The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0624

The next morning, I headed down to breakfast with Elva per usual. Today, all of the girls were even more animated than usual, their voices quick and cheerful with the latest gossip, their expressions bright.

*Susie and Mark are engaged!" Tiffany said, repeating what the others have said but louder and with bigger hand

movements.

*They must have met here during the competition," Olivia reasoned. "She broke the rules by paying attention to anyone other than the princes. She could go to jail for this."

"No one is going to send her to jail," Bridget said. "Nicholas wouldn't let that happen." For once, I agreed with Bridget.

*A Beta, though?" Lilliana scoffed. "She is a lady of good upbringing. She had the opportunity to marry a prince. Why on earth would she settle for someone of lesser stock?"

*She loves him," I said. I helped Elva into her chair and then sat in mine. Susie's was empty on the other side of me, and would now stay empty for the rest of the competition.

While I would certainly miss her - I did already - I was happy that she had found someone that she loved who loved her. She would find her happiness.

I wished now that I could find mine.

At least most of the other girls seemed happy for Susie too. Tiffany, Veronica, Jessica and even Bridget thought the match acceptable.

"What does it matter if she lowers herself slightly? A love match is a beautiful thing," Jessica said.

"You would think that," Lilliana said, "Since now you have no competition for Joyce's affections."

Jessica's face went a bit red. "I wasn't saying it just because of that. Susie is a nice person. Let her have what she wants."

"I bet she's pregnant," Lilliana said flatly.

Olivia gasped, even as a smile crossed her face. "How scandalous. That would explain why her parents would be so acceptable to the match."

*They are marrying for love," I said flatly. I left no room for argument. If someone wanted to disagree with me on this, I would fight them. Susie's pregnancy did not negate from the fact that the two loved each other very much.

did press the timeline of their romance forward somewhat, but that was all it

were for

with me. Not even Lilliana or Olivia, who I suspected would argue with

pitying you," Lilliana said. "You may be the only contender now for Prince Joyce's affections, but he's

"Perhaps the others had the right idea, Jessica. Maybe you should back out as well." "Don't be jealous," Jessica snapped. She lifted her head up high. "You two will lose to Piper and Bridget, but I'm a shoe-in

snapped taller in their

"What happened to Prince Joyce anyway? After he was determined to be a liar and

Her cheeks stayed white for only an instant before

expression scrunched up

kingdom you are talking about," Jessica huffed. "You could be charged for treason for talking

that she had to look down her nose at Jessica. "Try

asked an innocent question," Olivia said. "Where is Prince

to sputter, Veronica sunk down slightly in her chair. I tried to catch her eye

beat herself up, but I couldn't talk to her about it in front of all these people. For now, I bit my tongue.

it came to the girls berating Jessica, however, I wasn't going to

"But he is still a prince. And Jessica will make the best

at me,

is marrying a Beta," Lilliana said, and they returned the subject to something

afternoon, I joined Nicholas, Elva, and the wolves for a walk out in the yard beyond the gardens. Elva was laughing,

I

heard that voice again?" Nicholas asked. "The one you

haven't tried shifting again

you should try. See if

alarming and unnerving the last time I had

mean it would simply go away. It would be like ignoring

me. It was better

side-eyed where Elva played with the wolves.

that. I'll always be at your side,

him, but I didn't want to get

in a deep breath, closed my eyes, and