The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 376

**The Perfect 376**

The air crackled with a palpable tension, thick with the weight of unspoken questions and anxious anticipation as a sea of journalists converged in a chaotic yet purposeful gathering. The atmosphere was electric, each reporter jostling for position, their voices rising in a cacophony of inquiries, punctuated by the incessant clicking of cameras. It was a scene that could easily engulf anyone with its intensity. At my side, Anya stood, her expression a mix of concern and determination, her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, reminiscent of a shy Luma-to-be. She was a picture of grace under pressure, yet I could sense her apprehension, mirroring the emotional gravity of the moment. Meanwhile, Hunter, her future husband, stood resolutely at the forefront, ready to face the crowd with a bravery that belied the turmoil brewing within him.

“First question,” Maria, the press liaison, announced, her finger slicing through the air as she pointed decisively to a journalist who had managed to secure a spot near the front. This reporter, a young woman with sleek black hair pulled back into a neat bun, wore a sharp navy blue suit that radiated professionalism and purpose.

“Alpha King,” she began, her voice cutting through the noise with an authority that demanded attention. “Is it true that you coughed up blood while in the hospital waiting room last night?”

The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. “Yes,” I replied, the weight of my admission pressing down on my chest. “I am currently battling an infection in my lungs—specifically, the early stages of tuberculosis. However, I assure you that my doctors are working tirelessly to secure my long-term health.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd, a blend of concern and curiosity that only heightened the tension. Another journalist, eager to delve deeper, chimed in, “Was that the reason for your visit to the hospital?”

“No,” I clarified, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “I was there to see my good friend, Alpha Liam, who—as many of you are aware—is currently in a coma.”

The barrage of questions continued, each inquiry probing deeper into my condition, my treatment, and the future of my office. I responded to each with as much honesty and warmth as I could muster, even as my heart raced beneath the surface, echoing the chaos around us.

“I want to reassure all of you that I will be just fine,” I said, forcing a smile that I hoped would convey a sense of confidence to the assembled crowd. “My doctors are among the best in the territories. Aside from last night’s minor coughing episode—triggered by my forgetting to take my medication while visiting Liam—my symptoms are under control.”

That statement was… technically accurate. If I adhered to the prescribed medication, I could manage my cough and generally feel well enough, albeit a bit weaker than my usual self.

But what they didn’t know—and what I couldn’t reveal—was the ominous truth lurking beneath the surface: my symptoms were destined to worsen, regardless of the medicine, all due to the curse that loomed over me like a dark specter.

At that moment, a journalist positioned at the back of the room raised his hand, desperation in his eyes. Maria acknowledged him, and he asked, “Alpha King, are you aware that Brian Eden, the future Alpha of Stormhollow, is about to come of age?”

A frown creased my brow, confusion clouding my thoughts.

“What does that have to do with—”

“Can’t you see?” another journalist interjected, his tone urgent and sharp. “Brian has declared his intention to run for Alpha King as soon as he takes over Stormhollow!”

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