Ella POVWhen Alexander and I entered the lobby on our way to the parking garage, August was already waiting for us, his expression tight with concern.“Diana just stormed out,” he informed us.“Follow her,” Alexander instructed without hesitation. “Keep your distance, make sure she doesn’t see you—
Alexander masked his irritation well, but I could tell he was growing weary of the King’s manic energy. Still, he didn’t protest. Instead, he placed a steadying hand on my lower back as we followed the King to the door.The King poked his head out, calling to the guards. “Escort Luna Black to the pr
Ella POV"Everything happened so differently the first time around," I said, my voice quieter now, almost reflective.Amanda’s glare didn’t waver, but I could see the flicker of confusion in her eyes."David and I were married. The ceremony was beautiful, and I couldn’t have been happier. I got a li
Amanda swallowed hard. "So you went to him." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "To Alexander."I nodded. "He had the resources, the knowledge, and the power to help me. First, he helped me break off my engagement with David. Then, we faked a relationship for the good press."Amanda’s expression
Alexander POVElla’s handling of Amanda completely caught me off guard, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. How could she have any pity for the woman who had put her through so much? It eluded me.At the same time, it showed a level of control and cleverness that was undeniable. A true Luna—not o
Ella POVBy the time we got to the apartment, I was conflicted. I felt like I had made some kind of mistake in the way I handled Amanda, but it was too late to take it back.Whatever happened next was out of my hands.It wasn’t as though Alexander and I had a chance to plan how to handle it. The kin
Yet, he didn’t seem to feel that way. Instead of anger, he pitied her.There had to be something I didn’t understand, but it was too sensitive a topic to push with him right now.Sinking onto the couch, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Elizabeth to check in.A second later, she called.
Alexander POVGuilt gnawed at me all morning as I waited for Sabrina to arrive. It settled in my stomach like a weight, a constant reminder that I was keeping something from Ella.I’d tried—tried to find the right moment, tried to work up the nerve to tell her—but every time I opened my mouth, the w
Ella POVThe night we had been working towards for so long was finally here. It didn’t seem real, but it was finally happening.It was election night.All day Alexander and I had been answering questions from reporters and making phonecalls to voters, hoping to get as many people as possible to show
He glanced at me, a knowing look passing between us. We would face whatever came next together.After dinner, Sabrina and Alexander took Lexie up to get ready for bed. She wanted a bedtime story from Alexander and he seemed happy to do it.Once we were alone in the living room, my mother pulled me t
Ella POVAlexander and I spent the day in my family’s packlands with Lexie, a rare moment of peace before the election.The official statement revealing Lexie’s identity had been carefully crafted—Alexander had asked for privacy for her sake.The response had been mixed, but most people saw it as a
“It does,” Elizabeth said. “But people also fear what they don’t understand. Alexander has spent years in the shadows. Half of what he’s done is still a secret. People don’t know that he’s…” she hesitated, looking away for a moment. “Now, they’re being asked to trust him with the kingdom.” She sighe
Ella POVI sat across from Elizabeth at a quiet restaurant, a half-empty glass of wine in front of me. The air between us was lighter than it had been in months, but there was still an unspoken tension—a lingering wound that was still healing.Elizabeth had taken the revelations about Alexander, Dav
Ella POVThe news of Ironfang’s arrest tore through the kingdom like wildfire. Fear gripped the people as they learned the horrifying truth—powerful figures within their own government had been working with the North.For years, the enemy had been closer than anyone had realized, pulling strings in
Alexander POVI stood before the King, my body still weak from the poison, but my mind sharp and steady. Ella stood at my side, her presence grounding me, a silent promise that we would face whatever came next together.I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, the quiet strength she offered just b
Ella POVIt took several days before Alexander could stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time.Those days felt like an eternity to me, sitting at his bedside, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest, hoping for any sign of improvement. The doctors assured me that the worst had passed, b
The King’s orders were not something you ignored. And though I had no desire to leave Alexander’s side, I couldn’t risk further angering the King—especially when I had no idea what he would do with the information I had.Still, my resolve weakened as she glanced at Alexander one last time. “He’ll be