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 not

the wounds had healed.

It didn’t always bother him. But when the cold set in,

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

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

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

to hurt himself further by

back to our

I

from him, but she

most stubborn girl in the

mind to it.

His kindness and generosity were not lost on me. It wouldn’t hurt

you,” I

back. The girl had fallen asleep in his arms. He seemed pleased with the words, though

long moment, he said, “She’ll be safe here. I

Nicholas.” I tried