THE LUNA CHOOSING GAME - Season 7 Episode 10

“You don’t know that,” I said. “It’s as possible that Hawk kidnapped him as it is that Joyce wanted to go. We don’t know all the facts.”

Veronica received no comfort from my words. Her shoulders slumped slightly. “I wish I could have been in two places at once.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. It wasn’t her fault, but she didn’t seem inclined to listen to reason. I stayed quiet instead, offering her comfort by my presence more than my words. Whatever she was feeling, I could help her carry it. We were friends. Her burdens were mine as well.

“So many long faces,” Julian said from the doorway. He grinned at us as we came close. We both looked at him. I noticed Veronica’s eyes brighten slightly, though gloom still hung over her like a dark cloud. “Good thing I come bearing gifts.”

Julian had his hand behind his back. As he approached Veronica, he pulled a small box from behind his back and placed it in front of her, right on top of the book she had been reading.

Veronica lifted a brow at him, then at the gift.

“Go on,” Julian said.

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Veronica opened the box. Inside were a few seeds. I didn’t understand the significance, but Veronica’s mood immediately shifted, lightening.

“Where did you find these? These flowers are so rare…” She was in awe.

Julian’s grin widened. “I’m a prince, remember? Rare or no, I can deliver.”

I didn’t understand. Julian noticed as he glanced at me.

*Veronica mentioned that she regularly uses the pollen of a certain flower in many of her potions and spells. I thought it might be nice if she could just grow her own, instead of constantly sinking money into the pollen.” *A most thoughtful gift,” Veronica said. The corner of her mouth shifted slightly, lifting in an almost smile.

I smiled now too, in relief. If I couldn’t lift Veronica’s spirits, I was pleased that someone else could.

Julian’s grin softened, looking at Veronica, and for a brief moment, I felt as if I was intruding on something that was not meant for me.

Soon, the moment passed, however, and we chatted like friends. The distraction was nice while it lasted. But in the back of my mind, I still agonized over the choice I would soon be required to make.

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Leaving my friends to each other’s company, I went in search of Elva. I found her in the gardens, again with the wolves Night and Silver, though this time Nicholas was with her as well.

I approached quietly. The wolves looked at me but Elva was deep in conversation with Nicholas.

“What does your wolf look like, Nick-lass?” she asked.

She was teasing. “I’ve shown you before,” Nicholas replied with a gentle smile.

“I forgot,” she said. A fib.

Nicholas laughed lightly. “Very well.”

He stood and stepped back a few steps. In a flash, he fully shifted from human to wolf. As an Alpha, his wolf was massive. To anyone else, he would have been intimidating. But Elva wasn’t afraid in the slightest. Instead, she laughed.

“When will I be able to do that?” she asked.

My chest tightened.

My little girl, already to strong and so smart. She was on track to manifesting her wolf sooner rather than later. I was both proud and worried.

With a war on the way and the underground hiding in the shadows, who knew what kind of future waited for her? Was there anything I could do to make it brighter?