Another Chance for the Luna Queen

Ella POV

"If someone is targeting me to get to you," I said softly, "then could Michael and Diana be in danger too?"

Alexander shrugged half-heartedly. "I don't know," he admitted. "But it's probably best if I let them know the situation-just in case."

"They don't know anything about..." I hesitated, unsure how to phrase my question.

"No, they don't," Alexander said. "You and August are the only ones who really know. Well, the only ones who aren't part of that world yourselves."

"So there are others?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"There are," he confirmed. "But none who would dare expose me because they'd be exposing themselves too." "Like who?" I pressed.

Alexander glanced at me, a faintly amused smile crossing his face. "I don't think I can tell you."

"Really?" I said in surprise. "I guess that makes sense. After all, those aren't really your secrets to share." I looked down at my hands and frowned. I knew that it was childish, but I was so curious about this shadow world that existed alongside

ours.

"All right," he said, chuckling slightly. "If you're going to pout, I'll tell you just one... Slater."

My eyes widened and my mouth dropped open in shock. I never would have guessed that such a famous person would be able to hide a secret like that. Then again, Alexander managed it.

Alexander laughed at my reaction. "Our wedding was hosted by a criminal."

"It's fitting, isn't it?" he teased. "Since you were marrying one."

I couldn't help but laugh. He was right. In a way, it did explain Slater's behavior during the wedding.

He had been so conspiratorial with Alexander, far bolder with him than anyone else dared to be. It made sense now -he knew secrets about Alexander that gave him the confidence to act that way.

The mood in the car felt a little lighter as we pulled into the parking garage of the apartment, but the fear still lingered. Someone was trying to hurt Alexander. Someone neither of us could identify.

We went up to the apartment, and as soon as we were safely inside, Alexander pulled out his phone and made a call.

I sank onto the couch, hugging one of the throw pillows to my chest. I didn't mean

to eavesdrop, but I could hear bits and pieces of the conversation.

And then I realized, with a start-l recognized the voice on the other end of the line.

It was Carlos.

Why on earth would Alexander be calling him in the middle of the night?

After a few minutes, Alexander ended the call and came to sit beside me.

"What was that about?" I asked, leaning against his shoulder.

He slipped an arm around my waist and rested his head on top of mine. "Just checking in on the border," he

explained. "Seeing if there had been any more activity."

"Were you talking to Carlos?" I asked.

"Yes," he said, running his fingers idly along my side, making me shiver. "He's my highest-ranking contact there. He allows me to operate under the radar."

"So that's why he reacted to you that way when we had drinks with him and Fiona," I mused.

Alexander chuckled. "I think he was shocked to see me outside of my scary criminal persona," he joked.

"It is pretty different," I admitted thoughtfully.

My mind drifted back to the image of Alexander in the interrogation room, the quiet power in his voice when he declared that no one would touch me. The memory made me feel safe.

It was comforting to know he was on my side, especially when it felt like the rest of the world was against me. "Does it bother you?" he asked, pulling me from my thoughts. "I know you said you were okay with things, but..." He trailed off, looking suddenly unsure. Seeing him without his usual confidence made my heart ache.

I turned to face him, placing my palm gently against his cheek. "I love you," I said earnestly.

Alexander met my gaze and smiled softly. "I love you too," he whispered.

I kissed him, and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his lap. I had only meant to reassure him, but heat began to build between us as his mouth moved against mine.

After a moment, Alexander pulled back, his hands still firm on my waist. "It's late," he said softly.

I nodded. "It is," I agreed. "We have a lot of work to do tomorrow, don't we?"

"Yes," he confirmed, though the heat in his bright eyes was unmistakable.

"Should we move to the bedroom?" he asked, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I nodded, and Alexander didn't hesitate-he stood in one smooth motion, still holding me. I let out an undignified yelp of surprise, instinctively wrapping my arms and legs around him.noveldrama

Alexander laughed. "Don't worry," he murmured. "I've got you."

Third Person POV

"Arrested?" the blonde woman hissed into the phone, rage bubbling beneath the surface at the news that yet another attempt to get rid of that damned Ella had failed.

She had taken a calculated risk by aligning herself with David, then continuing the arrangement with Amanda. She had been certain that between them, Ella would be eliminated, and she could hide behind their obvious motives.

Everything was falling apart.

"Tell me he wasn't arrested in the capital," she demanded, her grip tightening on the phone.

There was a beat of silence before Amanda finally answered "He was. He was caught just a few blocks from where he made the attempt."

She growled in frustration. "Pathetic."

"You hired him," Amanda snapped back. "You should have chosen someone more capable."

That made the woman laugh bitterly. "You're lucky I found anyone willing to align themselves with you." Her

voice dripped with contempt.

Amanda fell silent.

Her mind raced. If the would-be assassin had been arrested it was only a matter

of time before he talked. And Alexander could be... persuasive.

Her identity was still safe, but Amanda had become too much of a liability.

Something would have to be done.

"I want Ella taken care of," Amanda said, breaking the silence.

Her lips curled into a slow, cold smile as her resolve hardened. She wasn't beaten yet. She just needed to adjust her plans.

"Don't worry about a thing," she purred. “I'll make sure Ella Rowan's last breath is

a painful one. And as for you, dear-" she let the words linger, her meaning unmistakable.

"Right,” Amanda said uncertainly. "Make sure you do. We're running out of time." "I'm well-aware," she replied smoothly before ending the call.

She exhaled, forcing the tension from her body as she pushed away from the dining table and made her way upstairs.

Unbeknownst to her, her son was pressed tightly against the wall near the staircase, his heart pounding. His mind reeled, struggling to make sense of what he had just overheard.

It couldn't be what it sounded like... His own mother, plotting murder?

But in his heart, he already knew the answer.

Losing Ella would devastate Alexander. It would shake his control, leave his

leadership in question.

A sick feeling settled like a stone in Michael's gut as a million things suddenly clicked into place. All of this- every last piece of it—was because of him. Because

of Diana's ruthless desire for power through him.

He had to do something.

But how could he go against his own mother?