Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 368 Ella POV The city lights blurred past as we drove home, the weight of the press conference still pressing down on me. The car was quiet except for the hum of the engine, the chaos of earlier now a distant echo.

Alexander's hand found mine, his grip steady and warm. "It's over," he said softly. "David is out of the picture. You did what you set out to do." I turned my gaze to him, studying the calm certainty in his expression. "And now what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He squeezed my hand. "Now, you get to decide what comes next." That was the part that scared me.

For so long, my only goal had been stopping David. I had lived and breathed that mission, every decision guided by that singular purpose. I never let myself think about what cafter.

And now, standing at the edge of an open future, I didn't know how to move forward.

"What if I don't know what I want?" I admitted.

Alexander smiled faintly, bringing our intertwined hands to his lips. "Then you take your tfiguring it out. But whatever you choose, you don't have to do it alone." I swallowed against the lump in my throat. "I do know one thing.' He arched a brow. "What's that?" "} I looked into his eyes, finding my answer there. "I want to stay with you." A flicker of something deep and unreadable passed over his face before his expression softened. "Are you sure?" I nodded. "Being with you means a life of danger, responsibility, hard choices. I know that. And I know it won't be easy." I exhaled. "But you're worth it." His hand tightened around mine, his gaze darkening with emotion. He didn't say anything right away, but he didn't need to.

I had my answer.

"I guess we can rip up that contract," Alexander said after a beat of silence.

I stared at him for a moment then laughed.

The contract we had signed at the beginning of our deal seemed like a lifetago. Back then, we had been insistent that this was a fake relationship that meant nothing. If I could have guessed the outcback then...

"And I guess you don't want a divorce anymore?" he asked. His tone was still joking, but I could see the way his eyes fixed onnervously.

"Of course not," I answered without hesitation. "You're stuck withnow.' "I think I can live with that," he said with a smile.

I reached for his hand and he laced his fingers with mine.

Alexander was right about my wolf becoming a normal part of my life. She was ever present and her feelings were 17/3 Chapter 368 strong, but I was getting better at moderating them..

425 BOHUS Right now, she was howling with delight. I blushed a little, embarrassed by how much just being near him could impact me.

Even when I'm feeling miserable Alexander's presence is enough to reassure me. As long as we're together everything will work out.

I knew that was a naive thing to think, but it felt true. Together, we always found a way to get through every challenge.

Even learning that he had a daughter didn't change the way felt. If anything, it madelove him more. He had accepted the truth so easily and didn't seem to hold any grudges against Sabrina for the situation.

He accepted his responsibility as Lexie's father and agreed to care for her even before he met her. That was the kind of man he was. Deep down, he wanted to do the right thing.

And he was willing to break the law to do it.

In the original timeline, I would have thought that those two things were contradictions, but I knew better now. The world was more complicated than that. Maybe Alexander could do more good as the king because he was a criminal. At least, I hoped that was true. When we arrived home, Alexander helpedout of the car his touch lingering. But as we stepped inside, his phone buzzed, and his expression shifted.

"I need to handle something in my office," he said after looking at the screen for a long, tense moment.

I frowned. "Ice King work?" He nodded.

I wanted to press him for details, but I knew better. Sthings he couldn't share, not yet. "Just... be careful," I murmured.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Always." With one last lingering glance, he disappeared into our bedroom to change, leavingalone with my thoughts.

I wandered into the living room, sinking onto the couch. The silence felt heavier than before. I knew that he would be okay, but it still unnervedwhen he had to rush off like this.

I knew almost nothing about what he actually did when he was acting as the Ice King. I wasn't sure that Lactually wanted to know. If I asked him, he would probably tell me.

I shook my head to get rid of the thought. I didn't want to know. It was better if he kept ssecrets to himself.

"Get ssleep," Alexander said as he left our bedroom and ctowards me. "I will," I promised.

He kissed my forehead, then headed out the door.

My mind started to race almost right away. I needed a distraction so I wouldn't let myself spiral. On impulse, I pulled out my phone and dialed a familiar number.

It rang once before my mother's voice filled the line. "Ella?" she asked, her tone filled with worry. "Oh, thank god. I've been so worried. Are you alright?" "I'm okay, Mom," I said, though I wasn't entirely sure it was true.

2/3 Chapter 368

She let out a shaky breath. "We saw the news. The whole world is talking about it. Your father and I we Wanted to call earlier, but we didn't know if you were busy. I'm sure this has been a lot for you to deal with." Guilt pressed against my ribs. "I should have called you sooner."

"Sweetheart, you've had a lot on your plate." Her voice was gentle. "But now that David is out of the way, tell-What do you need? Is there anything your father and I can do to help?" I opened my mouth to say no, but then I hesitated.

My father was a powerful alpha. His resources had helpeduncover the truth about Diana-maybe he could help again.

"Actually... yes," I said slowly.

"Nit," she said immediately.

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around my phone. "I need someone to look into Archer Gray. Quietly. I don't want you or Dad getting pulled into anything dangerous, but I need to know the truth." "Truth about what?" she asked, though I could tell from her tone that she suspected.

"Was he working with David." I took a shaky breath then added, "but I don't want you to get involved with anything dangerous."

There was a pause on the other end.

Then, my mother spoke with quiet with le determination, "We can handle ourselves, Ella. I'll talk to your father. We'll do what we can." Relief washed over me. "Thank you." "Always," she murmured.

As we hung up, I exhaled.

The fight wasn't over. Not yet. But I had people on my side. And for the first tin a long time, I wasn't alone.

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