The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0017

His mouth near the microphone, Nicholas paused a moment as if thinking. Then he spoke.

“Miss Piper was chosen by the ceremony, and the royal family will honor that choice.”

He continued, “One of the many crises we face as a people is a low birthrate among werewolves. Any mother, especially one raising a child on her own, is to be commended.”

He paused, again gathering his thoughts. The way he spoke was purposeful and careful, each word carefully considered.

“Piper represents the cultural progression of our kingdom. We, collectively, have moved beyond the era of allowing only young maidens to be Luna. Now, any woman can have her chance.”

A few claps sounded in the audience, before the reporter spoke up again. “In addition to being a single

mother, isn’t Piper also a non–werewolf?”

“Neither non–werewolves nor single mothers will face discrimination by this royal family,” Nicholas said,

faster to respond than he had been before.

My heart pounded. That sounded like a defense of me. I forced that feeling down. No, he was defending.

his family from potential ridicule, not me.

“And what would you say to the dissenters?” the reporter asked Some of the others began to insist he sit down. He’d already asked his fair share of questions. But the report continued to stand, unyielding.

“I would ask those dissenters to continue to place their faith in us and the strength of this kingdom.

leaned back, finished with

sounded. Many of the reporters nodded

him in awe. He’d clearly had his reservations about me, but his answer

this, I realized. Raised

Raised to be King.

was selected. The rest of the questions were simpler, asked to gain soundbites from the princes regarding the

did most of

No one mentioned me.

reporter asked, “Will the political strength of the different

choices at all?*

in. “The merits of each candidate

reporter tried to say. The King quickly

much of the selection process will be broadcasted live, everyone will

strengths and failings of each individual girl. The princes will follow the will of the

make the correct choices.”

silenced, he sat

ended

royal family returned inside first, with the

in my room, one of my

watched the event on television,” she said. “It’s on

took a shine to me once we had started talking, possibly because we had much in common. We’d eaten at the same

brands of clothes.