Chapter 11

“Nicholas.”

I was dreaming. I must have been close to waking up to be so lucid.

I stood in my old room at the Academy. Nicholas had his back to me, his hand on the door handle. A familiar curl of dread was growing in my stomach. A dull, physical ache rested behind my ribs.

This was the moment I had broken up with him.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Save it.” His voice was rough. I’d hurt him, but he didn’t want to admit it. He wouldn’t let me see.

“Nick, please –”

“Don’t call me that.” He pulled the handle and the door swung open. The light of the hall was blinding, compared to the dimness of the room.

I had wanted to stop him. I wanted to take back everything, and bring him into my arms again.

But I couldn’t.

I had a newborn baby waiting for me, and the loss of my wolf had left me hollow inside.

Now, I wanted to awaken, but I forced myself to relive the moment, watching him leave me.

When he was gone, my body crumpled, just as it had that day. I’d hid my pain in front of him. I hadn’t wanted him to know what I’d done, and what it had cost me.

“Nicholas,” I had cried long into the night, before I pulled myself together, left the Academy, and never looked back.

I blinked open my eyes and stared at the silk canopy above my borrowed bed. Beside me, Elva snored, face half-pressed into the pillow.

I stayed there watching her for a long time, as I pressed the memories back into the past where they belonged.

Eventually a knock sounded on the door, and the two maids entered. I pulled myself out of bed.

Today was the day of the candidates’ first public appearance. We had to get ready. Everything had to be perfect.

Everyone knew I wouldn’t win the final selection, but I had decided to try to stay as long as I could. Elva was treated like a little princess here. For her sake, I wanted that to last.

Plus, it was nice to eat three full meals a day again. I was already regaining some of the weight I’d lost. My ribs weren’t quite so visible anymore. Each day, I was gaining more energy.

I’d never be as strong as those with wolves, but now I could at least last a full day without being totally exhausted.

The maids helped me dress after my shower. Elva and I had matching light green gowns with faux wildflowers stitched into the skirt. Elva wanted to wear a flower crown to match, but unfortunately, the one Susie had made for her had wilted.

We both thanked the maids for their help, then, holding Elva’s hand, I led her to the parlor room where the other girls were gathering.

Linda wore a stunning red gown that complimented her pale complexion. She stood out in the room, the girl wearing the brightest, sharpest color. She smiled brightly whenever she caught someone looking at her.

“Many of my pack were approved to be part of the crowd today,” she said to another girl, Oliva, whose off-white floor-length dress was sleek and elegant.

“My pack, too,” Olivia said, matching Linda’s smile. Though they spoke friendly enough, it almost seemed like a contest between the two.

I wondered if they were in an alliance together, and if they were, how long it would last.

I spotted Susie near the wall at the far side of the room, yet before we could make our way over, Nathan appeared at the door behind me.

“Are you ladies ready for your introduction?”

We lined up first and then were led outside. A stage had been erected in front of the palace. The cameras were not yet running as he stepped onto it. The crowd was there though, and began letting out cheers.

“Linda!”

“Olivia!”

A few other names were called as well, but none as loud as those two. They had to come from prominent packs indeed, to have been allowed so many onlookers into the small crowd.

Elva, nervous by the noise, hid behind my skirt. I picked her up into my arms.

“Are you frightened?” I asked her.

She nodded.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “They just want to see you. They’re here to cheer for you, Elva.”

“They aren’t saying my name.”

I kissed the side of her head. “They just don’t know it yet.”

When the royal family arrived to the stage, the camera crew came alive.

Nathan walked his way down the line of us girls. “Heads up, everyone. We’re about to start.”

I straightened Elva’s dress, then held her close as the director waved and the crowd erupted into a roar.

Nathan took a strong breath that lifted his entire chest, and spoke.

“The royal family humbly thanks everyone for joining us. Those here in the crowd, and those watching at home. We are eager to introduce you to the selected candidates, any one of which could eventually become Luna, that is, the next Queen.”

One by one, the girls stepped forward, introducing themselves, the pack they were with, and said something about themselves.

Linda, as expected, was from a wealthy and successful pack. “I will bring glory to my pack,” she said, and half the crowd cheered.

Olivia, beside her, was not to be outdone. Her pack was just as prominent. “I thank my pack for their support in helping bring me here.”

The other half of the crowd cheered.

Linda smiled at Olivia, but it was too tight to be genuine.

Susie spoke too softly into the microphone for anyone to hear. Nathan asked her to speak up but she panicked and froze. Nathan smoothly moved on from her distress, passing the microphone forward.

When it was my turn, Elva helped me hold the microphone. The crowd, watching us began to murmur.

“My name is Piper,” I said. “I am twenty years old, and my pack…” I quickly gave the name of my less-prestigious pack. “I would like to thank the royal family for giving a single mother like myself a chance at the selection.”

No one cheered for me. They whispered and stared.

Elva leaned into the microphone. “And I’m Elva.”

That at least earned a couple of claps.

Elva worried her bottom lip with her teeth, as Nathan took the microphone away from us.

“You did great,” I told her, but she still didn’t seem so sure.

After the introductions, we were ushered to a press conference further into the gardens. The three princes and the King were already seated. Different cameras were aligned, facing them. A slew of reporters sat in folding chairs behind the cameras. Each had their hands raised.

The King called on one reporter who stood.

After briefly introducing himself and his publication, he said, “A question for the princes. Your Royal Highnesses, what are your thoughts about a single mother participating in the selection?”

Julian leaned forward first. “It definitely adds to the excitement, doesn’t it? A relief, really. Sometimes things can get stuffy and dull around here.”

The press laughed. The King gave him a flat look. Julian met it and shrugged.

“Prince Joyce?” the reporter asked.

Joyce leaned toward the microphone. “It’s fine.” He leaned back.

The reporter waited, but Joyce didn’t say anything else. The reporter cleared his throat. “Yes, thank you. Uh. Prince Nicholas? Same question.”

Anxiety clawed at my chest. What would he say? He had made his opinion of me very clear in that bathroom. I couldn’t imagine that he wanted me here. He couldn’t even seem to stand looking at me for too long.

He leaned forward, toward the microphone.

I held my breath.