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?”

my hand to my forehead. “I…I have

by far, but in the moment,

much of your kingdom looks like this. Over

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

over Elva’s head.”

repeated like he didn’t quite

I

be much worse off if I didn’t find such a good

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

couple of years.”

on the steering wheel. “Things have been that dire.” It wasn’t a

the way he said it, but I still treated it

points have definitely been better than others. Though the jobs

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

to make sure Elva

at the burned out streetlights and the tired people trekking

and buses were the only way to get

the buses ran on time, or showed

has felt like a dream. I’ve never eaten

said. He

not from the

turned my attention

was a

“I have let my people suffer for too long.”