Page 102 of Luna Trials
“Opal was poisoned.”
“Poisoned?” I cried. “With what?”
“Silver toxicity. We’re assuming the flakes were in the sprinkles.” Molly glanced at the wolf shifter guard again, asking me, “Did you have anything to do with that?”
“No.” A lump tightened in my throat. “She is my friend. I wouldn’t have hurt her.”
The shifter shook his head and Molly looked to the lawyer sitting at the table who was scribbling something on a page.
“Do you want to explain why you’re blaming me?” It wasn’t a question I would have asked in my pack, knowing it wouldn’t get me anywhere. But I hated this. I’d done so much to protect Opal and now I was accused of hurting her.
“You’re the one with prison connections and would know how to do this sort of thing.” Molly’s eyes narrowed. “And we are well aware of your stylists’ competition with each other. Plus, that delivery was intended for you. You have to understand how we would connect these dots.”
“I didn’t do anything.” I couldn’t help the growl that slipped out. “What about Cindy? She was the one who attacked her and made threats.”
“Thisattackif you could call it that seemed to be directed at you.” Molly watched me as if I was the one with the answers. “I already had the security team look into Cindy. She was vetted and doesn’t know anything about this situation.”
If it wasn’t Cindy, then who? I didn’t know because I hardly knew any of the other women here. “Opal was kind to me. She isn’t like the rest of thecandidates and I would have done anything to protect her.”
Molly looked at the shifter.
He nodded again.
“Very well.” Molly glanced at the page the lawyer slid over to her. “Which brings me to our next situation. You aren’t exactly like the other candidates either.”
“How so?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“Don’t get me wrong, you’ve managed to capture the heart of the viewers until you lost them, but the Luna Trials is only a small part of the show. I’m not sure you or your Alpha contestant have what it takes to give us the umphMating Seasonis known for.”
Something cold snaked its way down my spine. “Why are you talking about ratings when Opal is on her way to the hospital?”
Molly’s smile wasn’t kind. “This is how show business works. We have an opportunity here and need to take advantage of it.”
“I’m not following.”
“You wouldn’t, but that’s okay.” She looked down her nose at me. “Everyone loves a Cinderella story, but those are a dime a dozen. You’ve been great for rankings until you weren’t and Trenton is barely getting noticed. I don’t think he has the personality to cut it onMating Season. And to be honest, you leaving is for the best. We don’t know who targeted you with the delivery and it will be hard to keep you safe. So here’s what we’re thinking…”
Molly’s voice trailed off as she looked to the numbers the lawyers were busy writing down.
I sat there, stunned, and trying to figure out how I was so close to the end of the trials just to watch them be ripped away. And it wasn’t only me. They were talking about sending Trenton home too.
Alpha Derek would never forgive me.
He’d never sign the release.
“We can spin the story and have you take the blame for Opal’s situation. The producers are willing to offer you double your base pay plus the bonus incentive for a grand finale explosion tonight. We’ll have one of the other contestants confront you and all you have to do is admit that Opal was a threat so you took her out. Then you and Trenton can go home and live your lives in peace.” Molly slid me the page with the total amount.
I stared at the number until it blurred. It was already so much more than I had in my bank account. “You want me to say I hurt my friend?”
“It’s only a little plot twist for the show. Viewers love the unexpected.” Molly offered a sympathetic shrug. Like she actually cared. “We all can see you don’t want to be here anyway. It’s a dating show. You don’t flirt or cause drama or even interact with the Alphas. Take the money and go home.”
I thought about it. I really did. But all the money in the world wasn’t worth my pride. I shoved the paper back across the desk. “I’m not going to lie and say I hurt Opal.”
And I definitely wasn’t going to take the fall for whoever did. Someone meant to harm me and I wasn’t tucking tail on that. I’d find them myself if I had to, make them pay for what they did.
Molly groaned, motioning to the lawyer. He started writing another number down.
“Stop.” I put my hands on the table. “I’m not stupid. You want more drama. Let me help you with that. What do you need for Trenton and me to stay on the show?”