The Luna Choosing Game

I pushed the horse as fast as she could go. My wolf was here, I could feel it.

But then, suddenly, it felt further away. It was leaving me!

In the driveway beyond the house, a car started to drive away. I pulled at the reins, guiding the horse in

that direction.

Faster, faster. We were going to lose it!

The horse huffed with each heavy exhale. Its hooves clattered against the concrete driveway. We followed the car as it pulled out onto the road, slipping straight through the rod–iron gate that had opened

for the car.1

Julian was right behind me. He’d stopped calling for me and instead now followed my lead.

We chased that car. The windows were tinted, I couldn’t see inside. But I knew my wolf was there. It was

so close, I could have cried.

But then the road reached a straight stretch, and the car accelerated to a faster speed than my horse

had any chance of matching.

The distance expanded, adding yard after yard, until the car was on the horizon line, and my horse was

slowing from exhaustion.

I watched the car go, even long after it was out of sight. Inside my chest, the tether between me and my

wolf stretched and stretched, until it finally snapped and was gone.

Julian dismounted quickly beside me. “We have to get off the road.”

As I stood there in shock, he grabbed the reins of my horse as well as his own, and led both away from

the road and into the forest brush alongside it.

I was numb. I couldn’t move.

For one brief moment, I had felt my wolf again. Now, as before, I was empty.

Julian, a man determined, carefully guided our horses deeper into the woods. He didn’t say a word the

entire time

He could have been mad at me, I wasn’t sure. Whenever I had seen Julian mad in the past, typically at

Nicholas, he had lashed out with a sharp smirk and barbed insults. This silence was something new.

In the depths of the forest, we reached a small grassy patch. Julian stopped, and the horses began to

“Can you get down?” Julian asked me. “We need to let the horses rest for a few moments. We pushed them pretty hard.”

I understood and slowly dismounted the mare.

much like Nicholas in that moment; it was clear they were brothers, even if their personalities were

your wolf,” he said. “In

I shouldn’t have

that way. I could only imagine what it must have felt

be

even if I tried. Instead, I hooked my fingers

carved

again. Julian fiddled with his phone, but he seemed frustrated

signal out here.”

we lost?”

so secret if I can’t coordinate with Brian. We’re way off the prepared route, and I don’t dare go back that way. Those at the mansion

hadn’t meant to cause trouble. I just… I felt

down his face and then

settle for Plan B.”

“What’s plan B?”

He winked.

“Julian.”

“Trust me, Piper.”

always watchful, always scheming. And he was a

through and through.

trust Nicholas,”

his

crossed my arms, unwilling to admit how this banter helped

my trust yet.”

nice to see him back to his usual self. “I’m likely the

Chapter 0105

until the horses were rested, then we

asking, hoping he might surprise me with an actual response

have established great trust between

I sighed.

only not telling

further before

like these, I wished I had my phone, or any access to the internet, so I could just look it up. As it was, I was

neared the palace, Julian

to text

sneaky. His phone service returned

toward the paddock, a camera crew rushed toward us as if they had been waiting for our return. Cameras pushed straight into our faces. The producers

questions.

Tell us about your secret rendezvous!”

it worth the risk, breaking the rules to see the prince?”

you’ve done is fair to the other –”

now, guys. This

Piper is my

the cameras and questions, and

absurd

wide, cocksure grin that seemed to say, Play along.

Are

a good liar. “…

sugar plum. Julian nuzzled against my cheek. It took