The Luna Choosing Game

Tonight at the Second Ball felt like a night where anything could happen.

As Nicholas pulled back from our kiss, I immediately wanted him to return for another. I had butterflies in my stomach, remembering the way he said my name.

He said it again now.

“Piper.

“How did you know it was me?” I asked.

“I told you I would.” He lowered both hands down to my waist and squeezed me tighter to him. “I would

know you anywhere.”

He leaned in again. I wanted him to kiss me so badly.

But then I felt a familiar pull, almost as if someone or something was tugging me at the heartstrings. I

knew that feeling.

It was my wolf.

But how could it be here? Now? I hadn’t gone anywhere. Had the mysterious person from the car outside

of Terry’s mansion come to the Second Ball? Why?

L

“I’m sorry, I…” I stepped back from Nicholas, out of his hold.

His eyes behind his mask hardened at once. His smile slipped away. “Piper? What’s wrong?”

I pressed my hand to

enough explanation by far, but in the moment,

kingdom looks like this. Over the past

downturn that many people are homeless. I’ve had to work two or three jobs

roof over

Nicholas repeated like

I

worse off if I didn’t find such a good person to

ever thank her for. I’ll be indebted to her the rest of my life already, for

couple of years.”

on the steering wheel. “Things have

way he said it, but I still treated it

points have definitely been better than others. Though the jobs that usually paid

before they went out of business. It’s tough all over.

Elva always got

burned out streetlights and the

own cars anymore. Walking and buses were the only way to get anywhere.

if the buses ran on time, or showed up

has felt like a dream. I’ve never

arrived,” Nicholas said. He sounded distant, like he was talking to

from the

turned my attention to him.

a

let my people suffer for