The Luna Trials By Marissa Gilbert Novels & Stories

As soon as the call ended, my phone buzzed again—this time, an email. From: Lord Sterling Subject: Luna Trials – Formal Notice My jaw tightened as I read the words. Sterling was giving me advance notice out of “courtesy,” detailing exactly what Arianna would have to face if she turned out to be human. The Luna Trials. I skimmed through the details, my fingers gripping the phone tighter with every word. The Blood Moon Hunt – Arianna will be placed in an arena and must survive against feral rogue werewolves without my help. The Rite of the Forgotten – A vision-based test where she will be forced to relive her worst fears, including betrayals and suffering.

Seren Duncan came to my side immediately. “Lucian, Tristan, Blake—you’re with Seren. Get the pups and the rest of these trainees into the shelter. Julian, warriors, with me to the north border,” he bellowed. The warriors in the training group fell in quickly, their calm control keeping the rest from panicking. As the pups, teenagers, and new trainees looked towards me, I realized this was my first proper duty as Luna, and I was determined that I would not fail them. “Come on, follow us! The closest safe room is in the pack house. Let’s get you there.” I looked over the group that had gathered and assigned teenagers to help keep the pups in line, then led them to the pack house.

"I'd rather just live it than read about it." "Fair point." Despite everything, Aria laughed. It was small and wet, but it was real. Luna was quiet for a moment, processing. Aria could see her working through the information, sorting it, categorizing it the way Luna sorted everything—by what could be fixed now and what needed more time. "The Trial of Heart," Luna said. "You placed first. That's a victory, Aria. A real one." "It doesn't feel like a victory when everything else is on fire."

My name is Aria Nightshade. Daughter of Alpha Lucien Nightshade, the only heir to a bloodline that ruled long before I was born, the future of a pack I once believed I would lead. But that was before I chose love over everything I was meant to be. And this… this is the story of how I lost it all, and how I took it back. I remember the night everything began to fall apart. I was lying in Damon’s arms, my head resting against his chest as the steady rhythm of his heartbeat filled the quiet room. The curtains were drawn, allowing only thin strips of moonlight to spill across the bed, painting everything in soft silver.

And once that truth spread, Victoria's claim to the throne would crumble, for a kingdom built on strength could never accept a wolfless woman as its ruler. "Sweetheart, what do you mean by wolfless? And… Luna?" Dimitri asked, his face a mixture of disbelief and confusion. Raquel's lips trembled, but she pressed on, voice quivering. "Father… did you truly not know? Victoria was Luna of the Redmoon Pack for three years. And yet, in all that time, she never once shifted into her wolf form. Every time she was injured, she had to go to the clinic for bandages; her wolf couldn't even heal her. That can only mean… she doesn't have a wolf anymore."

I tasted the air, heart hammering as my wolf pushed harder, faster—calling out into the dark like the forest itself might answer. Where is my Luna? The thought hit me like a blow. “No,” I snarled aloud, skidding to a halt. “She isn’t.” She wasn’t my mate. She wasn’t my Luna. She was a mistake I had buried years ago. And yet—Selene. Her name burned through me, raw and undeniable. My wolf howled, grief and fury tangling in his voice as the truth I’d been fighting clawed its way to the surface. This pretense, this denial..it was over.

She said and pulled her out of the noisy hall even though she kept staggering due to how drunk she was and her right hand was trying to hold her steady. They entered a quiet room that wasn't too far and Luna closed the door before turning to her right hand. She took the bracelet from her and closed her eyes. She saw an image of a new born baby and she knew an alpha was born. He needed to be mated immediately, she smiled as she opened her eyes and staggered off to the chair in the room and sat down "an alpha has been born" she said and summoned on her right hand to come closer "get the destiny booklet"

But with her family by her side, she was ready to face whatever trials the future held, secure in the knowledge that together, they could overcome anything. As Luna embarked on her journey of mastering her magical abilities, she encountered a series of trials that tested her strength, courage, and resolve. Trial of the Elements: Luna's first trial involved mastering the elements of nature. Under the guidance of her parents, she ventured into the heart of the forest, where she faced tests representing each element—earth, air, fire, and water. She had to demonstrate her ability to control and manipulate these elements, using them to overcome obstacles and challenges along the way. For example,

She taunted me, all cocky. "If you've got the guts, try summoning the Moon Goddess's power on the blood moon night to take it back! Otherwise, I'll use your family's crappy old cauldron as a chamber pot!" I’ve had enough. I’m so sick of these ‘trials,’ and there’s no way in hell I’m mating with Ethan. ... Only two days left until the mating ceremony. I was rushing to make the full moon ritual potions for the pack when suddenly my alchemy circle went haywire. Moon energy raged around me.

“Kind of. I don’t know what will do, but –“ We’re interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and Laila and I both turn to see two Contestants approaching, the blonde and the stunning brunette who teased me in the bathroom last night. Anton growls and steps close to my side as I let my canines grow, just a little, to two tiny sharp points. Because I am a wolf, and there’s nothing cute about it. About time they knew it, too. “Hey Laila, Juniper,” the stunning one says, giving us a sultry grin. I tilt my head, wondering if she knows how to grin any other way, and also how she learned my name. “Looking forward to the Trial? I know I am.” Laila’s slim shoulders begin to shake as she looks down at the