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?”

woozy, I pressed my hand to my forehead. “I…I

good enough explanation by far, but in

of your kingdom looks like this. Over the

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

roof over Elva’s

Nicholas repeated like he didn’t quite

I

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

more than I could ever thank her for. I’ll be indebted to her the rest of my

couple of years.”

the steering wheel. “Things have been that

but

others. Though the jobs that

out of business. It’s tough all over. During some of the low points,

sure Elva always got hers.”

looked out the window, at the burned out streetlights and the tired

had their own cars anymore. Walking and buses were the only way to

was if the buses ran on time, or

the palace has felt like a dream. I’ve

arrived,” Nicholas said. He sounded distant, like he

else, and not from the seat

my attention to him.

was a hard line.

“I have let my people suffer