The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

Cleghtern

It seemed like people forgot how to breathe. Everyone started to look around, searching for the one to whom the claim belonged.

“Mate…” This time Aspen’s words sounded like thunder on a clear day. Savannah was shocked because he was looking in her direction. She knew, however, that it couldn’t be her. She already had a mate and had met Aspen before. So, she looked at her right and left until she noticed how pale Brigit

was.

“Mate,” Aspen stepped forward, ignoring his startled king and everyone else in the room. His voice was barely a whisper now, and Savvy noticed how Brigit’s lips trembled. “Mine…”

The white bear shifter did not say a word, but her eyes glistened with unspilt tears.

The red-haired northerner smiled as he approached her, not knowing what to do since she did not

move or say a word.

“What is your name?” Brigit asked, and Savannah got an uneasy feeling rising in the pit of her stomach hearing her tone. Something was off.

“Aspen,” the Lycan smiled. “Aspen Morr.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Celia, who finally got over her shock, hissed at her brother. “We are being

filmed, and she is a contender at the Luna Trials!”

But her sibling did not seem to care. Elene wanted to intervene, but Kai motioned for her to stop.

“Aspen Morr,” Brigit smiled, but that was a sad smile. “I Brigit Borg, the daughter of the Alpha of the White Claw pack, reject you as my….”

“No!” Aspen growled loudly, and everyone around them gasped. “4, Brigit Borg, the daughter of …” She started again, and this time Aspen growled even louder. “No, Brigit! I decline your rejection!” He clenched his fists and was breathing heavily now, desperation

LT

and frustration evident on his face.

“Brigit, are you sure?” Savvy whispered to her. “Don’t make rush decisions. You have just met each other and ….”

“,”the white bear shifter started again. She had teary eyes, yet not a single drop spilt yet. For some reason, she was full of determination. “Brigit Borg…”

“No!” Aspen Interrupted her again. “I am not …” His voice broke, and one could tell by just looking at him that he was in pain. “Just… just give me a chance before rejecting me …”

“I came here to represent white bears and participate in The Luna Trials!” Brigit looked him in the eye and pursed her lips. “I will not throw everything away for a mate I just met. I came here to win!”

Aspen’s eyes glowed red. Now he was furtous. He now had his loyalties torn between his mate and his

king, his Alpha. It was the worst situation to be in.

Sawy knew it wasn’t her time to speak, but her heart clenched for the two.

“You do know you may not win this,” she whispered to Brigit and saw Chloe rushing the cameras to get closer. Even now, she didn’t want to miss a good shot. “Leave this decision for after the Trials.”

“She can’t,” Penelope sighed sadly and looked up at them as though she cared. “If she has a mate, she should already be disqualified … Unless Aspen accepts her rejection, of course.”

Brigit pressed her lips so tightly together that they formed a thin white line. For some reason, the Trials were more important to her than anything else.

and Savvy looked in his eyes pleadingly. In all honesty, she had to be happy that the white bear was out. Brigit was a strong competitor. It would be easier without

in the finale if she wants to.” This time it was Petra who spoke, and

Sawy decided to continue this thought. “She is right. Brigit can’t be the Luna if she has a mate, but if that’s done

own situation; they all knew Brigit was done. The North was never going to accept her whatever happened next. But Brigit wasn’t going

and think more

agreed, looking at Aspen. “Brigit Borg can compete. She will have to talk to her mate after each Trial and make her final decision before

didn’t seem happy about it, but at least he wasn’t breathing heavily anymore. That

travel to her designated starting point. Before the Trial begins, you will be checked so that we are sure you don’t have anything on you that can help you. You will all start the next challenge simultaneously, and the distance to the centre of the Forgotten City is the same for all of you. Drones will be following you on your journey to record everything. And, of course, cameras are installed everywhere. We

straight line while the guests were cheering for them. Savannah turned her head back to steal one last glance

her car, waiting for the guards to let her out. It was taking a while, and she was eager to start

expect to see him until

think I would let you go without a proper goodbye,” he murmured and crashed his lips into hers, taking her face in both his palms and caressing

why she was doing this. He was her peace in this cruel world, and she was

king.” one of the guards cleared his throat, making them stop and tear away from each

the lycan who, to his

Savannah to

to her, breathing ragged. “I love you, Savvy,” he whispered.

let out a little laugh. “Out of the two of

and try to make him believe in your feelings for

softly, placing his forehead on hers and closing his eyes. “In the Forgotten

finger on his lips. “Unless every other contender knows this, I don’t want to know. Elene

seems there,” he told her. “Don’t rely just on your memory.

on his lips quickly. “Let’s go

into a reassuring smile. Drones appeared in the

Kai said, and warmth spread over her chest. “And let the Moon Goddess show

away.

It was time.

the Forbidden forest had to

it would make sense for them to appear now. Killing off Kal’s

to look for food because she didn’t plan to stay here for long. Picking up speed, she was sure she’d be near the Forgotten city

Moreover, the pitch of the voice seemed

of.” Savannah was ready to swear. She knew she had glven her word to protect Petra but didn’t expect it to happen so fast.

changed her direction and sprinted to the sound of Petra’s voice. She found the girl in what looked like

be able to get

happened?” Savvy furrowed her brows, looking

her nose and stilling another sob. She wore a tight black outfit today like everyone else but stayed true to herself by tying a blush pink scarf over her neck. Her pink hair

knee, and Savannah noticed it was all bloody and swollen.

knee cap was broken, which would require some healing

a large old tree branch. She took it

you out. Use your healthy leg to

girl asked but accepted the help

out, and Petra collapsed

pain

gave my word to Evelyn.” The princess explained, turning her to her back. “You have a

smile. “She is like

at the knee and started checking it quickly. Her prediction was correct. The knee cap was in pieces, and it would require a few

to stay strong to the best of