Page 46 of Luna Trials
Stef’s heels dug into the plush carpet as she marched over and handed him the paper. “She’s perfect for this.”
Trenton read it over and glanced up at me. “You don’t want to go to the children’s hospital and visit sick kids?”
How do you answer something like that without sounding like a total dick?
“But, puppies.” I clung to my page.
“I’ll take photos for you.” Stef’s smile was sugary sweet as she plucked the paper from my hand.
“Good. Now that’s settled.” Trenton ripped into the bag. The tearing echoed like the sound of my fluff-filled dreams being pulled away. “Our first sponsor sent you girls some shirts.”
*
It didn’t matter to me what clothes I wore, but I took a sick sense of pleasure in watching Stef pout. She ended up using her claws to rip the neckline of the “Jim’s Big Garage” t-shirt so it exposed a little cleavage.
I wasn’t sure if she’d read the back that said, “No matter the size, it’ll fit,” but I couldn’t stop laughing like I was a twelve-year-old boy.
“Shut up,” she growled as we pushed open the doors to the cafeteria.
The Alpha pheromones that seemed to come with each meal had faded, replaced with the eager scent of female motivation. There were smiles and giggles everywhere. I eyed the women cautiously. A few hours ago, it was every shifter for herself as they raced to their assignments. Now they batted eyelashes and spoke softly to the camera teams making the rounds around the room.
“Tits up,” Stef reminded me.
I chuckled as she pressed out her chest and the monster truck on the back of her shirt shrank a bit under the slogan.Oh Jim.
A rush of relief went through me when I saw who was sitting at the table with my non-puppy assignment placement card to the children’s hospital.
“Are you with us?” Fallon asked.
“Looks like it.” I took a seat.
Fallon arched an eyebrow. “Big Jim’s Garage?”
“Don’t ask.” I laughed.
Edith looked up from her phone and gave me a tentative smile. “How did you manage to land this detail? Pure luck?”
I thought that was the point of handing out the assignments in the convention room this morning, but maybe I missed something in the frenzy. “Honestly, Stef drew it. She wanted to trade with me.”
“Pure luck then.” Fallon nodded. “It was meant to be.”
“Huh?” It was starting to bother me that everyone seemed to know something I didn’t despite the fact that I was feeling more confident here.
Edith stared at me, searching for something, and then sighed. “The children’s hospital is prime filming location. Contestants would kill for this gig.”
I had to assume she was joking, though the mad rush earlier had me rethinking things. “Well, I guess I can thank Stef for getting me in.”
“Yes. Let’s thank her.” Fallon winked.
I smiled awkwardly, looking to the side as the smell of fresh spun cotton candy teased my nose. The woman from the basement storage room yesterday moved quietly and stood by the table. Goddess, herscent was sweet. It reminded me of that one time the fair broke down on their way past Nuva Pack and we got vendor food at a discount.
“Hi. I never caught your name.” I extended my hand to shake hers. “Are you coming to the hospital too?”
“Yes. I’m Opal.” She moved her silky black hair over her shoulder, fussing with the strands and staring at my hand a little too long before she took it. “And you’re Aspen.”
“I sure am. This is Fallon and Edith.” I glanced over to see them staring at me strangely.What did I do now?
She smells good.My wolf sighed.