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

had healed. All except for his

able to suppress the pain. It didn’t always bother him. But when the cold set in, or it rained or snowed,

of the boy I loved fighting in a shifter war. I had nightmares, imagining his fear, the pain he’d

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

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

to hurt himself further by trying

back to our

I

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

the most stubborn girl in the kingdom, when

mind to it.

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

likes you,”

asleep in his arms. He seemed pleased with the words, though he didn’t offer

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

“Thank you, Prince Nicholas.” I tried another smile. “I’ll try to teach her how