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.

insist he sit down. He’d already asked his fair share of

faith in us and the strength of this kingdom. Change is not a death of tradition, merely

leaned back, finished with

sounded. Many of the reporters

awe. He’d clearly had his reservations about me, but

I realized. Raised to be the mouthpiece for the

Raised to be King.

the questions were simpler, asked to gain soundbites from the

most

No one mentioned me.

the political strength of the different

choices at all?*

“The merits of each candidate

but “the reporter tried to say. The

much of the selection process will be broadcasted live,

strengths and failings of each individual girl. The princes will

make the correct choices.”

reporter silenced, he

conference ended

family returned inside first, with the

my room, one of my maids greeted me

watched the event on television,” she said. “It’s