The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

Chapter 52

Savannah tried to resist as they cuffed her wrists, not wishing to make things easy for the bears.

“Feisty!” One of the warriors chuckled as he managed to wrap the chains around her waist too. Silver usually did not have much effect on her, but today… today was a different day. And it seemed like there was no end to it.

She tried to break the chains just like back then, with Kai… but found it impossible now. One of the warriors pushed her, and she almost fell to the ground, but Bjorn caught her at the last moment, growling at his men.

“Careful! I need her in one piece!”

She gave him a withering glare. A promise that the second she regained her strength, she would end his life just like she had her mate’s. However, he only chuckled at that, confident as ever. His mood was getting better and better after he slaughtered everyone she cared about.

Brigit stood not far away from them with her hands crossed over her chest, watching the show and frowning. She wasn’t pleased with it, but she wasn’t exactly doing anything to help the Princess either.

Bjorn turned to give her a stern glance, “Make sure she looks presentable when we arrive. And take care of the twins. The cameras must be working at all times.”

Savannah looked around and found Chloe and Claude not far from them. The siblings were paler than usual, with their clothes and hair dishevelled. That sparkle they always had about themselves was gone entirely as they were cornered into submission. Their cameraman was right next to them, and the trio were surrounded by a group of fierce-looking warriors, ready to end them after one wrong move. Only Petra was still nowhere to be seen. Her crying couldn’t be heard now either.

Savvy’s train of thought was broken when someone pulled her chains back, much gentler this time. She didn’t mind, as it meant Bjorn’s hands were no longer on her.. He still had no clothes on and was about to shift when their eyes locked.

“Isn’t this exciting?” He purred.

“It will be when I get to kill you!” She hissed. The warriors around them cheered her on with excitement, enjoying their King and Queen’s banter. There was something wrong with those bears.

Just like the last time she saw him do it, Bjorn shifted into a huge snow-white beast in seconds. He was both magnificent and menacing, but she hated his guts with all her heart and soul, regardless.

His men led her to him, making her get onto his back while she tried to fight them

off.

The white bears’ leader roared, warning her. At the same moment, Brigit appeared at

her side.

“Listen,” she whispered, “he will find a way to make you do this either way. Why do you think they bothered to bring Petra? Disobey, and she will be paying the price!”

“I don’t care about Petra!” Savannah thundered, secretly hoping that this would help them both.

“Too late for that! You saved her in the Maze!” Brigit reminded her.

“It was a deal! Nothing more, nothing less!” The Princess lied through her teeth. She had a soft spot for Petra, but admitting it now would be a mistake. “The joke is on you! You shouldn’t have killed Riannon! I would have done anything for her and the baby! But Petra is no one to me!”

“Don’t say that!” Brigit grew grim. “They will test your words! And as I said, Petra will be the one to bear the consequences!”

“Why not you?” Savvy chuckled darkly. “We have known each other longer! I like you so much! Why don’t they test my stubbornness on you?!”

The she-bear lowered her gaze. “I will not apologise,” she breathed out.

“Even if you do, Aspen nor I would ever forgive you!” Savannah found herself to be this cruel for the first time in her life. Brigit flinched at her words, and her fingers trembled. She barely managed to hide them so that no one else could see her weakness.

One of the warriors yanked the chains on the other side, forcing Savannah to climb on Bjorn’s back; the other pushed her feet up from the ground. She hated them touching her. When she was up and where they wanted her, they surrounded her again, adjusting her shackles and ensuring she stayed exactly where they needed her.

now Bjorn was going to take her to his castle on his back while

done, Brigit undid her hair and adjusted her cape so that it was covering her restraints and saving her some

out an approving growl and started to move. Slowly, everyone else

her, and she wished all of this was a dream,

who claimed her as his

mountain chain that looked vacant at first. Savvy wondered if it was really necessary to try and show her off when no one was even around to see. However, she soon realised how wrong

one, she noticed other white bears in their beast forms lurking out on top of the hills. They were watching them, not taking

Dozens of them. Hundreds!

her and everything around them, while Claude and Chloe

stated dryly. Not a

even as her hands are tied,” Chloe chimed in right next to him, getting quiet as one of the

there were bears and people watching her from above.

where their kind

was his victory

nausea was getting worse, the stress of the day finally catching up with her. In

small cosy houses peppered on the tops of the white hills. An ice

walked for some time, Savannah wishing to simply switch off at this point, her body not listening to her anymore. She had trouble telling how long it all lasted and barely

were on top of a hill, and she saw something she didn’t expect. Below them was a castle built into a mountain. A work of a rough master, it was

Savannah didn’t even realise they got

The gates opened as soon as they reached

through her body, even though it had gotten slightly duller. But her soul was aching more. She wasn’t mourning yet. She

she didn’t know how to take this any

before them as Bjorn stood in the inner courtyard, still in his bear

to say something, and she looked him straight in the

feet.

both his hands. The Northern King knew what would happen once the divine weapon was removed. He could sense that this was the only thing holding him here in

Kai’s voice rasped

his voice void of any emotions. He had seen this way too many times before to feel

tighter around the spear. “I can’t… He… He took her… I… have to-”

the human world is so awful. The next one will

brought back some memories. He once begged for a chance with a woman he

him, and the woman he loved wasn’t-he still couldn’t pronounce her name. He prohibited

would help the wolf to accept his death faster. It wasn’t like he was in any kind of a rush, but for some reason, he wanted to be done here

everything. She needs me, and I- I can’t leave her. Not yet. Not… ever. She

to decide.” Last time. He would try

furrowed his brows, watching how the light of

that mate thing! Binding people together without them getting to know each other, giving them chances to hurt one another if they wanted to, making it next to impossible to break the bond- what could be more

she is my mate or not! This doesn’t matter! It never did! All I want is to be with her,

are up against! You are going to lose that war!” Fenrir cut him off,

life the best I could! The whole North worships you over everyone else! Help us!

that-” Fenrir admitted, feeling guilt rising inside of him. Something he didn’t feel in a while. He hated that emotion the most, along with

fight! Give us something, and then leave! Do

the pit of his stomach. He should have pulled that thing out now and forgotten any of this

him from

have approved

matter, though, because she was long gone. He would never see

side!” Kai growled, furious. He had the right to be mad, looking at the one who abandoned him