Page 65 of Luna Trials
The phone rang with an incoming call and I was confused to see the unknown number. Even more confusing was the connection made to Holton Prison.
“How are you calling me this late?” I asked.
“Bishop worked his magic on the guards and we got to stream the premiere,” Clara yelled, trying to be heard over the commotion in the back. “You were amazing. I can’t believe how pretty you looked during your interview and you killed it at the hospital.”
“I didn’t kill anything.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What’s going on over there?”
“It’s just these stupid beasts who can’t wait their turn in line,” Clara growled, still yelling into the phone. “Alpha Derek is letting us call in our votes. Would you shut the fuck up? I’m talking to Aspen!”
The noise grew louder, catcalls and whistles sounded in the background, as the inmates shouted my name.
I pulled my cellphone away from my ear. “He’s letting you vote?”
“Why wouldn’t he? Every other pack will be calling in to support their Lunas.”
“But you’re not really pack.” Tiny ninjas must have been cutting onions in my room because my eyes misted with tears.
“Girl, I’m better than the pack you were born too,” Clara spoke the truth. “I’ve got to go. Doris is going to shank me if she can’t get her phone call in.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Clara laughed. “You can thank me when you win.”
*
“Please tell me you haven’t been crying.” Jesse dabbed some sort of gel under my eyes.
“I haven’t been crying.” I cringed at the smell of the lie.
“Good. I can’t have my star getting all emotional tonight. But just in case, we’ll use waterproof mascara.”
I stared at his reflection while he worked, wondering how close this new relationship was. Could I ask him more questions? Tell him my fears? Or was this strictly business?
Before I could come to a decision, Jesse shoved me out of the chair. “Knock ‘em dead.”
The convention center had been transformed into a recording room. The stage was larger andbleacher-like seats lined the back portion of it. Spotlights beamed down on the center of the stage. The seats in the rest of the room were darkened where the Alphas sat watching the show.
“It’s Jay,” someone whispered as we stood in line behind the curtains getting our microphones adjusted and waiting to be shuffled out.
I stood on my tiptoes to get a better look.
On stage were some makeup artists hovering around a wolf shifter who was well past his prime. He didn’t look it though, not with his shiny blue three-piece suit and dyed blond hair.
Nerves churned in my gut.
That wastheJay Renfro.
The movie star and famed show host.
My papa was going to freak out.
“Good luck, ladies,” one of the assistants pulled the curtains to the side.
Luck. I needed luck.
“Let’s hope we don’t get booted for our stunt.” Fallon nudged my shoulder as she took her place in line.
Oh, hell. I’d almost forgotten about that. Would Fallon and Edith be sent home too for shifting at the hospital with me? I’d blame myself forever if they did.