The Luna Choosing Game

Holding Elva, Nicholas winced as he bent his right wrist. He had tried to hide it, and maybe would have been successful if I had been anyone other than his ex–girlfriend.

He’d told me the story himself, when we had been dating.

Nicholas had excelled for his age. His werewolf abilities were some of the strongest in the entire

kingdom, even when he’d been a child.

Because of this, when a war had broken out in the north between the Werewolf Kingdom and the Bear

People, Nicholas had been sent to the front lines. He’d only been 11 at the time.

Though his talent was immense, he lacked the years of training that other soldiers had.

He fought hard and well. He felled many foes. But his inexperience too often led him into situations he

might have otherwise known to avoid.

Once, he followed an enemy deep behind their lines, and straight into a trap.

others, was he able to escape, but

the wounds had healed. All except for

the pain. It didn’t always bother him.

I had laid awake after hearing his story, imagining an 11 year old version of the boy I loved fighting in a shifter war. I had nightmares, imagining his fear, the pain he’d felt from his injuries, and the guilt he’d suffered every day, knowing others had died to save

with a new, different angle. Nicholas, a prince, had been sent

let on that I knew his injury pained

to hurt himself

to our room,”

I

from him, but she buried her nose against

could be the most stubborn girl in the kingdom, when she

mind to it.

smile at Nicholas. His kindness

likes you,” I

fallen asleep in his arms. He

long moment, he said, “She’ll be safe here. I will see to it

other than, “Thank you, Prince Nicholas.” I tried another smile. “I’ll try