The Luna Choosing Game

The Luna audibly gasped. Some of the girls around me started screaming. Guards quickly moved in to usher them from the room. I was urged forward.

“End the program,” the King shouted. “Now.”

The cameras immediately shut off.

Before I could reach the staircase and earn my favor from the prince of my choice, my path was blocked

with a very angry King and Queen,

“Nicholas!” the King shouted.

“What have you done?” the Luna cried.

Nicholas quickly came down the staircase to join me at my side. I stared at him, bewildered.

“You heard the public,” he said. “This is what they wanted, even if you were too bullheaded to see it.”

“Careful,” the King said.

“Piper won the people’s favor. More, she won the game by the rules we’d assigned.”

“I can do one better than that, even,” Julian said, jumping down from the stage. He carried

my broken

bow in his hands. Where had he gotten it? Had his Beta kept it hidden for him?

He threw it down into the space between the King and Queen, and me and Nicholas.

“She excelled even when our own staff tried to have her killed,” Julian said.

“Our staff?” the Luna gasped.

“Who?” the King demanded.

Julian and Nicholas both shifted their gazes to where Lena was tucked in the Queen’s shadow.

Her face went pale.

Julian smirked, “Anything to say, Lena?”

She seemed set, like she had no intention of moving. The Queen herself motioned her forward.

“Is this true?” The Luna motioned to the broken bow. “Is this your doing?”

not answer. It seemed even she couldn’t

asks for your forgiveness,” she said. “I only ever wished to

the royal throne.”

“Piper could have died had her

wished to keep her from finishing the contest. I had no reason to believe that

is exactly what

Lena bowed.

King and Queen looked at each other. Neither seemed

had happened

evening of supposed celebration,” the King said. “We will handle

will be reprimanded?”

the King said. All eyes looked to

see yourself out and send in your successor. I will

of

to obey the Luna’s command, scrambling

his forehead. “What an absolute mess.”

hurried closer. “Great

selection. They applaud you for making the choosing of Piper so

that’s fine.” The King pushed him away.

to move into the second area now, Your Majesty, if you’d

I whispered to

those that remain,” Nicholas replied, voice just as soft. “You’ll get more camers time and

at the moment,

to send me

what i was doing here, Nicholas should have sent me home, Hedert

of the 15 remaining girls, with Nicholas himself having stuck his neck out to save me. I didn’t begin to know how to thank him, or why he’d done

think maybe I should duck out for the night,” I said. If I was there, I would certainly bring down the

party.

his

me to stay?

I found that now, just like three

simple request.

I said.

and I were separated as we were led into the ballroom. The servants directed me to join the line of remaining girls. The cameramen were setting up to record a long shot, moving one by one through the fifteen, until

a group while hors d’oeuvres were served, as

In the other corner, a water station was prepared beside

Nicholas tried to come over to speak with me, twice he

escorted

has had his time

forcefully on the

King. The