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?”

answer. It seemed even she couldn’t lie to her queen.

said. “I only ever wished to preserve the sanctity

the royal throne.”

could have died had her wolf not stepped

intend her physical harm. I only wished to keep her from finishing the contest. I had no reason to believe

that is exactly what happened,”

Lena bowed.

Neither seemed pleased by this revelation, or truly by anything

happened tonight.

celebration,” the King said. “We will handle this matter privately later.”

she will be reprimanded?” Nicholas pressed.

the King said. All eyes looked to the

and send in your successor. I will not see

rest of this evening.”

to obey the Luna’s

rubbed his forehead. “What an

called the publicist as he hurried closer. “Great news! The public has now approved

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

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

filled the new open space. “We need to move into the second area now, Your Majesty, if

I whispered to Nicholas.

a small party for those that remain,” Nicholas replied, voice just as soft. “You’ll get more camers

moment, knowing

send me

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

girls, with Nicholas himself having stuck his neck out to save me. I didn’t

I said. If I was there, I would certainly

party.

his

wanted me to stay?

just like three years ago, I

simple request.

I

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,

while hors d’oeuvres were served, as the King’s servants pulled each girl one by one for her personal meeting.

of the room, an orchestra was setting up. In the other corner, a water station

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

escorted

will be available to talk after the King has had

on

my turn to face the King. The servants guided me to a familiar sitting room