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.

so many others, was he able to escape,

time, most of the wounds had healed. All except

to me 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

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

different angle. Nicholas, a prince, had

let on that I

hurt himself further

to

I

him, but she buried her nose against his

be the most stubborn girl in the kingdom, when she

mind to it.

I tried to smile at Nicholas. His kindness and generosity were not lost

you,” I

Elva’s back. The girl had fallen asleep in his arms. He seemed pleased with the words, though he didn’t offer any type of

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

“Thank you, Prince Nicholas.” I tried