Another Chance for the Luna Queen

Ella POV

I finished my workout, showered, and by the time I left the gym, I felt a little better. I had almost convinced myself that the blonde woman I'd seen wasn't Sabrina. It seemed too far-fetched that she would suddenly show up here, of all places.

As I stepped onto the sidewalk, I glanced at my phone. Two missed calls-one from Alexander and one from Elizabeth. Alexander had also sent a text letting me know he was on his way home. I sent back a heart emoji so he'd know I'd seen it.

But there was nothing from Elizabeth. No text. No voicemail.

I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but every time she called without leaving a message, it usually meant trouble was brewing. Without overthinking it, I tapped on her name and hit call.

I realized I was holding my breath when she answered.

"What is it?" I asked, my concern bleeding into every word

"Calm down," Elizabeth said quickly. "I wasn't calling about anything bad."

"Are you sure?" I asked, feeling a little ridiculous for my overreaction. "You're positive? The sky's not falling? Aliens aren't invading?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Not as far as I know." There was a long pause, then her voice dipped into something guiltier. I'm sorry I couldn't warn you about Amanda ahead of time. I didn't know until it hit the news."

"Your father didn't give you a heads-up?" I asked, surprised.

"No," she sighed. "I wasn't home. I guess that's why."

"Where were you?" I asked casually, waving at James as he approached from the coffee shop across the street. Having a bodyguard shadow me still felt strange, but after the last time I ditched him, I wasn't willing to take any chances.

"I was with Damien," Elizabeth said, and I could hear the giddy smile in her voice. "Ohhh," I teased with a laugh. "That explains why you're in such a good mood." "Actually, that's why I called," she said, barely able to contain her excitement. “I have some big news."

"What is it?" I asked, suddenly curious.

"We're engaged!" she practically shouted into the phone.

I stopped mid-step, staring at the screen in shock. Engaged?

That hadn't happened in the original timeline. My chest tightened with unexpected emotion before I finally managed to say, "I'm so happy for you."

"We're not making it public just yet, but we will soon," Elizabeth said. “Which is why I'm calling. Some friends are going out this weekend to celebrate, so obviously, you have to come."

"This weekend?" I repeated, hesitance creeping into my voice.

A wave of unease washed over me. Elizabeth had no idea about the latest kidnapping-Alexander wanted to handle it himself, which meant we couldn't report

it. Still, the thought of going out without him right now made

me nervous.

(6

But this was my best friend. She was getting married. I couldn't sit this out. I wanted to be there for her.

"Okay," I said, forcing my voice to sound light. "I'm down for whatever."

Luckily, Elizabeth was so excited that she didn't pick up on anything unusual in my tone. She launched into excited chatter about the weekend plans and how thrilled she was about the future.

As I listened, I found myself relaxing. Hearing so much joy in her voice was reassuring. It reminded me that there were still bright days ahead, despite everything.

Lately, it had been hard to believe that things could turn out well. But Elizabeth was right-good things could happen.

I just had to stay strong a little while longer. And if I did, maybe-just maybe- everything would work out in the end.

Alexander POV

"That's definitely Amanda," I said, staring at the security footage.

Sitting in the back of the car beside August, I tilted the screen so he could see. He

leaned in, studying the grainy video over my shoulder, and nodded.

"Undoubtedly. But who's the woman with her?" he asked.

"That's the million-dollar question," I muttered.

Beside Amanda stood a tall, slim woman with dark hood pulled low over her head. She wore sunglasses and a face mask, making it

impossible to distinguish any

identifying features. She wase

careful-not once did she turn toward the cameras.

Frustration twisted in my chest, but I forced it down. I needed to think clearly. Getting angry would only cloud my judgment.

"She must be someone with connections in the rogue lands!" I said.

"There aren't many women with that kind of access-at least not enough to cross the border without issue," August replied. "But it's still too large a group to narrow down without more information."

"They must have some link to Amanda's pack-probably through Archer," I said. "Start asking questions. Find out if anyone had contact with Archer before his arrest. Someone must know something."

"You think this woman helped Amanda plan the kidnapping?" August asked.

I shrugged, replaying the footage and staring at the shadowy figure beside Amanda. "Hard to say. It was reckless-exactly the kind of thing Amanda would insist on. But I doubt she found someone willing to help on just her word. She needed someone to vouch for her. And if she has this kind of helps it means she's not done. She's going to try again. Soon."

August sighed. “Unfortunately, I think you're right. With her face plastered all over

the news and a warrant out for her arrest, she has every reason to rush things. To get sloppy. To get violent."

I nodded grimly. The king had acted recklessly-interfering without fully understanding how the rogue world operated. If only he'd informed me first, I might have been able to talk him out of it.

As things stood, all I could do was minimize the damage and protect Ella.

Pulling out my phone, I sent a quick text to James. His reply came immediately a discreet photo of Ella. She was smiling at her phone, completely unaware of the chaos surrounding her.

Relief washed over me. Just for a fnoment, I allowed myself to bask in it.

"The situation keeps getting more complicated," August muttered, leaning back in

his seat with a frown.

"Any other updates?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Only that Sabrina is definitely in the capital. And she has her child with her. Along with a nanny."

I stiffened. "What the hell could she possibly be doing in the South-let alone the

capital?"

Years ago, when Sabrina left me, she married an alpha from the Northern Kingdom. She had no reason to be here. Unless...

I didn't want to think about it.

It was too coincidental. For her to show up now, out of nowhere? Had someone

put her up to it? Someone who knew my history with Sabrina?

It didn't make sense.

My gaze drifted back to the screen, to the hooded woman beside Amanda.

Zooming in, I tried to sharpen the blurry image. A wisp of light-colored hair had

slipped free from beneath the hood.

Something about her was familiar.

I knew her.

I just couldn't place it.

Frustration mounted as I racked my memory. I had to remember.

Ella's safety could depend on it.noveldrama