The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

14. Brunch

“Is it good or bad?” Savvy furrowed her eyebrows. She did her best, and she knew it, but it wasn’t like they were in a friendly country. Besides, Elene had plans of her own for the contest. which was evident to everyone present.

“Just take a look at it yourself.” Zara handed her a laptop and placed a cup of coffee on the bedside table. She never wasted time, an aspect Savannah especially valued in her. She was always punctual and neat, even though her sense of fashion was on the edgier side and could easily suggest otherwise. Her usual put-together and neat appearance were out of replacement, and Savannah was surprised to see a huge distinct stain on her white dress.

“What’s this?” she asked without hesitation. “Nothing.” Zara shook her short dark hair. “Just a clumsy accident at breakfast.” “Are you sure it was an accident?” The princess arched her brow.

“Yeah. Sure. I’ll change when we are done here. It’s nothing for you to concern yourself with.” Zara shrugged her shoulders. She was projecting confidence, so Savvy was about to let it go when Kyle snorted.

“Accident my as*.” He glanced at her from the chair he was sitting in with his own laptop on his knees. “That bird shifter contestant did it. And the whole room heard what she said to Zee.”

“Oh, really? What did she say?” Savvy chirped and took a sip of her coffee, flapping her eyelashes innocently. She wasn’t fooling anyone, though, as her eyes glowed golden with Athena’s anger as her desire rose to rip off the head of her friend’s tormenter.

“Nothing,” Zara pronounced the words cautiously and shot a death stare at Kyle.

“She said it made sense that Zee joined a lycan pack since she was now a stray and her flock didn’t want her and then suggested a stain on her dress would make her look the part.” Kyle ignored Zara’s warning because he knew too well that none of them would tolerate the bullying of their team members.

“How lovely!” Savvy put the cup down with a clatter. “And what did you do when you saw it,

K?”

“I wanted to bathe that b*tch in coffee,” he sneered at her but then heard Zara clearing her throat. “But Zee stopped me, and we just walked away. It was …nice.”

“The hell …Savvy protested in disbelief.

“Because everything we do will be reflected on you, Savannah.” The assistant said firmly. “And no one here will be doing you favours and looking away. We are here to help you and not create problems, remember?” She glared at Kyle, and he groaned, getting back to whatever it was that he was doing on his laptop.

“I’ll deal with it myself then,” Savvy promised him via their mind link, and he secretly smirked at her, knowing that she would take care of Mavis discreetly.

“Let’s get back to that news release.” Zara had lost her patience and sat on the bed next to

her, clicking on the trackpad.

A northern channel’s logo appeared with a beautiful scenic mountain view as a background, and then she saw the hosts, the famous brother and sister, Chloe and Claude Larsen. She read a few articles about them in the past, and, of course, they were imprinted in her memory forever. They won all kinds of prizes for their tv and online programs and were one of those people who were shaping the minds of their kingdom. People loved them, and, more importantly, people believed them.

“And now to the part we have all been waiting for!” Chloe stretched her smile to the maximum, showing off her pearly whites. She was in her late forties but didn’t look a day older than twenty-five.

“The Luna Trials are really happening!” Claude picked up where his sibling left off. “Moreover, King Kai has already met the contenders, and the first elimination took place.

“Shame we didn’t get to find out who failed the simplest test!” Chloe looked straight into the cameras. “But of course, we have saved the best highlights to show you. And, trust me, you want to watch them all!”

One by one, they started to introduce each contender. Praising some of them, like Inga and Celina. They mention some briefly, like the witch and the werecats until finally, condemning all the others.

“I don’t know what this werebear was thinking!” Chloe shook her head with a disappointed impression on her face. That was far from what she really felt, judging by the glint in her eyes.

uninvited to the territories that are not theirs. Brigit is just true to her nature.” Claude smirked. “Having said all that, she wasn’t by far the main surprise

couldn’t believe my own

of the shot. Then it

Stormhold, Ladies and Gentlemen!”

you, I have always known those rumours about King Kai asking for her

must be difficult for a princess to show the world that she is the one clinging to our King. Yet here she is! Smiling and waving her hand as she tries

would be placing all my money in the hands of Miss Summerstern! She was a true picture of grace

how amazing Penelope was, and

her teeth. “My carefully

speech! They showed

her claws out and go

do you mean?” Savannah looked

the whole night editing them together. And now I am planning to spend the whole day sharing them as far and as wide as the internet and social

me!” she tiptoed to him barefoot on the cold stone floor and sat on the armrest. “Don’t read the existing comments, though,” he warned her. “It’s a work in progress.” However, of course, she went to the comments section first. “They showed her that they didn’t want her, but she

I will show her the

think it was brave of her

walked away, and for a few seconds, her friends were quiet.

okay?” Kyle asked

reality of our current situation,

for today? It’s just a break.”

her and inspected it one more time just in case. “Every minute, we’ll be filmed, and we need to beat them

***

another opportunity where the contenders were supposed to meet kai to get better acquainted with the Northern Prince. She had already spotted four cameras on

hugged her body perfectly while her chest and arms were covered, creating the innocent and modest look she was going

normally wear for brunch, but

applauded herself for her foresight the moment she saw all the other contestants in

Some brunch it was!

none other than the Northern King himself

had to clench her fists in her skirt and force a charming smile when someone

told,

they appeared to be a beautiful couple. Penelope was indeed a stunning woman fit to

of the royals. And the golden hairband in

something, and she laughed, placing her palm on his chest as if it belonged there, as if she had done it many

like this perfect couple, and Savvy wanted to wipe their smiles off both

was surprised to see a cloud of

and pulled her away. In this pink chaos, she noticed pink curly hair done in two

herself throw one last glance

her in layers and layers of tulle, Petra insisted. “I like your dress, by the way! Do you also like

when Petra stopped, she saw that