The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

12. Daja w

“Look at us! We are even sharing clothes now!” Savvy said, pulling on the sweatshirt he gave her. “And here I thought that I wasn’t special to you!”

“Savannah…” He groaned, and she imagined that the king of the North was angry with her. He had to be since she was just a nuisance to him.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty,” she giggled. “Don’t be offended. I know very well that I am just one of the twenty or so contenders. Oops. Pardon me, twelve. Twelve contenders. We don’t count those poor girls who came in the wrong colour dresses, right? They committed such a serious offence!”

“Are you done?” Kai growled, waiting for her impatiently.

“Oh, I am far from being done!” the princess snorted when she realised that the sweatshirt was barely covering her bottom. However, she had to admit that it was better than nothing, and she would have to be content with having just this on her. It was better than the two of them staying naked together. Nothing good could come out of that. “In fact, I could go on about all this for hours!”

“That’s not what I am asking,” Kai cut her off, “Are you dressed?”

“If one can call this short hoodie a dress, then yes….” The girl muttered and didn’t even get to finish her sentence when the lycan’s strong hand grasped her forearm, pulling her out of the bushes into the moonlight.

“Good,” he said calmly and pushed her against the tree where just a few minutes ago, the bear was holding her hostage.

Déjà vu.

“And now tell me who the man you were with a few minutes ago was.”

He tucked his nose into the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath of her scent mixed with the intruder’s, and his elongated claws sliced the tree bark right next to her.

“Damn, Kai,” she chuckled, demonstrating that he wasn’t intimidating to her at all. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you are jealous!”

He pulled away from her quickly. Way too quickly.

Their eyes met, and he quickly averted her gaze, making her blush at the realisation that there might have been some truth to her joke.

The king cleared his throat. “Don’t change the subject. It’s absolutely unacceptable that my… one of the contenders is sneaking out with some guy in the woods!”

“Imagine my surprise when I thought I was coming here to get married and found my groom-to-be with twenty other women!” She didn’t hold back a smirk that curled her lips, and he finally locked his eyes with hers. They stared at each other as if it was a competition, and Savvy experienced a wave of triumph when he sighed heavily and looked away.

“I didn’t know, okay?” Kai ran his hand over his hair. “L’

M

sister to handle it for you,” she said coldly, and he felt respect for her. Her composure was admirable. After all, he

there. “Savannah, I didn’t. I didn’t know

himself harder into her. So, she placed a hand between the two of them,

“I thought you liked it better that way.” The man scoffed, and she rolled her eyes at him. “Back then, I thought you were a simple gardener….” She pointed out with

in front of him didn’t hesitate with her answer, and he knew that she was right. The moment he stopped

believe that the one time he allowed himself to enjoy

West was in their roots. This was what they lived and breathed. There were too many wars in the past, and his people did not forget or forgive easily. If she was his mate or came with a particular piece

what it’s worth, I am sorry it turned out like this.” Kai found himself

him away slightly and meeting resistance. She could have pushed harder. He could have stepped back. Yet here they both were, in the darkest shadows of

from here since you are sorry and all that?” Savvy snapped out of it first. She had enough men playing with her in one lifetime. She had had enough of those. Unfortunately, even if he apologised, he

to

out an annoyed breath and furrowed her brows. She had to be the reasonable

very same

slap, and he tried scanning her face for any kind of emotions. Yet the Western Princess only raised her

knew that she was serious. All he had to do was sign the

now since he knew there was a looming threat from the white bear packs. Gideon was a prick, but that

kingdom forever. She would find her mate. or her brother would arrange another marriage for her… She wouldn’t be his

growled inside of his mind. That fellow wasn’t talkative, but

is not our mate. Just forget it.” Kai tried to reason

him off, but

bare foot on the grass impatiently. “No,” he said firmly, and she gaped at him. “No?” Her whole body got tense hearing his words. “No.”

am afraid I will need an explanation to go with

don’t trust your brother too much, and I need to investigate the situation more,” he replied calmly and heard her

months for that!” Savvy reminded him,

a few more weeks wouldn’t make a big difference.” Kai chuckled, and the princess

and then maybe I will agree to that alliance.” He couldn’t even hide his smirk when he declared this. The thoughts of her not wearing anything under that sweatshirt raced

that’s ignorant!” She squeezed both her hands in between them to fold them simply to demonstrate to him how unimpressed she was. “After all, you probably need this alliance more than we do from the looks

supposed to mean?” Kai’s smile

of his grasp. “You have a fox and a werebear in the competition, and I just met a bear who felt as if he was at home here. Not to mention

when I thought that you could be serious. No bears can enter my land. Even that girl Brigit

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provided with a few werewolves to help her