Page 91 of Luna Trials
“Stefanie from Nuva Pack, please exit this way.”
“Wait!”I cried through our pack link, trying to hold her back a moment so I could make sense of what was happening.
“Save your pity.”Stef’s claws extended as she smacked away my hand. “I knew it.”
“Security,” Molly called out loud, speaking softly into her headset, “Camera three roll in.”
“Anything for the cameras.” There was pure hatred in her eyes as Stef glared at me. “You shouldn’t even be here. I’m the one who wants this. You took everything. Again. Trenton wasn’t enough for you. And now you get my rightful spot here too. I hope you get exactly what you deserve.”
Tears filled my eyes and I nodded, not even bothering to stop them from falling. She was right. I didn’t belong here. Even if three Alphas had voted for me.Three.The three votes I needed to stay.
“I’m leaving.” Stef held her chin high, gathering her dignity as she sidestepped the security guard and headed to the exit.
In shock, I watched her go. Of all the scenarios I’d imagined, I never saw this one coming. She should have played a bigger part. Gotten a chance to meet a mate. It might have been karma, but it didn’t feel like justice. It was icky. A dirty sense ofwrongwashed over me.
I barely heard the names of the next contestants who were called off stage and was vaguely aware that twenty-four of us were left. Only four more would be going home. Less than half of what we started with would remain. I couldn’t even remember who they all were.
What did that say about me?
“Congratulations contestants. You’ve made it to the final round,” Jay cheered like we’d already won.
“Cut,” the director yelled.
I was numb as I looked around, seeing those of us who were still here. Everyone was moving slowly with their heads down, distancing themselves from each other. I caught Opal’s eye and she climbed up to me from her spot on the bleachers.
“Are you okay?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at the line of females filing through the stage curtains.
I swallowed down my self-pity and nodded. “I’m fine. How are you? Cindy isn’t messing with you anymore, is she?”
“About that…” Opal chewed her bottom lip. “It’s probably safer for you to stay away from me.”
“I don’t care.” I rose to my feet. “This isn’t right.”
Her big eyes held such an old soul within them as Opal smiled at me. “It’s not about what is right. It’s about survival.”
*
When I got back to the hotel room, it was already empty. All of Stefanie’s stuff was gone. They didn’t give her a chance to say goodbye. It’s not like I was expecting a warm embrace from her, but the space felt too big now that I was truly alone.
My wolf sniffed, seeking out the scent of her packmate, and gave a soft little whine.
Ranger?she asked.
I sat on the sofa and pulled my knees to my chest.I don’t know.
Three unknown Alphas had voted for me, keeping me in the running, and Stef only had two. It didn’t seem fair. She was the one who wanted to be here.
And I was… A fraud.
The keycard hit the lock and I quickly dried my eyes.
“She’s really gone.” Trenton stood in the doorway with his hands in his pockets.
“Seems like it.” I held myself tighter.
“Isn’t that what you wanted?” He smirked. “I thought you hated each other.”
“Not like this.” I turned to look out the window.