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.‘

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 I’m catching up with Bridget, I feel like

cracked through me like a snapped rubber band. So he was with her instead of here with me.

able to pull himself away

still felt

not like you to be late for anything,”

sorry, Piper. Truly. It’s just so nice to catch up with an old friend. But I never meant

nodded, not sure if I fully believed

be angry,”

“I’m not angry.”

eyes narrowed, he didn’t believe

I was eager to take it. The last thing I wanted to hear was more apologies or

“Okay,” I said.

the mat in our workout clothes, squaring off at each other. Nicholas had earlier tried to teach me how

me,”

I reminded

be okay,” he replied.

was an Alpha,

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“Okay,” I said.

few pointers. It was difficult to pay attention. As he blocked my attacks, punch after punch, he moved with such grace that it seemed like he was dancing. Thinking of him dancing, reminded me of last night, of seeing him and Bridget in the ballroom.

punches became wilder.

to dodge one. “Uh, Piper. You are going a

another wild punch, putting everything in it that I

we should stop.”

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

was shifting in my wolf

eyes went wide, shocked. In the

me, an Alpha wolf to my smaller

demanding dominance. I felt the command

he was saying.

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

growl

at the order.

hard, staring up at an Alpha wolf. Though it wasn’t long before Nicholas shifted too, and he was staring down at me. He was breathing just as

“Piper…”

sorry…” I

“Are you better…?”