The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

I Am North

“Hey there, Princess,” Bjorn’s voice echoed through the pit’s silver walls, and Savannah looked up to see his red eyes gleaming in the darkness, “Looks like you need a hand.”

She stood up. There was no way she’d be sitting defeated at a moment like this. Besides, this was precisely what she and Kai expected and even planned for. After hours and hours of discussing everything back in the cabin, they came to the conclusion that Bjorn would be seeking to meet her again.

The question was where and when. However, it became obvious after it was decided that Savvy

would compete in the next Luna Trials challenge. It was the perfect place to contact her since the white

bears’ lands bordered the Forbidden Forest.

“Are you willing to help me just like that?” She looked at Bjorn with a raised brow.

“I never said that. Everything has its price.” The man chuckled and sat next to the edge of the pit so

that he could observe her better. He liked the sight of the Western Princess beneath him. “I am not sure ! am going to help you at all if I am completely honest. At least not in the way you want me to help

you.”

“Then why are you here?” She folded her arms on her chest and met his gaze defiantly, “TO

gloat?

“I guess I am… intrigued.” His gaze travelled up and down her body way too slowly for it to be innocent, and Savannah swallowed a lump that formed in her throat.

“Intrigued with what?”

“With you, Princess.” A vague smile touched his lips. “I was sure you would slap that jerk and leave this country for good after what he did to you. This kind of humiliation was… too much, don’t you

think?”

“Was I supposed to run back and lose the chance for an alliance both our countries needed so much to fight against you?” She rolled her eyes and added sarcastically, “Please!”

“So, you know who I am,” he smirked.

“It’s not like you’ve been hiding that, right?” Savvy snorted loudly. His smugness was too much, but it could be for the best. After all, he was helping her to drag the conversation himself.

“I guess not,” he admitted easily. “Still, i am not that famous compared to the North Star and the great Lycan King of the West.”

“Don’t be shy! The White Bear King is quickly gaining quite the reputation. All your work here doesn’t

to unnoticedi”

“It’s an honour for me to be noticed by you, Princess.” His lips curved into a sly smile, and Savannah just hoped that Kal’s warriors were on their way. Helping to catch the White Bear King would automatically mean winning the lavour of the Northerners. This was a chance of a lifetime. Not to

mention that it could potentially put an end to this war.

She couldn’t do it alone and not from this pit, though. Gideon arrived at the worst time, and Kai was dealing with him now. Otherwise, it would be a done deal. With Kai’s ability to do something she never could control his third lycan form- he could submit Bjorn in battle. This was something that others couldn’t do. But maybe it would be possible if there were many warriors against him.

“Why do you seek contact with me?” She decided to prolong the conversation, playing for time.

“Isn’t it obvious?” His red eye gleamed again.

“I prefer to hear things clearly and not think of the double meanings so that I don’t misunderstand anything. So, is the White Bear King brave enough to answer my question?”

“Is the Lycan Princess brave enough to hear my answer?” He teased, enjoying their little game. “I think I can manage!” Savannah chuckled, masking her nervousness with fake confidence.

“Then you can hear it next time.” Bjorn stood up. The amused expression on his face changed to that one of indignation. “I see you’ve been waiting for me, Princess. You’ve prepared and even managed to call for help somehow.”

“What do you mean?” Savvy tried to pretend she didn’t know about anything, even though acting was never her strongest gift. She was surprised that he already knew about approaching warriors as she couldn’t hear or sense anyone close yet. Just how was he doing that? She was a royal lycan, for Moon Goddess’ sake! Yes, she was in a silver pit, which had its effects on her, but it didn’t affect her the way it would a simple werewolf. What was wrong with this bear?

“You don’t have to pretend with me,” Darius Bjorn sneered at her. “I like that you set up a trap for me. I was angry that you didn’t appreciate my gift, but I like a good challenge. My next gift will be better, I swear. I like that you stayed to fight, and I like that you thought you could win against me. It’s… refreshing.”

“So, I take it as you like me?” Sawy scoffed, hugging herself uncontrollably. This confession gave her chills and not the best kind.

“Like?” Bjorn let out a low chesty laugh. “No, that’s not how I’d say it.” He calmed down and then looked straight at her with a predator’s gaze. “I want you.”

lips parted. She didn’t expect such a

didn’t move, staring at her from the

that made her shiver. “When a white bear chooses

never lets it go.”

but it seemed to only make his grin

this way.

“You are Queen material. And it just so happens that

yourself in the middle of the Luna Trials, then!”

are ready to kill to become a

about taking Elene as my wife once

peculiar far away. “I thought that once I kill Kai and

the North will accept me. But you know what I learned over the years, Savannah?” His gaze met hers

earned my right. Once the Lycan King is dead, there will

need to have Elene by my side to rule the North.

she loved dead and built his plans based on that. Elene had a lucky escape there, though, not being his

leaves me with an opportunity to pick my future queen based on my personal preferences.” Bjorn didn’t look like he was in any kind of rush, even though Savannah could now feel approaching

worked, after

me doesn’t have anything to do

the Western Lycan Kings?” She snickered, trying to stall him again.

did not go unnoticed.

smirked, looking down at her. “I didn’t recognise you the first

met, but I knew I

on instinct but had

of the

you, and I like to play games. I love that you are feisty, my woman cannot be anything

although she felt like swearing. Now that her photographic memory wasn’t a secret anymore, the little advantage she had

about you, it would be fair to share something about me.” Amenacing smile touched the corners of the white

a white, and now She was sure he wouldn’t be able to escape the warriors. It was too late, but thenhe touched his temple and sneered at her Plercing pain rippled through her

silver wall lor balance

to her again! Just how many times would she have to suffer Thanks to that man? When she saw him nent,

is that even

for too long to lose now!” The white bear’s confidence was through the roof; she would

predicament.

a bitter laugh; her whole body was aching now, “Admit it, Darius,” she used his first name on purpose, knowing this wasn’t how he liked to be called, “you know that if you two meet in battle, you will lose despite whatever enhancements you’ve done to yourself! You are always on the run. I wouldn’t call

smug expression was wiped from his face, and she noticed him clenching his

had hit the target.

just a few minutes so that you

She chuckled through the pain. “I think

a howl nearby. The howl that meant it was a minute until the warrior lycans

could finally fall down to her knees and writhe

and Savannah looked up to

face.

exhaled heavily. “I’ll get you out!” “No!” she furrowed her brows and hissed.

Lachlan grunted, “You are my future Luna, and I can’t leave

to stand up, knowing that her moment of weakness was over. She was a Western Lycan Princess and the future Luna of the North! She couldn’t afford to lie down and feel sorry for herself even if the world was falling apart. She wasn’t new to this kind of pain and could easily handle it! Because giving up

bear!” she commanded but still saw the Beta hesitating, “Now!” she roared, noticing

Lachlan bowed respectfully, a little smile playing on his

heard the receding steps of the warriors,

had fallen so low as to have s*x on someone’s command. Then again, it was possible he simply

didn’t matter much to her, though. She had her own problem now as

but she could still use her body

walls were made of silver and bronze to be able to trap both – Wolves and bears, but they weren’t the

impact. She hit it again and again, ignoring the

a few tactical dents and used them to climb higher on the wall. She was hitting it repeatedly, creating new places to help her and slowly moving

and even Athena inside her did her best to block most

edge and paused, taking a deep breath before the final push.

to getting herself out.

voice and winced when she saw Astrid standing before her. Could this

knowing that another fall was near. Would Astrid