Another Chance for the Luna Queen novel

Chapter 0172 Chapter 0172 Alexander POV Ella lay quiet and still beside me , her breathing steady but her body tense .

Despite her insistence that this arrangement was fine , I knew she was uncomfortable .

I couldnt blame her this situation was awkward , to say the least .

As I lay there , the memory of that night crept into my mind unbidden and unwelcome .

The night David had poisoned her .

I clenched my jaw , pushing the thought away but it lingered , as it always did .

That night had been a mistake .

Not because of my being there for her , but the way I handled it after .

E I should have known better than to let things escalate the way they had .

Ella had insisted she wanted me to stay , and Id been unable to resist .

Something about her vulnerability , her raw honesty , had shattered my resolve .

Walking away from her then had been impossible , and now regretted it not because of the moment itself , but because I couldnt stop thinking about it .

I couldnt stop imagining what it would be like to be with her again .

This time , without desperation , without the weight of danger hanging over us .

My attraction to Ella wasnt something I could ignore or push aside it was persistent , undeniable , and , at times , maddening .

I lay still in the dark , watching her back as she lay on her side .

Her breathing had softened , a sign that she might finally be asleep .

I waited , unwilling to disturb her .

This arrangement was never going to work for me , not because I didnt trust myself , but because I couldnt sleep beside anyone .

Not anymore .

Not since … I pushed that thought away too , focusing on the present .

After several minutes , I whispered her name into the darkness .

Ella .

No response .

She didnt stir , didnt make a sound .

Satisfied that she was asleep , I carefully slipped out from under the blankets , moving as quietly as I could .

I crossed the room with measured steps , avoiding the furniture in the dim light .

Reaching the recliner , I grabbed the quilt draped over the back and settled into the chair .

It wasnt comfortable , but comfort wasnt the point .

I wasnt expecting to sleep much tonight anyway .

I pulled the quilt over me , closed my eyes , and tried to relax .

Morning would come soon enough , and I needed to rest , even if only for a few hours .

Ella POV Having Alexander beside me felt far more comfortable and peaceful than I had imagined .

The steady warmth of him behind me was soothing , but it also left me hyper aware of his presence .

My heart seemed to beat louder in the quiet of the room , and no matter how I tried , sleep eluded me .

I closed my eyes and focused on steadying my breathing , hoping to lull myself into rest .

Even if I didnt fall asleep right away , at least calming my body might help me feel less restless .

I was hovering on the edge of consciousness , my mind finally beginning to quiet , when Alexander softly said my name .

My heart jumped at the sound , and I immediately wondered what he could possibly want at this time of night .

I hesitated , unsure if I should respond or pretend I hadnt heard him .

My indecision stretched too long , apparently , because Alexander shifted quietly , slipping out of the bed .

I listened , expecting to hear him head toward the bathroom , but instead , I heard the creak of the chair across the room as he sat down .

7/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0172 Confusion swirled through me , followed quickly by a pang of hurt I hadnt expected .

Why would he choose not to sleep beside me ? It was silly to feel this way I scolded myself silently for reading too much into his actions .

There could be a dozen practical reasons for him moving to the chair .

But logic didnt erase the sting .

I lay there , eyes open in the dark , my breathing steady but my thoughts anything but .

I told myself it didnt matter , that this arrangement was only temporary and it didnt mean anything , but I couldnt stop listening .