The Luna Choosing Game

Our game of tag lasted for another twenty minutes or so before Elva finally tired and wanted to pick flowers instead. Susie sat with her, teaching her how to make a flower crown with her gathered collection. Mark stood nearby, watchful.

Nicholas and I sat in the grass a few yards off. I’d been pleased when he chose to sit beside me. I felt like there was much regarding his conversation with Julian that he had been keeping from me.

He was relaxed, resting back on his elbows with his long legs stretched out in front of him. His typically perfectly styled hair was a bit windswept from running.

He looked perfect and comfortable, and in another life, I would have stretched out alongside him and buried my face into his neck.

Now, I maintained my careful distance.

I teased, “I hope you were too tough on Julian.”

At once, I regretted the words. The softness in Nicholas’s face hardened. He pushed himself into sitting

upright.

“He’s still in one piece, don’t worry,” he said gruffly.

I tried to quickly think of a different topic of conversation. The weather, perhaps? It was pleasant today.

“You must care for Julian deeply,” Nicholas said, causing my thoughts to stutter.

Julian’s lies truly work on Nicholas as

keep the truth from Nicholas. Maybe this lie was an extension of that. I

far. It didn’t seem

trying to reveal just enough

really wasn’t built for the deception Julian wanted.

his grip on his knee had tightened, giving him away.

about this. He’d already told Julian,

acting for all the world like a man who

must have been imagining it. But I still wanted to

serious about Prince Julian,” I admitted. “We’ve had our dates, but

loosened the death grip he had on his knees, and nodded. He didn’t say he was relieved, but I could

I

the way his features

a flower crown. It fell apart almost

encouragement, she began

a sense of peace. I still felt loss from the gain and absence of my wolf, but to

for a fleeting moment, gave me a sense of comfort. I had thought

calling to