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.

was he able to escape, but not

most of the wounds had healed. All except

that he was often able to suppress the pain. It didn’t always bother him. But when the cold set in, or it rained or snowed, the pain would flare up

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

with a new, different angle. Nicholas, a prince, had been sent to war, Weren’t

pulled my gaze away. I couldn’t let on that I knew his injury pained him. Since he hated me now, he’d hate showing me his

want him to hurt himself further by

back to our room,”

I

do take Elve from him, but she buried her nose against his

be the most stubborn

mind to it.

smile at Nicholas. His kindness and generosity were not lost on me. It wouldn’t hurt to make nice with him, for

likes you,” I

patted Elva’s back. The girl had fallen asleep in his arms. He seemed pleased with

said, “She’ll be safe here. I will see

what else to say, other than, “Thank you, Prince Nicholas.” I tried another smile. “I’ll try to teach her how