The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0400

The next morning, Nicholas and I had previously arranged to spend time training together. So at first light, I headed to the gym.

I wasn’t sure he would remember. Maybe he made other plans and forgot to tell me about it. He had been so busy with Bridget lately, I had rarely even seen him, let alone spoken two words to him.

I had a sinking feeling in my chest, telling me I’d find the gym empty. Maybe the lights would be out. The door locked. Or maybe the room would be filled with guards training, if Nicholas had forgotten to claim the room for the day.

Just outside the door, I stood and inhaled a deep, long breath. Then I let it out.

Gathering my strength, I reached for the gym door and pulled. It opened. It wasn’t locked.

Okay. So far so good.

I stepped inside. The lights were on.

Two things going good. I followed a familiar pathway down the corridors of the gym to the weight room where the mats were set up for sparring and training.

That door was unlocked too, and as I stepped inside, the room was empty. No stray guardsmen or women around.

For a moment, relief flooded me. Maybe he didn’t forget after all. A second later, a sense of dread hit me instead.

If Nicholas hadn’t forgotten, then where was he? Why was I now alone in this room?

I checked my watch. I was a few minutes early. So I set down my gear and decided to wait.

I waited until the time we were supposed to meet. Then I waited fifteen more minutes. Then twenty.

At a full hour past, my heart felt so tender it might shatter. So I gathered my gear, bit back my tears, and headed for the door.

At the very same moment, Nicholas rushed through it.

“Piper, I –”

He nearly ran straight into me, but stopped abruptly. He looked down at me in

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surprise. When he saw the tears in my eyes, his face crumpled.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” he said. “Were you waiting long?”

“A half hour.‘

hand through his hair. “Bridget came knocking on my door so early and wanted to have breakfast together. I don’t think I even woke up until I was halfway to the dining room. When I realized what had happened, I left at once. I don’t know. When

rubber band. So he was with her instead of here with me. Of course.

away to

felt

not like you to be late for anything,” I

to catch up with an old friend.

I fully believed it. I didn’t trust my

don’t be angry,”

“I’m not angry.”

tilted his head, considering me. His eyes narrowed, he didn’t believe me. He shouldn’t have, I was lying through my

olive branch, and I was eager to take it. The

“Okay,” I said.

in our workout clothes, squaring off at each other. Nicholas had earlier tried to teach me how to throw a punch and now he wanted me to practice by trying to hit

me,” he said.

stronger now,” I reminded him.

okay,” he replied.

was an Alpha, after all.

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“Okay,” I said.

to pay attention. As he blocked my attacks, punch after punch, he moved with such grace that it seemed like he was dancing.

punches became wilder.

ducked to dodge one. “Uh, Piper. You are

putting everything in it that I had. I

should stop.”

back for so long that now it was swelling into rage. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I had too

I was shifting

eyes went wide, shocked. In the next instant, he shifted too.

an Alpha wolf

growled low and steady, demanding dominance. I felt the command deep in my

down, he was saying.

to listen. It was even without my meaning to. Slowly, I laid down and

back, his growl said now.

at the

long before Nicholas shifted

“Piper…”

sorry…” I

“Are you better…?”