The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0453

Julian and I stayed out in the woods until just before dawn, when we finally made our way back toward the palace. Just as we broke the tree lines and came into the field on the outside of the gardens, Julian stilled. I stopped beside him and looked at him curiously.

His gaze seemed to be fixed on something, so I followed the length of it to see Nicholas walking toward us. His hands were curled into fists. His shoulders were straight, tense. His jaw was locked and his mouth a hard line. His golden eyes were burning with anger, visible even in the dim light.

Sp

Mark followed along behind Nicholas, speaking to him but not touching him. Nicholas didn’t acknowledge Mark at all.

“Julian…” I said, half in warning, half because I wasn’t sure what else to say.

“It will be fine,” Julian said. His gaze was fixed on his brother. His own body was beginning to tense. We’d been up all night. He must have been exhausted. But you would have never guessed it looking at him like this. His focus was intense.

As Nicholas approached, I saw the rage in him. His muscles were flexing wildly, visible even though his tight button–up shirt and slacks. He looked to be on the verge of shifting.

“Nick,” I began. His gaze slid to me for only a moment, yet in that moment, I could feel the heat of his anger. It didn’t feel like it was directed at me, however. Instead, as he looked again at Julian, that anger emerged as a deep, guttural growl.

“How dare you,” Nicholas growled.

“What do you care if Piper and I were out all night?” Julian scoffed. “I heard you spent the night with someone on your own.”

Nicholas growl amplified. “You defiled Piper.”

“Oh? Did I?” Julian smirked. It was sharp.

“Nick,” I said again, more forcefully. I wasn’t defiled. We only looked at the stars.

“Stay out of this, Piper,” Julian said, stopping me from explaining. “My brother and I are

due for a chat.” To Nicholas, he said, “On with it then.”

“Step back, Piper,” Nicholas said.

“But –”

1/4

+15 BONUS

says, Piper,” Julian added in. He

I refuse to stand by and let you two fight over

Mark was in front of me. He slowly ushered me back away from the

his arm to try to get him out of the way, but the man was an immoveable wall. Even with my

wouldn’t want you hurt,” he said.

it’s okay for

and pounced at Julian. Julian shifted just in time to meet him, and they met each other with fur and

and tried to

waist to yank me

two enraged werewolves is a terrible idea, Piper,” he said. “Just let them sort

“Like this?”

only way,” Mark said.

If Julian had just told Nicholas that nothing had happened between him and me, then… well, Nicholas probably wouldn’t believe him. Even if I said it, Nicholas wouldn’t believe it. He was too far gone

did he have to be jealous,

had been with Bridget last night, and though I doubted they had sex, they would someday if she was to become

my stomach and squeezed. I tried to

would Nicholas think Julian and I had sex anyway?” I asked Mark.

look. “You were out all night, which made

Julian, Nicholas usually approached these things with either calmness

seen him jump into

2/4

+15 BONUS

off to circle around. Their strong wolves healed quickly, so even the ugliest of wounds didn’t last. It still hurt my heart to see blood drawn on either of them.

days,” Mark said. “His calm façade is

She carried a cup of tea and a saucer as she casually made her way toward

“Again?” I asked.

do this all the time when we were younger. Sibling rivalry, you know? Fighting helps them get it out of their system.”

sipped from her tea.