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.

with the sacrifices of so many others, was he able to escape,

of the wounds had healed. All except

the pain. It didn’t always bother him. But when the

a shifter war. I had nightmares, imagining his fear, the pain he’d felt from his injuries, and the guilt

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

and I pulled my gaze away. I couldn’t let on that I knew his injury pained

him to hurt himself further by trying to

get back to

I

him, but she buried her

probably be best.” Elva could be the most stubborn girl in the kingdom,

mind to it.

our way back to my room, I tried to smile at Nicholas. His kindness and generosity were not lost on me. It wouldn’t hurt to

likes you,”

his arms. He seemed pleased with the words, though he

“She’ll be safe here.

Nicholas.” I tried another smile.