The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

History Lesson

For the first time since her arrival, Savvy saw Penelope up close. The woman indeed looked as if she was already a queen. Although her brows were knitted together, surprisingly she was pointing her sharp, displeased gaze at her friends.

“Please,” she sighed heavily and rubbed her forehead carefully, so as not to ruin her make-up, “I asked you not to do this. We are rivals here, but not enemies. We can still be civil with one another.”

“But…”Inga protested, clearly wanting to object, however, a warning look from her leader was enough to close her mouth.

“Let us chat for a bit,” Penelope offered, suddenly changing her facial expression. Her two minions backed away, lowering their heads in submission. While they all had alpha blood, Penelope’s authority was undeniable.

Savannah mentally prepared for another battle, but the girl surprised her again. She took her arm and led her away from the crowd. A drone flew after them, and Savvy stretched the sweetest smile on her face just in case they were being filmed.

“I wanted to introduce myself,” Penelope stated. She was the picture of elegance and friendliness. “I have spoken to every other contender today except for you. Welcome to the North, Princess Savannah Stormhold. It’s our honour to have you here.”

It did not escape Savvy that she welcomed her on behalf of the whole North as if it belonged to her. The other issue was that although she used her title to address her, she was still holding her hand and leading her somewhere – a sign of them being equals. When they were not. Someone was getting ahead of themselves.

“You are very sweet,” Savýy complimented, strategically deciding right now wasn’t the appropriate time to clash with Penelope. It was, however, the right time to learn more about her opponent.

“Sorry about that,” the girl apologised as she waved off her two friends, who had chosen to remain close by. “I really meant what I said. I think we can be good friends in the future. It will be great for our nations.”

Of course, she meant the future where she would be the Luna of the North and Savvy would return to the Western Kingdom.

“Yes, that’s true.” The westerner nodded, realising that her plan to wait it out was going to the bin. “I heard that your pack have always supported the royal family. Let’s keep that tradition alive.”

To Penelope’s credit, she didn’t even blink at the little jab.

“Another person I wanted to apologise for is Elene,” the girl said suddenly, sighing deeply. “We are like family. She is overprotective and really wants me to win…”

“Oh, that must be so stressful for you.” Savannah tried really hard not to roll her eyes. It wasn’t like she was learning anything new after all.

“It is. Kai and I are good friends, but we are just that – friends.” Penelope looked up at the

sky. We all grew up together and are very close. But we don’t love each other, and we know that.”

Okay, this was new.

“Why are you telling me this?” Savvy eyed her curiously. This was getting more and more intriguing by the minute.

“Just so you know I am not a threat.” Penelope stopped and looked at the flowers next to them. They were roses, and Savannah did her best not to frown. “Just because so many people see me as their queen doesn’t mean I will become one. I’d say it’s unlikely.”

“I can say the same,” Savvy shrugged her shoulders innocently. Two could play this game. “I am here to improve our kingdoms’ relationship and learn more about my family’s history. I was deprived of the northern part of my heritage, and it’s time to fix that.”

The drone was right above their heads, and the princess grinned at her companion. “Do you like roses, Penelope?” she asked the northerner to startle her.

“Yes, very much. A rose is the queen of flowers.” Penelope’s hand brushed over delicate flowers, but Savannah simply cut one of them with her sharp nail. Then she carefully attached it to the girl’s hair, not bothering to find a good placement for the flower. It was awkwardly sticking out of the golden headband she wore in a feeble attempt to pass it off as a crown, and now the whole thing looked silly and pompous.

suits you,” Savvy fixed the rose so it would be difficult to remove from

you,” Penelope blushed because she couldn’t see it herself yet. “You are not at all what

a

girl let out a little laugh. “Look, I am trying to support all the contenders here. This is

are kind and generous,” Savvy told her what she wanted to hear. It would

planned for the brunch. It’s …”. She looked around as if

her mouth, pretending to gasp. When in fact, she wanted to yawn. This game was a very

a history quiz.” Penelope pursed her lips, waiting for

muster. “But it was supposed to be break

eliminate more contenders as soon as possible. They

to help For a moment, Savannah felt sorry for the northern princess,

this was the

maid has a history book with her,” Penelope whispered. “If you want, you can have a look. I know it’s not enough time to help you, but, who knows,

idea what kind of favour this was for her She, of course, had already

tome. Scanning the garden with her alert eyes, she noticed a few other girls with similar books, which meant the northerner arrived prepared in advance. There was no

the book on her knees. “I will never

be my turn now?” Petra asked, taking Kai’s arm, after which he decided it

was saying. It was something about the weather and how disappointed she was not to have seen macarons on

tall woman almost running to them with a worried face. He recognised her as Petra’s assistant and tried not to giveaway how funny it appeared that she was terrified of the two of them staying alone, which was understandable since

or the best actress in the world.

to hide the disappointment in her voice. She may have wanted to control their

It was an excellent

you again,” he offered and smiled charmingly as he pushed Petra in the direction of his babysitter. “Thank you for the wonderful conversation. I

..” Petra disagreed, her head poked out of many layers of

for Petra.” Evelyn took her protégé’s hand and squeezed it, signalling for her to follow the lead. Luckily, Petra was obviously trained, and he

task of speaking to the rest of the contenders yet he found himself marching in the direction of his Beta, who was helping himself to

complained when he saw his king. He didn’t seem the least bit

of the snacks was now stuck in his throat, and his king was happy to help, hitting him on the

a few times again. He got his phone out, searched for yesterday’s program release, and handed

face getting darker by the minute. He could now see why she wasn’t

his breath, his eyes finding

the show. That’s why!” His friend chuckled and sent another sandwich down his throat, choking again under the stern gaze of his Alpha. “You should see the scores too! Savannah is the only one with a negative balance after two

his fists, accidentally

Lachlan sighed. “I just got

king demanded but meeting his friend’s gaze, he realised he knew the answer. They both gave Elene carte blanche and reaped the

“Is there a challenge

sandwich but didn’t risk getting it into his mouth this

to relax today!” The king tried to suppress his anger. His sister really went

to test their history knowledge without letting them prepare.” The Beta placed the sandwich back on the table, eyeing it sadly under his king’s glare. “She said that if they respected us enough, they would have already learned it

didn’t know a thing!” Kai was about

losing his usual playful attitude. “Isn’t that