Page 104 of Luna Trials
Aspen
Trenton and I stood in line on the red carpet waiting our turn to be filmed for the entrance. I could sense Ranger somewhere behind us, feel his dominant power tugging the fine hairs of the back of my neck, but I refused to turn around. No one was talking to us anyway. It seemed the rumor mill was already churning. I bit the inside of my cheek, drawing blood.
Somehow, I managed to walk gracefully into the convention center which had once again been transformed. Opulent chandeliers hung suspended from the rafters and a ballroom floor of marble had been erected over the past few days. Tables with white linen lined the outside of the dance floor with candles burning low in glass vases. Potted roses in full bloom decorated the darkened corners and a full bar sat at the back wall.
The cameras were rolling.
Trenton’s wolf was vibrating just under his skin as I stood on my toes to press my lips against his cheek for the photo op. He left, heading to the bar, as I found my labeled table among the twenty-three of them. There should have been twenty-four. Only three of us would be going home tomorrow since Opal was already gone.
Opal would have loved this.
Soft music played from a string quartet, low enough for the audio team to pick up the conversations from the microphones attached to our evening wear. Everyone looked beautiful. Dressed to impress.
I took another deep breath, plastering a smile on my face. Fallon’s table was directly across the ballroom from mine. She stood elegantly in a violet dress with shimmering overlay and black boots, looking like a dark fairy princess. Something twisted in my heart, knowing I might not even be able to trust her.
Or any other candidate in this room.
One of them could be the reason Opal was lying in a hospital bed. And I’m not sure I would have eaten a cupcake, but that ultimately could have been me. Whether it was meant as a message or a real threat, I didn’t know. But I’d been so naive. So blind.
What I did know was that none of these candidates scared me. And I wasn’t going down without a fight.
Once the cameras finished filming the entrances and the candidates found their tables while the Alphas headed over to the bar, Jay Renfro took his place in the center of the ballroom. The lights dimmed lower as the spotlight shone on him.
“Welcome, viewers, to the final portion of the Luna Trials and tonight’s main event. The lovely candidates have one hour to engage with the Alphas to mingle and steal their hearts before the dancing begins. At the end of the night, all Alphas will marktheir choices for the top three Lunas to enterMating Season. But you, our voters, will have the final call on who makes it to the top twenty.”
There was a soft round of applause as the production assistant walked around with the cue card, telling us what to do. I clapped, not making a sound.
“Now I have the unfortunate job of letting you know that Opal from Morganton Pack will no longer be a candidate this season due to a terrible accident.”
Tears blurred my eyes at the mention of her name, but I held my chin high as camera two turned to film me.
“But the show must go on,” Jay picked up the tempo. “I know you’re all as excited as I am to see who wins our Alpha’s hearts tonight. Without further ado, I give you the Luna candidates from the 7thannualMating Season.”
The music started playing again as the cameras panned out and spread around the room. Jay made his way over to the bar. My eyes narrowed as I spotted Trenton off to one dark corner.
“Remember what I said. It’s time to act.”
“On it.”Trenton sipped his beer as he walked over to shake Jay’s hand. I could only hope he’d come up with a good conversation without me coaching him. Alpha Derek would be proud. I was actually going to help his son.
Just as soon as I passed these trials.
I let my gaze drift around the room, sizing up the Alphas that walked away from the bar with theirdrinks in hand. I caught the eye of Colton Penobscot and smiled demurely as he headed my way.
“You clean up real nice,” he teased in his northeastern accent as he handed me a flute of champagne.
“So do you.” I took a sip, looking him over slowly to show my appreciation.
He cleared his throat and thrust out his hand. “We haven’t gotten a chance to formally meet. I’m Colton.”
“Aspen.” I shook his hand as the cameras rounded my table. “Nice to meet you. What’s Maine like this time of year?”
“A mud pit.” Another Alpha joined us at my table. I struggled to place where he was from.
“Tucker Jones.” He smiled a dimpled grin that seemed right at home with his mess of curly blond hair. “From upstate New York.”
“Northeastern boys.” I laughed as the champagne bubbles danced on my tongue. “You two smell like trouble already.”
Colton ran a hand over his beard, circling me like prey. “You ever been up to Maine?”