Another Chance for the Luna Queen

Alexander POV

Ella'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 only showing mercy but doing it in a way that didn't tip her hand. She hadn't made herself seem weak or easily manipulated.

Still, it felt like a change that came out of nowhere.

I didn't have a chance to ask her about it now. There was too much risk of being overheard.

After a few minutes, the King returned to the upper level, his expression slightly disturbed. He shook his head." How does a person lose touch with reality to that degree?"

Ella glanced toward the door where Amanda's screams still echoed. "She's been through a lot," she said quietly.

I scoffed. "She brought it on herself."

Ella sighed. "That's true... but still, if David hadn't put her through so much, I don't think she'd be this way."

Then she turned to the King, her expression serious. "Have you had a doctor examine her?"

The King frowned. "No."

"Please do so right away," Ella insisted. "I've known Amanda my entire life. I know her scent... something is off."

The King and I both stared at her in surprise.

"What do you mean 'off'?" I asked.

Ella hesitated, then exhaled softly. "I think she may be pregnant."

The King cursed under his breath. He straightened, rubbing his temples. “I'm afraid this meeting will have to be postponed," he said apologetically. "I have to deal with all of this."

Ella nodded. "We understand. We'll return when things are less chaotic."

"Of course," the King replied. "I only have one request.'

I tensed, already irritated. The King had complicated things more than necessary, acting without consulting us. The fact that he would now ask us for a favor only made it worse.

"What's that?" I asked, keeping my tone even.

He exhaled. "Don't speak to the press about this. They'll have questions for you both-about David, about Amanda-but until we've had a chance to talk, I'd rather there be no interviews."

I raised an eyebrow. "No more press conferences, then?"

Ella looked at me curiously, but I held the King's gaze.

He nodded. "Correct. No more press conferences for the time being."

I gave a short nod. "Agreed." Then I looped my arm around Ella and turned us toward the exit.

The guards allowed us out, and I walked her to the car then opened the door for her.

Ella got in and as I closed the door I saw her staring past me at the house. There was a haunted look on her face, as

if what had happened in there impacted her more than she wanted to let on.

Once we were both inside, I pulled away from the King's home and exhaled heavily, sinking into my seat.

I glanced at Ella. She had her face in her hands, and for a moment, I worried she was crying.noveldrama

But when she lowered them, she wasn't crying.

She just looked exhausted.

"What really happened in there?" I asked.

Ella sighed heavily and looked at me, her expression unreadable.

"Like I said," she replied. "I had the opportunity to hurt her, to get my revenge... and I just felt bad. I didn't expect it. I still hate her, but would I be any better than her if I made sure she was condemned? If I did everything I could to ensure her execution?"

"You'll always be better than her," I answered tightly.

To my surprise, she smiled and reached over, taking my hand. "Besides," she said, "I think this will work out in our favor in the end."

"How so?" I asked curiously.

"Amanda does know a few things that could be bad for us if they went public. But if I can muddy the waters, make it so that-"

"So that her word can't be trusted at all," I finished as realization dawned. A slow smile spread across my face. "No one will believe a word she says because half of it sounds like insane ramblings."

"Exactly," Ella confirmed. "Even if she's telling the complete truth, she can't hurt us. Her support will wane, and even those who might have fought for her will turn away to protect their own reputations."

I shook my head in admiration. "You can be devious when you want to be."

"When I have to be," she corrected with a small smirk.

Still, something weighed on her, and I could see it in her posture. "You don't seem very relieved to have this behind us," I said, concern seeping into my tone.

She exhaled, sinking lower into the seat. "This is only one of many problems. I'm glad it's resolved, but there's still plenty to worry about."

"You really can't take a moment to feel relieved?"

"Probably," she admitted. "But every time I allow myself to something else goes wrong. I don't think we can afford to get too comfortable-not for a long time."

Her words twisted something deep in my chest. She was right, but I wanted nothing more than to just be with Ella, without the weight of our pasts pressing down on us.

Yet, our problems weren't waiting for us to catch our breath.

Rumors had already started spreading about me and Sabrina. The election was heating up. If I didn't address the speculation soon, it could spiral out of control. But how could I fight the rumors if I didn't even know the truth?

I had to find out if Sabrina's child was truly mine.

The thought unsettled ine in ways I couldn't quite name. If had a daughter-if I had always had a daughter and never known-then every experience over the past five years was suddenly painted in a different light.

Time I could have spent with her.

Time she had spent without her real father.

Maybe it was my own experience, growing up without my real parents, that made this hit so hard. I remembered what it was like, feeling different, feeling like I didn't quite belong. Had she ever wondered about me? Suspected the truth? Did she feel alone? Was she scared?

I wouldn't wish that feeling on any child.

But why would Sabrina keep something like this from me?

It didn't make sense. There had to be more to the story. And yet, there was no

way for me to find out without going directly to her.

I wasn't ready for that.

My emotions were too tangled, my thoughts too chaotic where she was

concerned. I didn't trust myself to face her and not let everything I'd buried rise to

the surface.

And I was afraid to tell Ella.

Not because I still had feelings for Sabrina-I didn't. But I remembered how upset Ella had been over Fiona. How jealous, how hurt.

Our relationship was still finding its footing, and the last thing I wanted was to shake it.

Not now.

Not when I was finally beginning to believe that we could have a future.

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