The Luna Choosing Game



My heart thundered in my chest so fiercely, I worried that it might break free from my ribcage and jump across the floor.

What announcement was Nicholas about to give? What could he have to say that was so important he would hold up the entire ceremony?

*Some of you maybe have been expecting this," Nicholas said. He spoke confidently and crisply, as clear and sure as if he had been delivering a written speech. Though this speech seemed entirely unprompted. He didn't even have notes. "While to most, I suspect, this will come as a surprise."

*This is most unorthodox, Prince Nicholas," Nathan said.

*I ask only for your patience, Nathan," Nicholas replied. He looked around the entire room. "For all of your patience. This will not take long."

Everyone seemed to agree and accept his words. A quiet murmur filled the ballroom, but it quickly died in anticipation of Nicholas's words.

I glanced at Veronica beside me. She gave me a look that indicated that she knew more than I did. I tilted my head in question, but she simply motioned forward toward Nicholas, as if I should wait and see.

So I did, looking back to the man I loved as he stood in front of the entire kingdom with such bravery and strength.

He was a true leader, even his mere presence demanded respect.

*This competition is no longer necessary," Nicholas said. "At least, not for me. For I have already found the woman of my dreams, and the only one I would ever want to be my Luna."

My heart hammered so loudly, I could hear it in my ears. I placed my hand over my heart in effort to make it ease so that I could hear more properly. I didn't want to miss a single moment of this speech.

My hopes were rising, but I tried to keep them in check. There was no way to tell for sure that Nicholas meant me. Maybe his father got to him. He could have been talking about someone else. He could be making any choice right now.

God, I hoped it was me though. Please. Please. Please. Let it be me.

*I knew her since before the competition even began," Nicholas said. "I had held her in my heart for a long time, not expecting to see her again. But since she's been returned to me, I cannot deny the desire I hold for her and for her alone. If she would please come forward."

Nicholas's gaze swept over the candidates.

Bridget was the first to move, stepping down from the stage.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

If Nicholas noticed, he made no indication of it. Instead, his eyes found me in the crowd.

*Piper," he said.

Bridget froze, then totally disappeared, as did everyone else in the room but Nicholas and I.

I had to be dreaming. That was the only explanation. Yet when I pinched myself, nothing changed about the scene. Nicholas was still standing on the floor between the stage and the throne, with the cameras and all eyes locked on him. He was still holding his hand out toward me, waiting.

I wouldn't keep him waiting anymore.

Dropping down from the edge of the stage and walked slowly toward him. He kept his hand outstretched, so I placed mine within his. He closed his fingers around mine.

*Piper," he said, and he smiled in earnest. The joy on his lips met that of his eyes. It was almost too much, like

staring into the sun. "I have loved you for years. I thought time and distance might diminish my feelings, but they have only grown. You are the only one I want by my side, now and forever."

Then, suddenly, Nicholas dropped to one knee.

"Will you marry, Piper? Will you be my Luna?"

"Yes!" I cried at once. I didn't need time for this decision. I had been wanting this from the beginning, since I had learned the identity of the prince. I had tried so hard to push down my feelings over the past several months, but they'd always managed to burst free despite my best efforts.

I wanted Nicholas as my husband, my mate, and my King. My heart would settle for nothing else. Nicholas's smile grew impossibly wide as he jumped to his feet. He tugged me closer to him, and there, in front of his parents, the candidates, the nobles, and the entire kingdom itself through the camera lens, Nicholas kissed

me.

And I kissed him right back.

"Nicholas!" the Queen shouted.

*This can't be happening!" Bridget shrieked.

Others cheered and clapped.

*Turn off those cameras!" the King demanded.

But it seemed far too late now. The elimination ceremonies were broadcast live. The kingdom would have seen everything Nicholas said. It was far too late to take it back now.

*If everyone can please calm down!" Nathan called.

Nicholas's arms tightened around me. I pushed my fingers through his hair.

We came up for air, but only for a single breath, then to reposition and go in for another kiss.

My entire body was bursting with love for this man. I wanted to give him all that I have, so that he could know his affections for me were not unequaled.

Though perhaps he already knew. He had, after all, heard me declare my love for him to the King.

That wasn't the same as telling him myself though. So the next time we came up for air, I leaned back to deter his kiss long enough to whisper the words, "I love you, Nick."

"And I love you, Piper. Be my wife."

I giggled. "I've already said yes."

*Maybe I want to hear it again."

I kissed him again, soft and sweet. "Yes." Another kiss. "A thousand times, yes."

To think, twenty minutes ago, I had been so certain that I was going to be forced to leave the palace and return to my old life, while Nicholas would move with someone else.

How quickly that mindset changed.

Now I could see clearly how foolish I had been.

Nicholas had always been mine, even from the start. I never should have doubted that.

We kissed and we kissed, and the crowd cheered.

Until -

Everything went dark. A gasp sounded in the crowd. Someone screamed.

"What's happening?" I asked, clutching Nicholas's shoulders.

"I'm not sure," he replied, as his arm tightened securely around me.

*Everyone please stay calm!" Nathan shouted.

Somewhere, glass shattered. Bodies moved. Heavy footsteps sounded throughout the room.

Then, abruptly, the lights clicked back on.

The first thing I noticed where the new arrivals. Towering, unknown males dressed in soldier fatigues. They were scattered in a semi-circle on the outside of the ballroom, blocking off the broken windows they had obviously just

rammed through.

Then, two figures stepped forward from the new group.

One was a man in a bird mask decorated with hawk feathers. He was otherwise dressed in black. Beside him, a figure I recognized, because it matched my own exactly.

Jane.

"There's two of them?" Bridget gasped.

Jane just smirked as she stepped forward. The man, likely Hawk from the way he was dressed, stayed ever in her

shadow.

The King stood tall and proud behind his line of guards, perhaps thinking Jane and Hawk might want to speak with them. Instead, they walked around them to stand before Nicholas and me.

"A touching scene," Jane said. "A pity that it's not meant to last."