Page 57 of Chasing Luna
“What’s the bidding for?” Kenji also comes from the side and languidly drapes his arm over me.
“Every time someone is crowned the Queen, the suppliers from all over town bid on their products to be chosen as the food, or the service, for the event,” I explain and his face scrunches in confusion.
“Wait, but that means the supplier pays your family for the rights to bring you food?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Well, yeah. First of all, we are royalty. It should be an honor for them to do this for us. Two, whoever wins is offered protection from anyone who tries to take over our territory and stake their claim over the land. And finally, if they win the bidding, they get first dibs on supplying for the rest of the town.” I shrug.
“It’s a one-time offering for a lifetime of comfort,” Eliza finishes the thought.
“That’s insane. You monopolize the economy in this small town?” Kenji shakes his head.
“It’s life. And it happens,” Katarina calls out to us three from behind. “You win some, you lose some. The pack also has family or friends inside and around town. They wait on the results too because this can potentially change someone’s life for the better, and chances like this are rare.” She sighs. “Alright!” Katarina yells to the crowd. “Settle down. I’ll announce the list in a bit once you all quiet down.” Immediately, the room goes silent and only Katarina’s footfalls can be heard as she makes her way to the front of the room. “The Queen is resting now, and she’s given me the opportunity to finally announce the winners of the bidding.” She clears her throat and starts listing names.
This is it. If Gregory’s pack doesn’t win in anything, we’re doomed.
I search for his familiar face somewhere, but I can’t seem to find him.
“Are you okay? You seem… rigid.” Kenji rubs my shoulder comfortingly.
“I’m not rigid. I just feel tired, that’s all.” I sigh. “Where’s Vera?” I ask, and it’s his turn to shrug.
“How should I know? As soon as we arrived back, she went straight to the house. She never even spoke a word to me the entire time. Is she always like that?” he asks.
“No. I told her not to talk to you. It’s nice to hear she did her task very well.” He pushes me away from him and I stifle a laugh.
“You’re evil,” he says, but he smiles as he does.
“What else do you expect? I’m an Esperanza. It’s in my blood to be bad.” I smirk, and divert my attention back to Katarina as she finishes the roll call.
“How are we supposed to know if Gregory’s pack won the bid?” Eliza whispers. I freeze.
Right, if they did join the bidding, they wouldn’t be as stupid as to use their real pack name. Or either of their real names, for that matter,I think to myself and shrug at Eliza.
“I guess he’ll know. I’ll ask him the next time I see him,” I whisper back. She nods as the crowd disperses around us.
“Well, dear sister. Your birthday is coming up, but I still don’t have a gift for you. What do you want for your birthday?” Katarina queries. She takes both of my hands in her hands.
Some peace and quiet away from you, murderer,I think bitterly, but force myself to act natural.
“Nothing, actually. I’m fine with whatever.” I squeeze out a smile and pray that it looks natural enough.
“Oh? Nothing? New weapons, maybe? Not even a lifetime supply of coffee?” She pouts and I fight the urge to punch her face in.
“Yeah, it’s already too much to even have a party. I just want… to have fun, on that day.” I sigh contentedly and scurry away from Katarina before she asks more questions.
Before I can even leave everyone behind to look for Vera, Katarina’s warm hands catch mine. “I also have something to say!” She holds me in place while the crowd stays to listen. She has this crazed look in her eyes as she looks around the crowd. “Ah! Grayson! Over here.” She motions for Gregory to come over. I look at him once he’s by my side and he looks just as confused as I am. “I called him over here to ask for your permission.”
Huh? The hell is she talking about?
“Um, what? Katarina, are you okay?” She nods and takes Gregory’s hand in hers.
“I know it’s a little sudden, but I just wanted to get this out into the open, and ask you in advance because I don’t know when I’m going to get the chance after you get the crown.” She’s smiley and giggling, and I immediately don’t like where this is going. I motion for her to continue. “Well, everyone,” she flits her gaze around and waits for everyone’s attention on her. “I’d like to announce that I’m getting mated to Grayson after Isabela’s birthday!” A cacophony of yells and protests ripple through the crowd.
What?I ask myself for the second time that night.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Nothing I’ve experienced in life can ever prepare me for what Katarina had just said.