intentionally, this was my problem and one I needed to handle. I couldn't afford to mess this up.

I wanted to becking, and Ella had the skills and information necessary to helpget there. She was my partner in this, and we both had our secrets. I wasn't going to ask her who her sources were, just as she wouldn't ask about mine. Our deal was a transaction, nothing more.

I couldn't let my feelings derail everything. I had to maintain control or risk losing everything I'd worked for.

Ella POV The rest of the evening with Alexander was pleasant, but there was an unspoken tension between us, something heavy that lingered in the air.

I knew that kiss had been more than just acting, but I wasn't about to challenge his explanation. I understood why Alexander didn't want to escalate things between us-he had his reasons, valid ones.

I didn't want to either. We needed to stay focused on what mattered: protecting the kingdom from an unworthy king by making sure David never rose to power. Our partnership was built on that, and it was crucial that we didn't lose sight of it.

While it was nice to enjoy each other's company, I needed to keep my perspective clear. This wasn't about emotions; it was about protecting my family and my pack. Nothing more.

1/3 +25 BONUS Chapter 0090 We made our way to a nearby hill, where other couples had gathered to watch the fireworks.

Sitting together on the grass, I leaned my head against his shoulder and hugged the plushie he had won for me. Neither of us spoke, both lost in our own thoughts. Yet, there was a warmth and comfort in simply being near him that I allowed myself to indulge in, if only for a little while Alexander's arm wrapped aroundas the fireworks started. I kept my eyes fixed on the bright lights as they exploded above us, by my thoughts were entirely on how good it felt to be held by him.

By the tthe fireworks ended and we had woven through the crowd toward the parking lot, it was already very late. Alexander, still holding my hand, opened the back door of the car for me.

"Thank you for coming withtoday," he said softly.

"Of course. I had a lot of fun," I replied, smiling.

He hesitated for a moment, then stepped back to allowinto the car.

His driver would takeback to my parent's house since it was too late for Alexander to drivehimself, as he usually did.

He needed to get hto prepare for work tomorrow, and although I could tell he would've preferred to drivepersonally, it simply wasn't possible tonight.

There was something in his hesitation that tugged at my heart, and before I got into the car, I stood up on my and kissed him lightly on the cheek "Have a good night,” I said quickly before slipping into the car.

"Stay safe, Ella," he said softly, closing the door behindtoes I watched him through the tinted window as he stepped back, and then the car began to pull away from the curb, leaving a bittersweet feeling lingering in the pit of my stomach.

I dozed off during the long drive home, the plush bunny-white with pink inside its ears and on the tip of its nose - firmly tucked in my arms. It was a little childish, but I couldn't help thinking how sweet it was of Alexander to win it for me.

He'd teased me, saying it reminded him of my cute pajamas, which had madea little embarrassed but also touched that he remembered such a small detail.

Thoughts of Alexander lingered in my mind for the duration of the drive. By the tI finally got out of the car and let myself into the house, I was exhausted.

I wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed. The house was dark and silent, everyone already asleep, so I quietly made my way upstairs to my bedroom.

I set the bunny on my bed and began changing into my pajamas. Just as I was about to turn off the light, something on my desk caught my eye. I walked over curiously and picked up an envelope.

A cold chill ran down my spine as I recognized David's handwriting. Another letter. It had been a white since his last last attempt to contact me, and had foolishly hoped that all the publicity about my relationship with Alexander might have made him give up. But clearly, that was only wishful thinking.

I sat down at my desk, grabbed a pen, and began to scrawl "Return to Sender" across the front of the envelope when I froze. I stared at it, my mind racing, trying to process what I wasn't seeing. There was no stamp.

Chapter 0098 No postmark This had been hand-delivered.

My heart pounded as the realization sunk in. David had somehow managed to get this letter into my packlands, bypassing all of our security.

Goosebumps broke out over my skin.

as I stared blankly at the envelope. This wasn't just a lexter it was a wasn't just a warning. A threat. David was lettingknow that he could reach me, even where I thought I was safest. Had he delivered it himself? Or had one of his spies brought it to me? It didn't matter. The message was clear: 1 wasn't safe from him, and I never would be.