The Perfect 26_The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 26 

 E

 The following morning, I woke to the sound of water running. I cracked one eye open first, then the other, and realized that Alexander was n? lenger sleeping beside me.

 Yesterday’s memories, still too fresh forfort, washed over me. The kiss, the bitterness, the awful things we’d said to each other before bed. But pushed the negative feelings down and sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes as the shower shut off in the other rooms.

 A momentter, the bathroom door opened, and Alexander stepped out with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets clung to his chest, sliding down the nes of his muscles before disappearing beneath the towel.

 I quickly looked away, cursing my body for responding to the sight. For five years I had yearned to share a bed with this man, and now I couldn’t wait for this phase to end if only because it was a constant reminder just how instinctively my body reacted whenever i was close to him.

 “Morning,” Alexander said, crossing to his closet. “Sophia and her parents areing by today.”

 I stiffened slightly. “What? Why?”

 “To discuss the bonfire incident and the contract leak.”

 “Oh. When are they getting here?”

 “About an hour.”

 I was a little chagrined that he hadn’t told me sooner, but nodded and slipped out of bed, hurrying past Alexander while his back was turned.

 By the time I emerged from the shower a little whileter, he was gone. I picked out a simple blouse and a skirt, then made my way downstairs with a little time to spare—just enough time for a cup of coffee.

 But to my surprise, voices were already drifting from the sitting room.

 I entered to find Sophia perched on the sofa. On either side of her sat her parents, Alpha John and Luna Helen Oxford of Moonshine pack.

 Alpha John was a tall, distinguished man with salt–and–pepper hair and a neatly trimmed mustache that curled up on the ends. Luna Helen was slim and elegant, with the same brte hair as her daughter, although hers was shot through with silver.

 None of them looked at me as I entered.

 Alexander was standing by the firece. Gabriel leaned against the windowsill, his arms folded across his chest.

 I took a seat in an armchair across from them, keeping my expression neutral. I knew exactly how this would go. Sophia was their precious, perfect daughter. They’d spoiled her rotten her entire life, indulging her every whim and excusing her worst behavior.

 They wouldn’t believe she was capable of anything truly malicious.

 “Now that we’re all here, let’s get started,” Alexander began, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a delicate ne with a single pearl on it and held

 it up. “This was found at the bonfire site, near where the rogue appeared. There’s rogue blood and fur on it.”

 Sophia’s face went white at the sight of the ne. Luna Helen gasped, her hand flying to her own pearl ne that she always wore.

 I would recognize the ne Alexander was holding anywhere.

 It was Sophia’s. She wore it constantly.

 “What are you suggesting?” Alpha John asked.

 m suggesting that Sophia was involved with the rogus attack at the Spring Celebration, 

 The room fell silent. Sephia’s eyes filled with tears, her lower lip trembling. It was a performance I’d seen many times before the innocen

 But to my surprise, her parents didn’t immediately jump to her defense. Alpha John turned to his daughter incredulously, “Sophiat is the Intel? 

 Her shoulders slumped. A single tear slid down her cheek. “It was just supposed to be a prank,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt.

 I couldn’t help it–t scoffed. Loudly.

 All eyes turned to me. Alpha John’s gaze was particrly sharp. “Something to add, Luna E?”

 “Yes, actually,” I said, folding my hands in myp to keep from strangling Sophia. All I could think about was that little girl who had almost been mauled. The little girl who would have been mauled had I not distracted the rogue. “A prank, Sophia? Really? You expect us to believe that? That rogue nearly attacked a little girl.”

 “But nothing happened to her.” Sophia sat up straighter. “You saved her, didn’t you? Everyone’s fine, and you even got to be the hero.”

 “E is right. That was a very dangerous and stupid prank, Sophia. You’re lucky I even let you set foot in my house after that.”

 Sophia’s eyes began to flutter anew. I just whipped my head toward Alexander,pletely taken by surprise. Had he just… agreed with me?

 Had he ever stood on my side against Sophia before?

 “Sophia.” John’s voice was low and dangerous again. “Apologize to Luna E. And to Alpha Alexander.”

 Sophia’s face twisted briefly before smoothing into a contrite expression. “I’m so sorry, Alpha Alexander. Luna E. It was foolish and dangerous, and! take full responsibility.” She bowed her head and wrung her hands in herp.

 There was a moment of silence after that, punctuated only by Sophia’s asional sniffles. Frankly, I thought she was fucking lying. I didn’t think she was sorry at all, nor did I think it was “just a prank“.

 I had a feeling she wanted to see someone get hurt. And that “someone” was likely me.

 But for now, I held my tongue. It would do me no good to fight it now, not with her parents prepared to jump to her defense. And even if Alexander had taken my side once, it didn’t necessarily mean he would do it again.

 “Well.” Alpha John pped his knees and stood. “Now that that’s settled, I suppose we should go-”

 “Actually,” Alexander said, “we’re not finished.”

 John and Helen exchanged nces. Alexander took a deep breath. “As you know, there was a leak regarding a contract between myself and E.”

 “Yes, we saw,” Helen said with a shake of her head. “How awful. A breach of privacy!”

 “Indeed,” Alexander agreed, eyes darkening. “And ording to a witness, an older couple came to the news agency to leak the information. Oddly enough, the couple allegedly sounded just like you two.”

 The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. Alpha John’s face hardened, while Luna Helen’s hand flew to the pearl ne at her throat.

 “Are you using us of something, Alpha Alexander?” Alpha John asked softly. There was something dangerous in that low, gravelly voice.

 “I’m simply stating what was reported to me.”

 “Well, the report is wrong,” Luna Helen snapped, her high voice rising another octave, “We would never betray you like that. Moonshine has been allied with Ashw for generations. Our families have been friends since before you were born. Why would we jeopardize that rtionship over gossip?”

 “And let us not forget,” John added, “that you and our daughter have been friends since childhood. We’ve always supported you.”

 Chapter 26

 Alexander jaw feathered. “I had to ask. Surely you linderstand the position l’in currently in

 John huffed. “Well, we can’t me you, but you know us, Alex. We would never do anything to hurt you, Auhw, or your reputation. 

 *And for goodness‘ sake, I changed your diapers when you were young!” Helen clicked her tongue. “Alex, dear, you mustn’t me us for them, or thete help you find out who leaked that information, but we can assure you, it wasn’t us”

 Alexander dropped his gaze to his hands, which were sped in hisp. I had to admit, it was hard even for me to picture the proper Alpha and Loms of Moonshine sneaking into a tabloid office to spread gossip. They’d always been sticklers for rules and protocol, and their pack was closely allied with 

 Ashw.

 I couldn’t imagine them being the ones to leak the contract. They never liked me very much, but had never done anything outwardly cruel, and erejestet definitely never try to hurt Alexander. He was basically like the son they never had.

 Finally, Alexander nodded. “Very well. Thank you for your honesty.”

 “Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?” John asked.

 Alexander hesitated, then shook his head. “No. You may go.”

 We all stood as they prepared to leave. None of them looked at me as they passed, although I could feel their hatred radiating off of them..

 “Well,” I said once the door closed behind them, “that went about as well as I expected.”

 Alexander shot me a look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

 “Just that Sophia gets away with attempted murder with nothing but a p on the wrist. Again.”

 “She apologized, E. And her parents will punish her.”

 “Oh, well, in that case, all is forgiven,” I said sarcastically. “I’m sure she’s very sorry she failed to kill me. And I’m sure her doting parents will actually punish her and not take her out for ice cream after.”

 Alexander sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, she said it was just supposed to be a prank-”

 “Alexander, you can’t possibly believe it was just a ‘prank‘. She deliberately lured a rogue to a public event because she was jealous. The very same day she pushed me out of a hayloft. What will it take for you to realize-“,

 “Enough,” he cut me off. “It’s been dealt with.”

 I bit my tongue, knowing there was no point in arguing. Clearly, the one time he had taken my side was just a fluke. Alexander would always defend Sophia, no matter what she did. All I could do was hope she didn’t try to hurt me again for the rest of my time here.

 And then, once I was free…

 I inhaled deeply, imagining the scent of the salty ocean and fresh pastries and good wine. Yes, the first ce I would travel to would be the southern coast. I held onto that dream for a moment, letting it calm me.

 Opening my eyes again, I asked, “And are we sure her parents weren’t involved in the contract leak?”

 “They have no reason to do that,” Alexander said firmly. “Our packs are allies. They’ve always supported me. And I’ve looked into it thoroughly. I found no evidence pointing to them; I suspect it was someone unrted. You know how gossip spreads; perhaps one of the staff saw the contract and told someone else.”

 I nodded, knowing he was right about that one thing, at least. Sophia may have been the devil incarnate, but her parents weren’t bad people. They were just wrapped around their spoiled daughter’s little finger. “Well. If that’s all,” I said, turning to leave, “I have things to do.”

 “Actually,” Alexander called after me, “put on something more practical.”

 1stopped, locking back at him in town. “What? WANT

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The Perfect 26