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Ella Eden was raised to be the perfect Luna—gentle, obedient, and never one to complain. Five years ago, she was married off for the sake of her family's alliance to her fated mate, Alexander Solace, the formidable Alpha of the Ashclaw pack. But their marriage was a lie from the very beginning. On their wedding day, Alexander handed her a contract: no intimacy, no marking, no love—just a political union meant to look perfect from the outside. Ella was exiled to the far wing of the mansion, while her husband spent his days with his childhood sweetheart, Sophia, without sparing his wife a glance. After five years of cold indifference, Ella's wolf slipped into dormancy. The doctors gave her a cruel ultimatum: unless Alexander marked her—or rejected her completely—she had less than a year to live. Faced with her own mortality, Ella decides to shatter the mask of the flawless Luna. If she must die, she'll go down fighting—by making Alexander despise her enough to set her free. But to do that, she'll have to play the role of a loving wife in front of the entire pack and the press, right as Alexander campaigns for the title of Alpha King. Yet as their staged affection stirs something dangerously real, as her childhood friend Liam returns to upend the fragile balance, and as Sophia's jealousy twists into deadly schemes… Ella realizes that freedom—and survival—may be far more complicated than she ever imagined. Chapter 1 Ella POV "Luna, you…only have one year to live." The doctor slowly took her glasses off and stared at the floor. "Your wolf has entered a dormant state." I couldn't believe Dr. Evelyn's words. "My wolf… is dormant?" I breathed. "Surely there must be a mistake—" "I'm sorry, Luna, but we double-checked the test results. This disease can be caused by long-term stress and…" She paused, giving me an uncertain look. "…Lack of intimacy with one's found but unmarked fated mate." I swallowed hard. Stress and a lack of intimacy with my mate… That did sound like my life. "Based on the few rare cases I could find, I am supposed to suggest you to mark your fated mate or reject each other completely. But you are my Luna, and your fated mate is our Alpha…" Dr. Evelyn sounded uncertain. "I'm not even marked yet," I whispered, trying not to confuse this kind young woman anymore than I already had. Dr. Evelyn looked up at me in surprise. "You and Alpha Alexander aren't marked? But you're married." I bit my lip, my face flushing hot with embarrassment. It was true; I was married to my fated mate, Alpha Alexander Solace of Ashclaw pack. We had been man and wife for five years, and should have been marked by now. But we weren't. From the moment I recognized him as my fated mate on the annual Alpha ball, I was captivated by him—his handsome yet stubborn jaw, the shock of red hair atop his head, his sage green eyes. He was a remarkable leader, too, intelligent and headstrong and everything an Alpha should be. However, on our mating day, Alexander had handed me a contract and told me to sign it. "Our relationship will be purely contractual," he had said. "For my Alpha reputation, I can't reject my fated mate. But I won't mark you, and there will be no intimacy. End of story." I did think about taking all the blame and rejecting Alexander after finding out that he was just a jerk, but my father, Alpha Richard Eden of Stormhollow pack, had insisted that I accept in order to gain Ashclaw's support. My father had said he was too old to continue managing Stormhollow, and my younger half-brother, Brian, was too young and naive to handle it on his own. We desperately needed Ashclaw's help. After all, Alexander was a formidable Alpha; he had taken over Ashclaw at a young age following his parents' untimely death. Ashclaw didn't just survive under a teenager's rule—it thrived. And besides, my father had raised me to be the perfect Luna—the gentle and obedient woman who would stand alongside an Alpha. It was what I was meant to do, and so, when my father pleaded with me to put my feelings aside and marry Alexander, I had obeyed. As always. Like a good little girl, I married him. I signed the contract. I became his Luna in title and responsibility, but behind closed doors, we were nothing to each other. I moved into the west wing of his mansion, all the way on the opposite side of the house from his quarters. And intimacy? That was entirely out of the question. Even when I initially tried to garner his affection by preparing meals, setting up dates, even just trying to bump into him in the hallway, he didn't reciprocate. Eventually, I gave up. I remained obedient and quiet and hardworking and bottled it all up, even if it broke my heart to think that my husband would never love me. Somehow, I had a feeling that even if I told Alexander about my death sentence now, he still wouldn't love me. "One year, Luna," Dr. Evelyn said gently as I gathered my things. "If you want to live, you must make a decision: mark Alpha Alexander or… reject him." Lilith, my Gamma maid, was waiting for me in the lobby. She wore a simple gray cardigan and a skirt today, her silver hair pulled back into its usual neat bun. She rose quickly from her seat when she saw me coming. "Well? How did it go?" I took her hand and pulled her out of the hospital, into the cool spring air. The breeze cooled my flushed cheeks, and the scent of blooming flowers soothed me somewhat. I always loved spring the most, and the thought of never experiencing another one again was almost too much to bear. "I'm dying," I said simply. Lilith stopped short. "You… what?" The words came out choked, and when I looked at her, there were already tears welling up in her weathered hazel eyes. The sight of her made tears well up in my own, too. Lilith was old enough to be my mother, but she felt more like a sister to me. The thought of leaving her felt even worse than the thought of never seeing spring again. I took her hand and squeezed it. "My wolf is dormant after all," I said calmly, evenly, as if we were discussing the weather—partially because I feared that if anyone else saw me crying or trembling, they might talk, claim that the lovelorn Luna of Ashclaw was finally crumbling. "I have a year to live." Lilith sniffled. "I told you to go to the doctor sooner, you silly girl. You should have gone a long time ago, the very moment you started noticing your wolf fading. They could have caught it, treated it before—" "There is a way to fix this." I pulled my shoulders back and leveled my friend with an even stare. "Alexander needs to mark me or reject me—one or the other. If he chooses one of those options, then I will live." Relief washed over the Gamma's features, but it was short-lived. "Which do you think he would choose?" she whispered, low enough so only I could hear. "Do you think you can handle it if he breaks up with you?" I hated to admit it, but the very thought of our marriage ending made my heart stutter painfully in my chest. We didn't have a relationship, not in the ways that mattered, but… a small part of me wanted him to mark me and not reject me. Finally, I managed, "We'll have to find out." "So you're going to make him choose," she said. I nodded. Lilith's eyes widened as I turned abruptly and made my way to the car. Her shock wasn't misplaced, however; I had always pushed down my own wants and needs for the sake of being a competent Luna for the pack and Alexander, and it wasn't like me to suddenly advocate for myself. But what else could I do? I had to save myself. I could no longer be Ella, the selfless Luna who would push through heartbreak and loneliness and sickness without a complaint. For once, I had to stand up for myself. It was either that… or lose my life at just twenty-two years old. When we returned to the mansion, I was unsurprised to find that Alexander was holed up in his study. He always was—rather than wandering the vast halls of the ancient manor or enjoying the many sunrooms and sitting rooms the space had to offer, he was always locked up in that stuffy office, poring over paperwork. I strode up to the large wooden double doors, hearing Alexander's deep voice rumbling from within. His Beta, Gabriel, was standing sentry outside—and stepped in my way just as I reached for the handle. "You don't have an appointment," Gabriel grunted. "I need to speak to my husband." "Well, then you should have made an appointment sooner. The Alpha is indisposed at the moment—he's in the middle of a meeting. One that you are not invited to." I bristled at the Beta's insubordination. Gabriel had always looked down on me, had always disrespected me. And I had let him. But no more. When you only have a year left to live, you suddenly don't have time anymore to maintain the image of a gentle wolfling who rolls over at the slightest provocation. Especially not with subordinates. "Move," I commanded. Gabriel stiffened, his brown eyes taking on that ethereal golden glow that I had only seen before when Alexander used his Alpha voice. I had never used my Luna voice before. But I had to admit… It felt good to finally use it now. Gabriel's jaw clenched, and I knew he didn't want to move. But he had no choice. His muscles moved of their own accord, neck tilting slightly as if to bare his throat to me. I lifted my chin and waited, willing my face into a mask of authoritative calm. Finally, he stepped aside. "As you wish, Luna." I gritted my teeth and flung the door open, storming inside. Chapter 2 Ella POV I burst into the spacious office, the scent of old books, mahogany, and leather immediately washing over me. But there were two other scents there, too: bourbon and woodfire smoke, the scent of Alexander, my mate and husband—for now. And something sweeter, floral. Sophia. I saw the whip of brunette hair first before I saw her pretty, foxen face. Sophia Oxford, daughter of the Alpha to Moonshine pack, which sat right above Stormhollow and Ashclaw. Ironic that the three packs formed a triangle, because Sophia was always the other woman throughout my marriage that I couldn't shake. Or was it the other way around? She and Alexander had been friends long before I ever came into the picture; being from neighboring packs, they had gone to the same school together, and Sophia and Alexander had apparently been close friends for longer than anyone could remember. There was even a moment in time when it was speculated that Sophia might be Alexander's fated mate. Until I came into the picture and ruined everyone's dreams. Including Sophia's. Even though Alexander and I got married, he always treated Sophia well—inviting her for banquets and balls, buying her birthday gifts, even sharing meals together when he couldn't be bothered to do the same for me. For a long time, I put up with his gentleness toward her; I told myself that they were childhood friends, that he had every right to be kind toward her even when she didn't deserve it. Maybe a small part of myself even believed that if I didn't complain about it, Alexander might finally soften toward me. But he never did. Even when I was the perfect, obedient Luna every Alpha would dream of, even when she acted cruelly and unforgivably, he always chose her. Sophia slowly turned to look at me from the plush armchair where she was perched. She had a tiny teacup and saucer delicately balanced in her manicured hands, and wore what looked like a brand-new dress in the prettiest pink I had ever seen. I looked past her and at Alexander, who was sitting behind his desk, red hair haloed by the sun behind him. He stared blankly at me as I stopped abruptly in the center of the room, green eyes flicking over me like I was a stray cat that had just wandered in. "Ella," he said slowly, not bothering to hide the hint of disdain in his voice. "What are you doing here? I'm in the middle of a meeting." The irritation in his tone wasn't lost on me. Once, it might have made me cower and scurry away with my proverbial tail between my legs. But not anymore. Not now that I was dying and had little time left for such things. "I have something urgent I need to discuss with you." "It will have to wait. I'm busy." I scoffed and gestured toward Sophia. "She practically lives here. I'm sure you two can save your tea party for later." Sophia gasped. Alexander's brows shot up. Clearly, neither of them expected me to speak so bluntly—frankly, I hadn't been expecting it, either. I'd only just discovered I was terminally ill a couple of hours ago and already I was acting like a completely different person. Sophia said in a light voice, "Ella, darling, what do you need to say that you can't say in front of me? We're all friends, after all." Friends? Friends? This was the same woman who turned her nose up at me every time I attempted to be friendly toward her. We couldn't have been further from friends—more like strangers. I slowly turned my head to look at her. My upper lip curled, although no fangs extended—not without my wolf. But I tried to pour every ounce of distaste I could into that stare. "Some things, darling, are better discussed between husband and wife. Unless you're implying that you are a third party in our relationship?" Sophia gasped again, one delicate hand—she'd always been so fair-skinned and slender and fucking perfect, like a little dove—coming up to clutch at the pearls around her throat. Tears instantly welled up in those big blue eyes of hers, although I was certain they were fake. "Why, I never—" "She's gone crazy, Sir," Beta Gabriel suddenly said from behind me. He'd apparently been standing in the doorway this whole time, although I hadn't noticed. "Should I escort Luna Ella out?" I clenched my jaw, refusing to look at anyone but Alexander. He was sitting stock-still, just blinking at me as if in surprise. Then, those green eyes flicked over me again—but in a different way this time. There was something… assessing about his gaze, as if he were seeing me for the first time. I wasn't sure if he had ever looked at me in that way before. Finally, he said, "Gabriel, please see Sophia out." I couldn't hide my surprise at that. Even Gabriel muttered, "Sir?" Sophia shot to her feet. "Alex—" "My… wife needs to speak with me," Alexander said as his Beta moved toward Sophia. "We'll resume our discussion later, Sophia." Sophia looked displeased, but didn't argue further as Gabriel gently took her by the elbow. "Right this way, Miss," he said in a kind voice that he'd never used on me. He led her out, and once the door was close behind them, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. But my reprieve was short-lived, because Alexander barked, "No longer pretending to be the gentle Luna today, are you? You know Sophia is like a little sister to me, and I won't stand for you to speak so harshly to her. Nor will I allow you to make claims about infidelity." His tone made me bristle internally, but I kept my expression neutral. I had no intention of explaining my reasons behind the words I'd said to Sophia, and I had no intention of apologizing for them, either. I was tired of apologies, tired of being quiet and sweet and never standing up for myself. "My wolf has entered dormancy," I said bluntly, clasping my hands behind my back. "You need to mark me in order for it to return. If you don't, I will die within a year." Alexander scoffed. "Ah. Another one of your tricks, just like the 'sweet, gentle Luna' act. Let me guess—you want to secure your position as my Luna, give birth to my heir, by fabricating some made-up illness that forces me to mark you and be intimate with you." Of course. After all my years of hard work, diligence, and perfection, he was so suspicious of me as to accuse me of faking my illness in order to baby-trap him. I hadn't expected any different. "There is another way," I said, lifting my chin. "Divorce me, reject me, and my wolf will return then." "No." Now that took me by surprise. Alexander hated me—there was no doubt about it. I expected him to jump at the chance to divorce me for any reason. But he had refused immediately. It had to be because an Alpha couldn't reject his mate for no reason. It could harm his reputation as an Alpha, make him appear overly emotional and disloyal. And I hadn't technically given him a reason to divorce me—I hadn't cheated or fought with him or done anything other than become ill and mildly infuriating. "I'll be the one to publicly announce it," I said. "I'll take the blame. It won't hurt your reputation." "No," he repeated, rising from his chair. At his full height, he practically towered over me, broad shoulders blocking out the sun streaming through the window behind him. He smoothed down the front of his dark vest, subtly brocaded with gossamer black threads, and narrowed his eyes dangerously. "We are not getting a divorce." Chapter 3 Ella POV His reaction, the anger in his voice, surprised me even more. He wasn't laughing or mocking me, nor did he seem upset. Just… mad. Frustrated. "I don't understand," I blurted out. "You hate me, Alexander. If I'm the one to take the blame, thus protecting your reputation from harm, then why wouldn't you jump at the opportunity?" There was a long moment of silence. Alexander stared at me, green eyes unreadable. I held his gaze, even though it wasn't something I was used to. Then, finally: "Our contract clearly states that only I can initiate a mutual rejection." He pulled a drawer open from his desk and reached in, pulling out a leather bound folder that I knew all too well. He flipped to a certain page and extended it to me. "Page three, clause B." I sighed exasperatedly but took the contract. Indeed, the clause he'd pointed to stated that only Alexander could end our "relationship". I faintly recalled reading it at the time of signing, but had been under so much pressure and the naive hope that Alexander might eventually grow to love me that I hadn't paid much attention. "The only reason I married you," he went on, rounding his desk and crossing over to the small bar in the corner, "was to give the public a good impression—an Alpha who marries his fated mate is a better candidate for Alpha King, after all. And now, with the election coming up, I can't risk losing favor." Right. So this was all about the upcoming Alpha King election. Alexander had always wanted the position, and now that the current Alpha King's ten-year term was coming to its end, new candidates would be campaigning soon. Alexander was one of them. "Furthermore," Alexander turned his back to me and poured himself a glass of bourbon, "your father is still benefiting from Ashclaw's support. Unless you're planning to leave him high and dry with a debt he can't repay." I bit the inside of my cheek. He was pouring himself a fucking drink, his back turned to me, and speaking in a tone as if we were simply discussing business. And I supposed, in a way, this was business. Maybe it hadn't always been that way for me, because I had once stupidly held onto the hope that my fated mate would fall for me, but it had always been a transaction to him. "I'll speak to my father. We'll pay you back the money you gave him and we'll be even." "Go ahead. You've wasted enough of my time today. But don't come crying to me and pretending to be all innocent again when he turns you down." I rolled my eyes and abruptly left without another word. A few minutes later, I found myself in one of the sprawling gardens out behind the mansion. This particular garden, with a gnarled old flowering cherry tree in the center and high hedges, was one of the few places in the mansion where I truly felt at peace. Here, surrounded by the sickly sweet scent of fallen cherry blossoms, I felt like I could breathe. Hardly anyone but me ever came here—the gardeners rarely tended to it, allowing little flowers and shoots of grass to come up between the pebbled walkways. It was the one place here that felt like mine. Not for long, though. Because soon, I would be leaving. I dialed my father's number and sat on the stone bench beneath the cherry tree. "Ella," my father's voice answered after the third ring. "I was wondering when you might call. With the upcoming election, I was considering offering Alexander my public endorsement in exchange for more—" "Dad, I want to divorce Alexander." "What? Why?" "Because my wolf has gone dormant, and I'll die in a year if he doesn't mark me or reject me." "What are you talking about? I've never heard of an illness like that before." "Well, it's true. If you want your daughter to live, you have to help me get out of this marriage. Because Alexander is definitely not going to mark me." My father sighed. "Ella… You know how important this union is. Whatever is going on between you two, you need to take the high road and remain diligent. I understand marriage is not easy sometimes—" "We're not just fighting, Dad. He hates me." "I know it feels that way sometimes, but you have to push through. Stormhollow needs Ashclaw's support. Don't cause any trouble that could impact our pack. Think of your mother's legacy." My throat tightened at the mention of my late mother. She had died when I was just a baby, so I had never met her—but Stormhollow had been her pack. She was the only heir to Stormhollow, but when she had married my father, he had taken on the title of Alpha. Such was the way of things in our world. Men were Alphas. Women were Lunas, props to hold up their male counterparts. And right now… my life was less important than what two men wanted. "Besides," my father went on, "I just purchased a new diamond ring for Margaret for our wedding anniversary. I can't lose our biggest stream of income now. Surely you understand…" I almost laughed out loud at that. Margaret, my stepmother and mother to my half-brother, Brian… She always loved lavish things. My father would gladly spend all of our family's savings on gifts for her. Not me. Never me. I was just the daughter to be used up, even if it killed me. When it killed me. "You really don't care about me, do you?" I bit out, hurt and angry. "I'm telling you that I'm going to die, and you just care about the money." "You're not going to die, sweetheart. You're just being dramatic—" Too frustrated to hear more, I abruptly hung up before he could finish. I hung my head in my hands and breathed deeply through my nose, trying not to cry. There had to be something I could do. Anything. Suddenly, I felt a warm hand touch my shoulder. I didn't need to look up to know it was Lilith, and I leaned into her, letting her wrap her arms around me. "I don't want to die," I whispered, my voice strained from the effort of holding back tears. "I want to live." Lilith sniffled, and when I looked up, her eyes were red and puffy. The sight made me want to cry even more. "Is there anything I can do?" she asked. "I don't know. Alexander won't mark me or divorce me, and I was stupid enough to sign a contract that disallows me from rejecting him myself. And my father just cares about the money. So right now, I'm royally screwed." Lilith made a little sound of distress. "All I've ever done is give," I whispered. "I give and give and give and never ask for anything in return. And now, the one time I don't just want help but need it… I just get blamed, rejected, and pushed away by my own father and mate—the two people who should have my back no matter what." And now I was supposed to die for them, when they would never sacrifice a single thing for me. I laughed bitterly. "I've been so perfect, and yet neither of them will help me." "So stop being perfect." I looked up at Lilith, finding her staring down at me with a new intensity in her gaze. It took me by surprise. "What?" I asked, sitting up straighter. Lilith shrugged. "Do something crazy, something that will push Alexander away," she mused. "If all you've ever done is be perfect, then no wonder he doesn't want to reject you. So… make him want it." I blinked as Lilith's words sank in. It had never crossed my mind to be the exact opposite of what Alexander wanted—rather than being the sweet, gentle Luna who got walked all over and used, I could be a constant thorn in his side, make his life so miserable he would have no choice but to divorce me. "I'd be… free," I whispered, standing. "And my wolf would return…" Lilith nodded and rose alongside me, taking my hands into hers. "I'll help in any way I can. I won't let you die, Ella. Not on my watch." At that, a tear finally slipped out—but it was a happy one. I laughed thickly and pulled Lilith into my embrace. "Thank you, Lilith. Thank you." Lilith leaned into me and held me tight, tighter than anyone had before. "Sorry to interrupt this little moment, but you've got work to do, Ella." The sound of Gabriel's voice instantly made me bristle. I pulled away from Lilith and turned to see both the Beta and Sophia walking toward us. Sophia wrinkled her nose and covered it delicately with a little white handkerchief as if the scent of cherry blossoms sickened her. "Have you forgotten the banquet is tonight?" Gabriel tilted his head. "There will be plenty of high-profile guests in attendance. You have a lot of work to do if it's going to impress them." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Right. The banquet—more like an excuse for Sophia to get drunk and hang off Alexander's arm like his desperate mistress. "I wrote a list of some foods I'd like prepared," Sophia said, handing me a slip of paper with increasingly-decadent meals written down: fresh clams with butter, quail eggs, some kind of pastry I'd never even heard of before. "And you know my stomach is sensitive, so see to it that everything is prepared just right." I clenched my jaw. Lilith subtly nudged me with her elbow. "You do it," I said, looking into Gabriel's eyes. "I'm going to take a nap." Chapter 4 Ella POV I left Gabriel and Sophia standing in the garden. I didn't turn back to look at them, although I could sense their expressions of shock. The thought of two of the biggest pains in my ass being dumbfounded by my actions brought a smile to my face. Now, I just had one more person to throw off: Alexander. I made my way inside, deciding that a nap really did sound lovely after the morning I'd had so far. My suite was all the way on the west wing of the mansion, a good five minutes' walk through the labyrinthine halls. When I finally reached my suite and stepped inside, I hesitated, glancing at the small bed pushed into the corner. I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at the sight. My room was small and insignificant—basically a glorified guest suite. It was well-appointed and cozy—a small bed with a handmade quilt laid on top, a little en suite bathroom, and a writing desk under the window—but hardly fit for a Luna. I should have been dignified enough to share a room with Alexander all these years, but when he had shoved me as far away from his quarters as he possibly could, I hadn't argued. I had taken the assignment with a smile and had even thanked him, as if being treated like a guest in my own home was worth thanking him for. And what was even worse was that my sleeping arrangement hadn't gone unnoticed. The household staff may not have realized that Alexander and I were never intimate, but they certainly knew that he didn't like me. I would often hear them gossipping about it, whispering and giggling over my humiliation. They said that I was no better than a mistress, that I didn't even have my husband's respect. They were right. The thought now made my stomach twist with discomfort. Now that death was so close I could taste it, it broke my heart to think I had spent so many years limiting myself. Lilith was right; if I wanted to live, then I needed to change. And even if I survived this, then I needed to be true to myself afterwards. I couldn't bear to waste any more time letting myself get used and abused. I made a decision then; I wouldn't be napping in this room. No, I would go where I should have gone a long time ago. Without hesitating, I turned on my heel and strode out of my room and down the hall. The closer I came to Alexander's quarters, the more heads I turned. But I kept my head held high and moved with purpose, not letting anyone stop me. Goddess, even the lighting and decor was better in the east wing. Ornate skylights above cast intricate swirling patterns across the marble floors, and portraits depicting Alphas and Lunas from days long gone lined the walls. To think that I had spent so many years avoiding this side of the mansion… "L-Luna?" A young servant girl emerged from Alexander's room with a pile of sheets in her arms. She curtsied when she saw me, although the confusion on her face was evident. "Alpha Alexander is not in his room, if you're looking for him." "I'm not looking for him." I simply gestured for her to move out of the way, and after hesitating for a moment, she did. I knew she thought it was strange for me to enter Alexander's room, as I had never done before, especially without him in it. But I was the Luna for now, whether anyone liked it or not. I could go where I pleased. Taking a deep breath, I turned the knob and opened the door. Alexander's scent washed over me as I stepped into the dimly lit room. The curtains were shut, casting the room into semi-darkness, so it took my eyes a moment to adjust. But as they did, I became aware of the room's grand space—tall ceilings, a large main chamber with a smaller antechamber and an enormous en suite bathroom. A large four-poster canopy bed dominated the main space, freshly made with clean sheets and plush pillows. In the antechamber was a comfortable sitting area with a fireplace, a loveseat, and two armchairs. Alexander had no need for a desk here, seeing as how he had his own study—another luxury I wasn't afforded even though there were plenty of spare rooms in the mansion—but there was room for it. And the bathroom… It was like something out of a dream. An in-floor bathtub the size of a small swimming pool. A walk-in shower with crystal doors that caught the light. And all of the toiletries any person could possibly want. Feeling vindictive, I decided to take full advantage of the space. I began with a luxurious bath, where I used all of the toiletries I wanted, even emptying some of the bottles of lotions and soaps. I lavished myself for a good while, taking care to scrub every inch and even use Alexander's expensive skincare to do a face mask. Afterwards, once I was dried off, I padded into his large walk-in closet and began rifling through his clothes. He mostly just owned suits, some of which I pulled off the rack and tossed onto the floor just for good measure, but I found a plush robe that was luxurious under my fingers and slipped it on. The soft fabric felt like I was wrapped in a sheep's thick coat. Grinning like an idiot, I scurried over to the bed and threw the covers back. I climbed in and nuzzled down into the blankets, letting out a little gasp of pleasure at the plush pillows and silky sheets. This… this was how a Luna should be living. Alexander would no doubt be furious when he found out I'd been in his room—and I did intend for him to find out—but that was the whole point. And if I could also have the time of my life, for once, while working to make him divorce me… Then that was even better. Soon enough, my eyelids began to grow heavy, and sleep pulled me under. … I woke to a familiar scent: bourbon and woodfire smoke. Alexander. Holding my breath, I cracked my eyes open just enough to see him standing in front of the full-length mirror with his back turned to me. My eyes widened slightly as I adjusted to the dim light and realized that he was shirtless, in the midst of dressing himself. For a moment, I allowed myself to just watch him. I had never seen Alexander shirtless before, and while I knew he was muscular and well-built, this… This was something else. The physical attraction I felt upon seeing his broad shoulders and muscular back was immediate and intense. Despite my compromising position, I found my gaze wandering over his form, savoring the way his waist narrowed until it disappeared into his sleek black trousers. And his ass… Was this the specimen that could have been mine if only he hadn't been so cruel? Was this the man that I could have been sharing a bed with all these years? "I'm going to assume you slept enough if you're so wide awake now, staring at my body." The sound of his voice snapped me out of my reverie, and my face instantly reddened. I shot upright, suddenly feeling more bashful than I should have—I had chosen to come here and use his room to anger him, after all, and yet now that he was here, I felt awkward and silly. Alexander turned around, frowning. Goddess, the front of him was even more impressive than the back. "Why are you so eager to be intimate with me?" he asked. As he spoke, his gaze dipped, and I realized with a start that the robe had fallen open, revealing one bare breast, nipple peaked in the cool air. I gasped and quickly shut the robe, but it was too late. He had seen everything. My face reddened even further, and I shifted, preparing to get up. But Alex swiftly moved toward me. Before I could react, he was pushing me back down onto the bed by my wrists. One knee hooked over and pushed my left thigh to the side so he could kneel between my legs. I felt more exposed than ever before as he held me there, staring down at me. I couldn't shift beneath Alexander's weight. He held my wrists fast, pressing them against the bed, and stared down at me. But he wasn't looking at me the way a normal husband would look at his wife. There was hate in those green eyes. "Being sweet and innocent didn't work, so now you're trying out some new tactics to seduce me, eh?" His gaze flicked distastefully across my collarbone. "Even climbing into my bed and wearing my robe without permission. Like a whore." Anger overwhelmed me, so hot and sudden it almost made me burst out laughing. "You got me," I cooed, calming myself somewhat. "How do you like my new style? It seems to have caught your attention, so I must be doing something right." A low growl rumbled in his chest, and I couldn't help but smile knowing that my words had hit their mark. "If this is who you really are," he said, "then you should know that that's the exact kind of person I hate." Good, I thought bitterly. I knew Alexander always hated women like that, and I hoped it made him hate me even more. The sooner I could get this over with, the better. It wasn't as if I had much time left. "Well, I'm exactly that kind of person." I lifted my head just enough so that my breath fanned across his neck as I whispered in his ear, "But if you reject me now, you won't have to deal with me anymore." Alexander stiffened. I almost hoped he would just do it now, say the words and end all of this. It was probably too hopeful of me to think this would be over so quickly, but I was desperate. But he didn't say the words, nor did he release me. And then I felt something shift between us. The mate bond. It was hardly more than a flicker, like a few sparks at the end of a live wire, but I could feel it—the faint ripple of mutual attraction, the speeding of our pulses, the way his body subtly shifted toward mine. His groin slightly pressed against my leg, and I felt something thick and warm twitch in his trousers. Chapter 5 Ella POV I couldn't help it. That damn bond, that fucking perfect form of his—it made my body react in ways I didn't want, made a throb form between my legs that I couldn't tamp down because of the way he had my thighs spread. All it would take was for him to move aside the robe, unzip his trousers… Suddenly, the door swung open. "Alpha, the first guests are arriving for the banquet—" Gabriel's voice cut off abruptly as he saw our compromising position. I jerked my head up just in time to see the Beta's face turn beet red, and he quickly whirled around to avoid looking. "I apologize for interrupting, but the first guests are arriving. They'll be expecting you soon." The moment had passed, and Alexander coolly sat up, then slid off the bed and tugged his button-down on. "Tell our guests we'll be down shortly." We. As if we were a real couple who had been really about to make love. As if any of this wasn't a fucking joke. Gabriel nodded and quickly left. I sat up, pulling the robe tighter around myself, and tried to keep my expression as neutral as possible. I couldn't tell if Alexander had felt the same physical reaction I had to our closeness or if he was just manipulating me, and I decided it was better if I didn't try to find out. "I'll go get ready," I said, standing. "No need." Alexander finished buttoning his shirt and strode over to the door, grabbing his suit jacket on the way out. "I'll send someone to bring you a dress. Since you enjoyed using my suite so much to get ready earlier." I blinked, but nodded tightly. He then grabbed the doorknob, but hesitated, glancing over his shoulder. "For what it's worth, I know you're full of shit," he said. "Try all the tactics you want, but I won't divorce you." And just like that, he was gone. I sat on the edge of his bed for a few minutes, feeling both satisfied that I'd successfully frustrated him for a few minutes but also a little disappointed. This was going to be harder than I thought. A moment later, there was a soft knock on the door. I opened it to find the same servant girl from earlier holding a silky red gown in her arms. "The Alpha asked me to bring you a dress, Luna," she said, curtsying and holding it out to me. I took the dress and held it up, studying it. It was nothing short of dramatic, the silky red fabric flowing down and nipping in at the waist. It had a plunging neckline and low back, and the thin straps were practically nonexistent. I recalled purchasing this dress when I first married Alexander, thinking that he would want me to dress sexy—before I realized that I was expected to dress more modestly as the decent Luna of the strongest pack. I had put it in the back of my closet without wearing it even once and had completely forgotten about it. It was the exact opposite to the sort of thing I normally wore… But since I was dying anyway, why not just wear the damn dress? Alexander POV My parents had been killed six years ago, leaving Ashclaw to me—their seventeen-year-old son. And I knew their death wasn't just an accident. Over the years, I had managed to narrow it down to three packs who may have been involved, one of which being Stormhollow. Ella's pack. I still hadn't gathered enough evidence to be certain, but I was actively searching for the truth. That was why it came as such a hindrance when I found out Ella was my fated mate, and why I had worked so hard to avoid developing any real love for her, even going so far as to place her bedroom as far away from mine as possible. I needed to marry my fated mate for the sake of my pack. But if it came down to discovering that Stormhollow was responsible for my parents' death, then I couldn't risk being held back by love for her. Whether she was directly involved, completely innocent, or a spy for Stormhollow was irrelevant. All that mattered was that I couldn't let a woman stop me from persecuting those who had taken my parents from me. So, for five years, I maintained careful distance, adhered to a strict no-intimacy contract, avoided her at all costs, and was even outright cruel to her just to keep her away. But today, when she had suggested a divorce, I had snapped. I was more upset by the thought than I wanted to be. Someone nudged my arm, and I looked up to see Gabriel staring at me. I'd gotten so lost in my thoughts that I had forgotten where I was standing—outside the banquet hall, waiting to make my entrance. "I still think you should just accept her offer," Gabriel said quietly. "If she takes the blame, it won't hurt your image. You'll still be able to win the election—it might even help you in the long run. Create a narrative about a lovesick Alpha who continues to serve his people despite his heartbreak." My jaw ticked. "I'm considering it," I said slowly, deliberately. "I don't know about this mysterious illness she claimed to have, though." My Beta tilted his head. "Illness or no, I'm still of the belief that she's a Stormhollow spy, and you're far better off without her. It will only bring trouble." "You've been saying that for five years, but admittedly we've found nothing pointing in that direction." Gabriel scoffed. "That's because she acts so damn perfect all the time. But today…" He shrugged one shoulder. "Maybe her mask is slipping." "Maybe. I don't know. Let's not make any assumptions." "Ah." Gabriel sighed. "You've begun to develop some real feelings for her after all, haven't you? Well, I suppose we should have expected this, her being your fated mate at all, not to mention her beauty and prowess as Luna. But you have to let go unless—" "I haven't fallen for her." My words came out harsh, short. Gabriel stiffened, realizing he'd overstepped. He may have been my friend, but at the end of the day, he was also my Beta. "Besides," I went on, perhaps trying to convince myself just as much as him, "I can't fall in love with her. I think her innocence is all just an act, and now she's being insufferable, and…" My voice trailed off as I heard heels clicking against the marble floors. I looked down the hall to see a head of silky blonde hair moving toward me, blue eyes fixed on me. She wore a red gown that hugged her curves, the crimson silk pooling around her feet like a river of blood as she moved. My wolf instantly stirred, ever so strong, and I couldn't push him down this time. "GO KISS OUR MATE AND MARK HER NOW, you moron," he shouted in my mind. "How many times do I have to tell you that?" I swallowed hard and looked away. "Shut up." Chapter 6 Ella POV "Shut up," Alexander whispered. I halted my steps abruptly, furrowing my brow. "What?" Alexander shook his head, almost as if he hadn't intended to say the words out loud. "Nothing," he said. Beside him, Gabriel's face reddened again. Alexander frowned. "Why did you pick that dress? You should change." I bristled involuntarily at his words. Maybe the old version of me would have scurried away and changed into something more suitable—who was I kidding, I would have never worn this to begin with—but not anymore. "Oh, don't be a prude," I bit out. "I can wear what I want and you have no right to control me." With that, I brushed past him, moving to enter the banquet hall. Alexander's hand shot out, grabbing my arm. He pulled me back before I could reach the grand double doors. I whirled on him, prepared to tell him where he could shove his comments about my outfit, but found myself surprised when he simply looped my arm through his elbow. "You can't go alone. We're supposed to walk in together." Right. We did enter these sorts of events arm-in-arm every time. But I knew that the moment we entered the banquet hall, Sophia would show up and cling to Alexander. And I knew he would keep his distance from me for the entire party, just like he always did, leaving me to mingle on my own and become a wallflower while all the other couples danced. He wasn't insisting on going in together because he actually cared about being by my side. This was just for appearances, like it always was, and I would be cast aside the moment I had served my purpose. I abruptly pulled my arm away. "I don't think that's necessary. Everyone knows you hate me, anyway. What does it matter if we're holding hands when we enter?" Alexander's green eyes shifted, a look of something that almost looked like pain flickering through them for the briefest of moments. It was gone so quickly I wasn't sure if I had actually seen it, but it did leave me wondering…. Could it be that he was actually being insincere earlier and actually preferred when I was being more flirtatious? "There will be guests from the Alpha Council Supervisory Board in attendance," he said firmly, taking my hand and placing it on his arm again. I tried not to think about the sight of his bare muscles from earlier as I felt his bicep shift under my palm. "They'll be inspecting the pack for at least a month for all Alpha King candidates. We have to give them a good impression." "Unless you're trying to spread negative rumors about your relationship," Gabriel, who had regained some of his composure, chimed in from behind Alexander. "Trying to ruin your Alpha's chances at becoming the next Alpha King." I snorted, making both Alexander and Gabriel glance at each other in surprise. "Of course not," I said smoothly. "I think Alexander would make an excellent Alpha King if he controls his subjects half as well as he controls me." Despite my obvious jab, I did oblige and tighten my grip around Alexander's arm. Gabriel opened the doors and we strode inside, where the party was already in full swing. Well-dressed guests from all over milled around with drinks in hand, some already twirling on the dance floor as a pianist played a lively tune. Candles flickered on every table, casting the room in a golden glow, and the air smelled like alcohol, cigar smoke, and decadent food. The party seemed a bit chaotic without my guidance—I would have put smaller centerpieces on the tables so guests could see each other better during conversation and I would have placed the dance floor closer to the center of the room, facilitating more dancing and socializing, but it was surprisingly nice. And at least I didn't have to deal with Sophia's nitpicking this time. Gabriel could deal with her instead. As Alexander and I began making our way through the sea of guests, I gestured to a nearby waiter, who hurried over. His eyes briefly flicked over my dress, a look of surprise crossing his face, but he bowed and said respectfully, "What can I get for you, Luna?" Normally, I would have opted for sparkling juice—a drink to hold so as not to make the guests feel uncomfortable, but nothing alcoholic. But tonight, I wanted something stronger. "I'd like a dry martini, please." The waiter nodded and left to prepare my drink. When I glanced at Alexander, I noticed him looking at me. "What?" I asked. "Nothing. Just don't get drunk tonight." "We'll see about that." I took the drink from the waiter when he returned and immediately took a long sip, never looking away from Alexander. Frustrated, he shook his head and looked away. Just then, a familiar form emerged from the crowd—not much taller than me, slender, and sporting an expensive suit that was likely purchased using the money he'd earned from selling me to a man who hated me. Chapter 7 My father. I hadn't seen him in person for months, but he didn't hug me or smile like a normal father might do. Rather, he took my wrist and pulled me slightly off to the side. "What are you wearing, Ella?" he hissed. "This sort of dress is hardly befitting a Luna." When he began to remove his jacket to cover me up, I held my hand up to stop him. "I'm fine. I can wear whatever I want." My father's blue eyes flashed. "What has come over you?" He then gestured to the drink in my hand. "And you should know better than to drink alcohol when you're actively trying to get pregnant." I almost laughed at that. Sure, I used to do everything in my power to make Alexander love me and want to have a family with me, but now I just wanted to live. "And such a strong drink, too," an all-too-familiar voice chimed in. Sophia. She was wearing a feminine white gown that was perfectly tasteful with just a touch of sexiness, her brunette hair pulled back into an intricate updo. "Well, I suppose Luna Ella will finally be joining the adults tonight." I held back the urge to say something nasty in front of my father. But when Gabriel stepped forward and reached for my drink, saying, "The Luna must have made a mistake when she ordered. I'll go get her something more appropriate," I snapped. I yanked my drink away, a little liquid sloshing out over the rim. "I'm not a child," I hissed. "And I'm not a broodmare. If I want a drink, then I'll have a damn drink." My father, Gabriel, and Sophia went silent. None of us had expected me to snap like that—not even me. It was so far afield from my usual self that it had felt like someone else was speaking the words. And yet it felt so… Right. For so long, I had watched everything that went into my body for the sake of not only having a perfect figure, but also being a perfect incubator for a child that would likely never come. I ate light. I exercised. I avoided alcohol. I had weekly facials, spent thousands on personal trainers, tried every diet plan in the book, had even considered surgical options for a better face or body a few times despite never having the guts to go through with it—and for what? All I got in return was a death sentence and a husband who didn't even care when his Beta and childhood friend were infantilizing me in my own home. By now, several people had stopped talking and were watching the confrontation with wide eyes. My father's jaw worked. Gabriel just stared at me. Sophia looked like she had sucked on a lemon. For a moment I considered running away and hiding in shame, but I knew if I did that, then I would be doing the opposite of what Lilith told me to do, and I would be no closer to Alexander divorcing me. I had to save my wolf. I had to save myself. I had to live. Calmly, I said, loud enough for the nearby onlookers to hear, "Are you three done tormenting me, or do I need to throw a fit like the child you think I am?" My father glanced nervously at Alexander and leaned in, dropping his voice to a whisper. "Be careful, Ella." "Or what?" I kept my voice even and clear. I wanted people to hear me. "Alexander will divorce me? Good; I hope he does." Gasps rippled around me. My father looked like he'd been shot in the chest, and physically reached up, clasping his hand over his heart. "Ella, watch what you say in public!" I suppressed a little smile of satisfaction. Suddenly, Sophia said, "Alexander, see how she humiliates you? And you really want this woman to be your wife? If she wants you to reject her so badly, then why not do it?" Only then did I look at Alexander, and I was surprised by what I found. He looked furious, yes, but there was more to it than that. There was that look of pain again. As if my words had struck him where it hurt the most. I braced myself, waiting for him to finally reject me. I had finally given him a proper reason, what with all these eyes on us—I had publicly humiliated him, aired our dirty laundry for everyone to see. He could easily do it and no one would think worse of him for it. Maybe I had succeeded. Maybe I would be okay after all. But then, to my surprise, Alexander rushed forward and closed the distance between us in two long strides. Before I could react, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in for an embrace. "Reject you?" he asked, laughing. "Why would I do that, darling?" Chapter 8 Ella POV The sudden touch of Alexander's hands on my back, exposed from the courageous dip of my dressline, made my skin feel like it was on fire. "Why would I do that, darling?" he laughed. "She keeps making these jokes lately, all because I forgot to rub her feet last night." Rub my feet? I couldn't decide if the laugh or the embrace or the imaginary foot-rubbing was more unsettling. All three of those things were so out of character for him that it briefly made me wonder if he had been replaced with a lookalike in the past thirty seconds. "You never rub my feet," I hissed, pushing my palms into his chest. "You're a liar." Alexander held fast and chuckled. "Women," he joked, eliciting some laughs from the people around us. The only people who weren't laughing were Sophia and Gabriel. My father, for appearances, managed a faint chuckle. "Alexander, what are you talking about?" I whispered, suddenly turning angry. "And let me go." But then I saw the faint glimmer in his green eyes and movement over his shoulder, and I understood. The Alpha Council Supervisory Board had arrived. Six Alphas in expensive suits were moving through the crowd, which was parting around them like the sea. And they were headed straight for us. Now I understood why Alexander was suddenly acting as if we were just a playful couple having a good-natured spat. Why he was lying about our intimate life like that. He was playing up our "relationship" because the Board had just walked in. The whole reason why Alexander had thrown this banquet tonight was to curry their favor for the upcoming election. And he couldn't accomplish that if his perfect little wife was misbehaving, could he? I opened my mouth to say something, not really caring what the Board thought of him at this point, but my father quickly stepped in. "Alphas," he said, bowing his head slightly out of respect. Meanwhile, Sophia and Gabriel had lowered their gazes completely. "It's an honor to see you all tonight." The Alphas all nodded in response, but they were looking at us. I felt my face heat slightly under their scrutinizing gazes. These Alphas were some of the best of the best—elected for the Board based on their hard work and merits. Doctors, philanthropists, lawyers. But one man in particular, who stood at the front, caught my eye the most. He was staring excruciatingly at me and Alexander. His brown eyes kept flitting down to where my palms were pressed into Alexander's chest, then to where Alexander's arms were tightly wrapped around me, and something strange kept crossing his face. There was something almost familiar about him, but I couldn't quite place my finger on it. He was certainly handsome, though—tall and slender but in a masculine way, with his dirty blond hair neatly combed back. He wore a midnight blue suit with a matching tie and a pocket square with a paisley pattern tucked into his jacket pocket. "Alphas," Alexander finally said, turning toward them but keeping one arm firmly wrapped around my waist. I touched his hand, testing it to see if I could pry his fingers away, but he just dug them deeper into my skin as if to silently warn me not to try anything. "I'm so glad you were able to make it." "Alpha Alexander." The handsome man at the front extended his hand, and Alexander shook it. He then turned to me. "You must be Luna Ella." I nodded, and the man took my hand and kissed it. I felt Alexander's arm tighten even further around me, but he said nothing. When the man pulled back, he gestured around us. "This is a lovely party. Did you plan it yourself, Luna?" I shook my head and nodded toward Gabriel. "Not this banquet, no. Beta Gabriel planned it himself. I'm taking on less of a party-planning role these days." Chapter 9 Partially, it was true. But I also said it because I knew the Board might look down upon a pack in which the Luna didn't plan such things herself. My entire goal right now was to make Alexander look bad, force his hand into divorcing me. But I didn't get the reaction I'd expected from my words. The man looked a little surprised, but smiled. "It's nice to see a pack with more progressive views. More Lunas these days are taking on administrative roles rather than party planning, which we believe to be a good thing." He looked around at his comrades, who all nodded in agreement. "Yes, a Luna should be an equal to her Alpha," one Alpha chimed in. "Truly, it's the women in our society who hold us all together." I bristled a little at the praise. Alexander, who had stiffened, relaxed somewhat as well, although I doubted it had so much to do with the progressive comments about women as it was relief that he wasn't immediately on the chopping block. Alexander and the six Alphas went on to talk for a while. Once all six Alphas had drinks and hors d'oeuvres in their hands, Alexander led them around the banquet hall, showing off the various portraits, artworks, and sculptures on display. All the while, he kept his arm firmly around me, so tight I could hardly breathe—let alone slip away. Every time I opened my mouth to say something that might harm him, he would smoothly talk over me as if he hadn't noticed. And all the while, that strangely familiar young Alpha kept staring at me. I couldn't imagine why he seemed so taken with me—was it the dress? Was there something on my face? Or did they overhear the earlier conversation and were onto us? I hoped it was the latter, because if it was, then that would make my work a lot easier. If I ruined Alexander's chances of being nominated for the election by the Board, then he would have no choice but to divorce me. The thought sent a little thrill through me. Eventually, the Alphas dispersed to enjoy the party with Alexander's blessing. But the handsome Alpha lingered behind, once more giving me that strange, almost knowing stare. I was just about to ask if there was indeed something on my face when he suddenly approached. "Ella," he said in a familiar voice, dropping the honorifics, "don't you remember me?" I blinked, staring at him for a long moment. He had just spoken to me as if we were friends, and his face did look familiar… And then it hit me. His dirty blond hair, now neatly styled back but once a mop of golden curls. His soft blue eyes, always too deep and knowing for his own good. The cupids bow in the center of his upper lip. The tiny mole on the right side of his chin. The young boy who had been taken from me. I gasped, my hand clapping over my mouth as I realized that I knew this man, but hadn't seen him since he was a boy. "Liam!" I practically shouted, yanking myself away from Alexander's iron grip. I surged forward and threw my arms around him. "I can't believe it's you! It's been so long, I didn't recognize you—And you changed so much—" "I know," he laughed, hugging me back. "It's been over a decade. I heard a person with your name was living here now and I wasn't certain myself until I saw you earlier." I giggled, momentarily forgetting about everything—my wolf, my illness, Alexander, my father, all of it. Suddenly, I was just a ten-year-old girl again, happy to see her dear friend after too many years apart. That was, until Alexander's hand gently but firmly wrapped around my wrist and pulled me away. Chapter 10 Ella POV The new boy in class was strange, or so the other kids said. They said that he was too quiet, that he stared for too long, that his interest in paper airplanes was too obsessive. They said that he didn't play with them on the playground because he would always ruin their games with his weirdness. And then the teacher seated him next to me, and I saw those big blue eyes and the way his face lit up when he saw me folding a paper airplane underneath my desk, and I knew we were supposed to be good friends. "It's okay. They think I'm weird, too," I said as we sat together in the big flower field out behind the school, making daisy crowns. "The other kids don't like me because of what happened to my mom. They think I'm bad luck." Liam tilted his head, a few soft golden curls falling into his eyes. "What happened to your mom?" I shrugged. "I dunno. She died when I was a baby. But that was a long time ago, and I'm a lot bigger now, so it doesn't bother me." He reached out and took my hand. "It's okay if it does bother you." "Why?" "Because we're best friends now, and friends are supposed to be there for each other when they're feeling sad. That way, you can still feel sad but it's not so lonely because we've got each other." Liam was right—we were best friends. Inseparable, even. We were practically attached at the hip all through second, third, and fourth grade. Until his father, the Head Alpha of the Alpha Council Supervisory Board, sent him away. I didn't even get to say goodbye; Liam just stopped showing up to school, and when I asked our teacher where he went, she said he went off to some kind of special camp for 'kids like him'. And he wasn't coming back. I didn't know what that meant until years later, when it finally hit me: his father, ashamed of Liam's shy nature and too-inquisitive mind, sent him to the type of place where they hammer special kids into an ordinary mold. His father wanted him to become the Head Alpha of the Board. And now he was. Liam looked nothing like the young boy who had been taken from me all those years ago; he was charming and outgoing, he smiled wide and initiated conversations and no longer wore the little paper plane charm necklace I gave him when we were young. But he was still Liam. My Liam. And somehow, seeing him again made everything that was bad in my life slip away. Even when Alexander suddenly pulled me back to his side, his grip possessive around my waist, I couldn't help but smile. "So now you're the Head of the Board," I said. "How does it feel?" Liam's smile widened slightly. Maybe just a little too much. "My father is very proud." I blinked at that, wondering exactly what went on at that camp. But before I could ask, my father cut in. "Is that little Liam?" "In the flesh," Liam replied, holding out his hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Richard." "Why, I never…" My father shook his hand, tactfully leaving out the fact that the last time he had seen Liam, Liam had hardly been able to say hello to him. He then gestured to Alexander. "You know, Liam, given your history with Ella, we'd be very grateful if you gave Alpha Alexander a good review for the upcoming election." My throat bobbed. Of course my father would try to use my reunion with an old friend I thought I'd never see again to get what he wanted. And of course Alexander wouldn't stop him, because he was just as selfish. I glanced at Liam, hoping my father hadn't just ruined everything. To my relief, Liam simply nodded. "I assure you, I'll give Alpha Alexander an honest evaluation." Alexander tensed slightly. My father could only give a dry laugh as a response. "Ella," Liam suddenly said, turning to me once more, "how have you been all these years? I'd like to catch up."