Page 108 of Luna Trials

I did miss them. My gaze traveled around the small campsite with some of my roughest members the pack could spare. Having their scents around me soothed some of the tension from my beast, letting him know that there were more of us to protect Aspen if needed.

And I had no doubt it would be needed.

I turned back to the resort. “Did you decipher the handwriting yet?”

“We’ve got Reagan working on it.” Mattox fell in step beside me. “But it might be a few days. We’re going off checkmarks instead of actual writing. It’s going to be hard to prove the vote.”

“Give me your closest guess.” I pulled out my phone as it buzzed in my pocket. Ivan had wanted to talk to me about what went on in the conference room between Molly and Aspen yesterday, but we didn’t have a chance to sit down yet.

And now he was escorting her off the resort grounds. I didn’t like it. But I had my own team following the security the show assigned and I wasneeded here to reassure my pack that I hadn’t lost my damn mind. Which was debatable.

It wasn’t Ivan texting me though.

PITA:What about these?

An image popped up of some skimpy little bathing suits and I growled.

Ranger:If she wants them, buy them. But she isn’t wearing them here. Also, she needs some new shoes. The ones at the ball were killing her feet.

PITA:Okay… What about these?

I stared at the shoes, debating on if I should get Fallon involved or hire an outside opinion. They looked nice, but I worried the heels were too high.

“What do you think of these?” I showed Mattox.

“They’re shoes?” He blinked.

I think she needs boots.My wolf sighed.

You’re probably right.I started scrolling, looking for some the cat could order.

“Hey boss.” Mattox scratched his beard. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

38

Aspen

Papa:My girl is a winner!*kiss emoji* *kiss emoji* *kiss emoji* *kiss emoji*

I cringed.

Since when had he learned how to use emojis?

Aspen:No more show for you.

I turned off my phone and dropped it into my handbag, leaning back against the chair. Everyone and my papa had seen theMating Seasonkiss that was currently paused in high definition on the screen above the hospital bed.

Opal shook out the empty Jello cup as if she could get one more drop. “I’m so sad I missed the ball.”

“You didn’t miss much. It was mostly staged and it’s hard to cut loose in front of the cameras.” I tried not to look at the screen with the image on the TV of Ranger kissing me in the middle of the ballroom. It was everywhere. I could get free WIFI in the hospital, but I didn’t want to see all the pages blasting that kiss all over the internet. Jesse had already showed it to me. And now I knew why we weren’t allowed to watch the show during filming. Seeing the clips of myself made me self-conscious and nervous. I wasn’t the greatest actress.

That would have to change if I wanted to fulfill my bargain with Molly and keep Trenton on the show.

Thankfully, pack territory kept my papa safe from the press. Alpha Derek had given me his word to protect him from the reporters asking for interviews, as long as I kept mine.

Opal laid back on the hospital pillow. Her black hair fanned around the white linen and some pink had returned to her cheeks. “They said I could come back for next season and I don’t have to compete in the Luna Trials.”

“Do you want to come back?” Because if I had the choice to do this all over again, I’m not sure I would have made the same decisions.