The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0631

Things were quiet on the way back to the palace. We'd managed to escape before we saw a bear. Nicholas had seemed confident that none of the people we had run into had been a bear shifter.

"I would have known," Nicholas said. "Their smell would have given them away."

Alphas had sensitive noses, so I had to assume that was true. Whatever the case, we managed to return to the palace without incident. Tiffany took the photo of the twins and rushed back to the sitting room we had been using for our meetings.

Once she was gone, Veronica sighed. "She's been trying so hard to make the most of the time she thinks she has left."

All of us looked at Julian, but he glanced away, avoiding all of our glances.

"We could all do with that determination," Julian said. "Since we are working to stop a war before it can begin." With that, he, too, went down the hallway, following in Tiffany's steps.

Veronica nodded at me, and at Nicholas, and then shadowed Julian in the same direction.

I wanted to help, too. It would take all hands on deck to track down all the orphanages and foster homes between the northern border and the small town.

But there was something else on my mind first. A much different matter needed my attention before the elimination ceremony tomorrow.

With the others gone, I turned to Nicholas.

"I need to speak with your parents," I said. It was time to make my decision, and take my stand.

I was frightened, of course. Defying the king wasn't recommended if you wanted to live a long, healthy life. But I wasn't going to let that fear stand in my way anymore.

The kingdom was too important.

Nicholas was too important.

Nicholas gave me an uncertain look. He knew about his father's desire for me to withdraw from the competition and throw my support behind Bridget.

hoped he trusted me to make the right

they'll see

me hard for a moment more, then he stood taller

his hand for me. I immediately took it, and together,

down, enjoying her tea. She did not greet us beyond a soft nod of

even grayer than the last time I had seen him. I regretted that this conversation was likely to add more stress to his

not be helped. I'd made my decision, and

you are here to tell me good news," the King said. He stopped pacing only long enough to stop, face us, and say those words.

While he hadn't made any overt threats, I knew his idea that I should withdraw was less of

really hoped I lived through this

clawed at the bravery buried deep inside of myself. Nicholas was beside me. He wouldn't let me be killed

King stopped again and faced me. "Tell me,

lump of fear in the wake of such piercing focus. I wouldn't be intimidated now. I had to be

not be withdrawing from

The Queen lowered her teacup down to the saucer with a loud

her voice eerily calm. "You would sacrifice the good of the nation... and for what? Your

"No," I said.

my feelings for Nicholas would indeed be selfish of me, I have now learned to embrace them. Especially

to support another, then maybe. But I will not surrender this nation or the man I love more than any other to that fiend who has time and again placed her own needs and desires about those of the people

didn't know why he would be surprised. Surely he knew the depths of my

loud. I wished the first time hadn't been here, in front of his

tell him again later, more privately, when it

a well-loved champion of the people -* the

and we all know

interrupt your mother," the King

at him. "Tell me I'm

a hand

herself first. She would care for her own gains before that of this kingdom. And she would be a terrible partner for me,"

then, Nicholas?" the