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.

how those are – crashing things all the time, coming uninvited to the territories that are not theirs. Brigit is just true to

quickly. “I couldn’t believe my own eyes when I saw

Savvy removing her mask. Kai was cut entirely out of the shot. Then it was revealed that she was saying something, but one could only hear the

and Gentlemen!” Claude

the flesh!” Chloe giggled. “And let me tell you, I have always known those rumours about King Kai asking for her

to show the world that she is the one clinging to our King. Yet here she is! Smiling and waving her

bet today, I 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 selected

They showed none

claws out and go to the garden to chop some more roses.

do you mean?” Savannah looked

her. “I had everything recorded and had footage from every angle as well. I spent 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 media will allow. I am also adding comments on my personal point of view as well regarding your bravery, the unfair treatment,

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 still tries to cling to the king!” “She is just embarrassing herself.” “I don’t like her,

come to my town, and I will show her the northern hospitality! She will forget

brave of her to do that

friends were quiet. She could feel anger rising in every cell of her

Kyle asked

“Zara, help me to find that pink dress. Since this is the reality of our current situation,

today? It’s just a break.” Zara pointed out, getting the shimmering fabric out

it one more time just in case. “Every minute, we’ll be filmed, and we need

***

her long pale pink dress. The fine brunch spread was 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 her way in,

The sheer flowing fabric covered with intricate shimmering lace hugged her body perfectly while her chest and arms were covered, creating the innocent and modest look she was going for. At the same time, the gown was backless and see-through from mid-thigh down, letting her stay

would normally wear for brunch,

noticed and quietly applauded herself for her foresight the moment she saw all the other contestants in their sparkly and bedazzling

Some brunch it was!

the centre, she saw none other than the Northern

charming smile when someone greeted

told, she

beautiful couple. Penelope was

wearing a deep purple dress, the colour of the royals. And

there, as if she had done it many times before. What

Savvy wanted to wipe their

called her name, and she was surprised to see a cloud of pink moving toward her. “There you

her away. In this pink chaos, she noticed

the other girl giggled. She let herself throw one last glance in Kai’s direction, realising that he was watching her

come on!” Even though it was hard to see her in layers and layers of tulle, Petra insisted.

she was wearing that colour today. However, when Petra stopped, she saw that some