The Luna Choosing Game

His mouth near the microphone, Nicholas paused a moment as if thinking. Then he spoke.

“Miss Piper was chosen by the ceremony, and the royal family will honor that choice.”

He continued, “One of the many crises we face as a people is a low birthrate among werewolves. Any mother, especially one raising a child on her own, is to be commended.”

He paused, again gathering his thoughts. The way he spoke was purposeful and careful, each word carefully considered.

“Piper represents the cultural progression of our kingdom. We, collectively, have moved beyond the era of allowing only young maidens to be Luna. Now, any woman can have her chance.”

A few claps sounded in the audience, before the reporter spoke up again. “In addition to being a single

mother, isn’t Piper also a non–werewolf?”

“Neither non–werewolves nor single mothers will face discrimination by this royal family,” Nicholas said,

faster to respond than he had been before.

My heart pounded. That sounded like a defense of me. I forced that feeling down. No, he was defending.

his family from potential ridicule, not me.

asked Some of the others began to insist he sit down. He’d already asked his fair share of

gaze. “I would ask those dissenters to continue to place their faith in us and the strength of

leaned back, finished with

sounded. Many of

him in awe. He’d clearly had his reservations

I realized. Raised to

Raised to be King.

reporter finally sat down, and another was selected. The rest of the questions were simpler, asked to gain soundbites

did most of the

No one mentioned me.

reporter asked, “Will the political strength of the

choices at all?*

King stepped in. “The merits of each candidate will

“the reporter tried to say. The King quickly cut

much of the selection process will be

each individual girl. The

make the correct choices.”

silenced, he sat

press conference ended shortly

family returned inside first, with the candidates

my room, one of my maids greeted me

the event on television,” she said.