Another Chance for the Luna Queen

apter 0352

"Alexander,” Ella interrupted, her voice suddenly sharp, "You know him."

I froze, her grip on my arm anchoring me in place. The room seemed to close in as my mind raced.

"Yes," I said quietly, meeting her gaze. "I know him."

Ella POV

My mind was spinning, almost dizzy with the overwhelming thoughts. I resisted when Alexander insisted I go up to the apartment and try to settle myself, but he was right. Eventually, I allowed August to escort me upstairs.

I could tell that August was just as off-balance as I was. I'd never seen so much anger from him- he was practically vibrating with it as we entered the elevator.

"What's really going on here?" I asked as the doors closed. Alexander's trying to protect me from something. How does he know Ironfang?"

"They used to work together," August said. I was surprised by his willingness to answer. "When Alexander first got involved in that world, Ironfang was assigned to guide and teach him by the Northern King. Alexander's hatred of him had been instant. I could tell there was more to it, something familial, but Alexander refused to consider any of them his people."

"I know," I said softly, the weight of it sinking in. "He rejects them."

"As much as he can safely do so," August added. "He's not powerful enough to completely resist the Northern King. No one is."

I nodded, feeling numb, heavy with the weight of that reality. The thought of Ironfang looming over everything made my chest tight.

"So there's really nothing we can do about this?" I asked, the hopelessness in my voice. "Elizabeth was right. We're powerless."

"I wouldn't go that far," August said. "But we need to give Alexander time to think this through. If anyone can stand against Ironfang, it's him."

I felt comforted by August's words, and even more so by the fact that he trusted me enough to speak them openly.

We stepped out of the elevator and froze.

There was someone standing at the apartment door.

We couldn't see her face, but I recognized her instantly.

"What the hell is Diana doing here?" I whispered.

August shook his head. "Try to stall her here," he whispered back. "I'll go get Alexander.'

"Okay,” I agreed, and August quietly stepped back into the elevator.

"Hello," I called in greeting. "Can I help you?"

I saw the flicker of irritation cross Diana's face before she replaced it with a practiced smile. "Oh, Ella," she said, her tone falsely warm. "I was hoping you'd be out. I need to have a private talk with Alexander. You wouldn't happen to know where he is?"

"Well, it is the middle of a workday," I replied coolly. "So d assume he's working. Surely the secretary informed you of that when you checked in downstairs?"

"Checked in?" She chuckled lightly. "To visit my own son? No."

"You could have called ahead," I offered, trying to keep the situation calm.

"I happened to be in town," she said with a shrug. "So I thought I'd surprise him.

But since I have you alone for a moment, I think there's something you and I should discuss. Why don't you open the door? We can talk in private."

"This is a private floor," I replied, standing my ground. "No one's going to overhear."

"Have it your way," she said icily.

Diana stepped towards me, invading my personal space. Her eyes locked on mine. "It's time you know the truth about Alexander," she said. "I should have told you before the wedding."

"I know the truth about Alexander," I replied, my voice steady. I didn't back away from her, though every fiber of my being screamed to.noveldrama

"You think you do," she said, her smile thin and mocking. But do you really know it all?"

"Enlighten me,” I said, my voice cutting, the challenge clear.

I was confident that I knew everything there was to know about Alexander. But as her words hung in the air, anxiety crept up in me. Was there something more she had kept hidden? Even from him?

Or was this just another attempt to drive a wedge between us?

"Well?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "What is it you have to tell me?"