The Luna Choosing Game

During the banquet, Julian leaned over to me and said, “I have a lead. Be ready tomorrow morning.”

I tried to pry for more information for the rest of the night, but he just smiled vaguely at me or said, “You

will have to wait patiently.”

By the end of the evening, I was ready to shake him until the answers fell out.

“Walk me to my room,” I insisted, but even then, even when we were alone, he was tight–lipped.

Outside my door, he squeezed my hand and told me, “See you bright and early, Piper.”

Infuriating man.

the man

Even so, true to his word, Julian arrived at 8 o’clock next Fortunately, I was already awake, with the nanny arriving just a few minutes before.

Mark glanced between us. “Prince Julian. I didn’t realize you and Piper had a date planned for today.”

Julian winked at him. “Piper loves my spontaneity.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s just go, please.”

Julian lifted his arm, and I hooked mine with his. He led me down the hallway to the stairwell. When we were far enough away from Mark, I hissed at Julian.

“Now can you tell me what the lead is?”

“They’re not a what. They are a who.”

My heart jumped into my throat. He couldn’t mean the woman in black? No, no that wouldn’t make sense, despite how much I wished it to be so. Plus, I didn’t feel the presence of my wolf anywhere. If that woman was here, I’d be able to feel her.

“Then, who is the lead?” I was tired of speculating. Julian enjoyed his games, but I was at wit’s end.

through the mansion and out the back door where a pair of

right. The man, Williams, stood straighter, having been named. “With me.”

guards looked at each other a moment. Then they nodded, and Williams stepped forward.

gardens, with Williams following behind. When we were out of earshot of anyone else, Julian

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Williams said

I’ve been told you were working the night of the Ball, and you remember allowing an

sir.” Williams glanced at me and then quickly away.

think this woman

With everyone in costume, she looked similar…” He cleared his throat. “But then when I tried to greet her, she did not treat me

she treat you?” Julian

I asked was how she was enjoying her evening Williams gave me a small smile. “Miss Piper usually is very kind.”

smile, even as my heart ached. This lead of Julian’s didn’t seem to be panning out. I had a very average appearance – average height, average appearance. For her to look like me wasn’t unusual.

up. Piper. This is all good information,” Julian said.

have a common face,” I said, revealing only part

Williams, he said, “Thank you, you may

Thank you,

you for your help,”

me,

I looked to Julian. “This

Williams to mistake someone else for you. means that she did not look like

how that helps us,”

tapped a finger to his chin.

in a sitting room off the parlor, a printed out guest list split between us. I held some pages, Julian held the rest. I didn’t really know what I was looking for, but

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know everyone on this list, and none of them could

have been a guest with

must be declared beforehand for security reasons. I suppose Terry could have sneaked

the room. She came straight over to me, arms outstretched. I placed my papers aside to pull

approached us. “The servants saw you enter here. I hope we aren’t

in my arms, I was able to keep most of my disappointment at