Chapter 2

The moment I finished, the Luna's hand froze in midair, bracelet and all.

The others traded glances. The silence was excruciating.

Damien stood abruptly, crossed to me, and crouched down, studying my face like it had become interesting.

The scent of cedar came off him.

In my previous life, I'd been drunk on that smell.

Now it just made me sick.

He picked up the moonstone and snapped his fingers twice in front of me.

His voice dropped low and smooth. "Watch closely. I'll only show you once."

The moonstone flared bright in his palm.

"Stop overthinking. Focus. Think about your connection to the moonlight."

He paused, then flashed me a grin. "Less about me."

The crowd broke into good-natured laughter.

I looked into those dark eyes of his, and the ache flared up again.

A wound I thought had healed was clawing itself open.

He was always like this, untouchable, the kind who loved to needle me in front of a crowd.

He liked to push me away, then watch me come crawling back with my head down.

It was almost a pity. One whole lifetime tangled up in him, and I was tired of it.

I didn't want to play this game anymore.

The Luna's voice pulled me out of the memory.

"Lucienne, that white fur of yours is proof enough."

"Don't be nervous. Try again."

Damien leaned in to my ear and murmured, "If you're really that nervous, try a drop of blood."

I stared at him. He was actually handing me the way to cheat.

But he didn't look at me again. He just stood and walked back to his seat.

I gritted my teeth and looked the Luna straight in the eye.

"Luna, there's no need. I already gave it everything. My blood just isn't pure."

The room went cold again.

The Luna's smile was barely holding. She didn't know what to do with me.

Just then a breathy, sweet little voice cut in.

"Luna, I'm so sorry I'm late."

I followed the voice. Heidi, from the Black Iron Pack.

A mess of mixed colors in her fur, but a pretty enough face.

She stuck her tongue out at Damien and pouted. "I overslept. Oops."

Damien only laughed it off and waved a hand. "You do need your beauty sleep."

The Luna frowned faintly. "The trial's over. You're late. Don't bother."

Everyone there could see the Luna didn't like Heidi.

She came from a minor pack, her blood wasn't pure either, and so no one spoke up for her.

Into the silence, Damien suddenly stood.

He brushed the dust off his robe and spoke up.

"Mother, why give Heidi such a hard time? Lucienne didn't do well either."

His eyes settled on me. A full three seconds passed before he finished, unhurried.

"Why not just let the two of them compete together?"