Page 21 of Luna Trials

Stef eyed me like it was my fault. I didn’t have the energy to return her glare. After the day we had, I needed a bed. Or even a blanket on the ground somewhere. My wolf and I weren’t picky.

I barely caught a glimpse of the reception area in the resort. The lights were dim in the antler chandelier hanging over the massive room with arched windows. A stone fireplace with embers burning was the focal point in front of black leather couches and chairs.

“Trenton, you’re on the first floor. The concierge will show you to your room. Girls, you’re up on the sixth floor.” Molly pressed the button forthe elevator. “Makeup and hair starts at nine in the morning. Breakfast begins in the buffet room at six. Your preliminary interviews will be in the afternoon. Here are your keys. Room 623. You two are fine bunking together, right?”

I didn’t have time to respond as Molly thrust the keycards into my hand.

Stef growled as the elevator door slid shut, grabbing one of the keys from me. I was dead on my feet and too tired to care. We were past nine o’clock and I was bound to be grumpy soon.

Thirty days and twenty-one hours.

Plus a $15,000 paycheck.

At least there was a silver lining.

*

When Molly said “bunking together,” I assumed she meant bunk beds and not this. It wasn’t even a normal hotel room–the kind with two queen beds and a single chair because only one occupant could sit at a time–this was a freaking apartment.

Our bags were waiting for us in the small dinette area with a table and chairs next to a minifridge and microwave. Down a step was a lower level with two small sofas and plush beige carpet. Two doors were on either side of the living room where the floor to ceiling windows overlooked the snow peaked mountains under the silver moon in the distance.

I stood there staring in a delirious haze while Stef rushed forward. She rubbed her hand over one of the sofas, marking her territory, and poked her head into both rooms.

“This one is mine,” she declared, standing by the door to the right as if I had the energy to fight.

“All yours.” I slung the strap of my duffle bag over my shoulder and lifted my gram’s trunk, checking to make sure it wasn’t damaged.

“Bring my suitcases over here.” She tapped her long pink plastic and glittery nails against her elbow. It must have been a while since she shifted last, because those nails wouldn’t still be intact.

Or maybe they would.

I chuckled to myself, picturing her white wolf running around with glitter claws.

“Is something wrong with you?” she snapped. “I said to bring me my bags.”

I was probably delusional, but I was too tired to care.

“Get your own bags.” I carried my stuff to the door on the left.

“In case you forgot, I’m–”

“Shut up, Stef. I’m exhausted. You don’t want to work as a team? Fine. We can work alone. But this isn’t Nuva territory or high school anymore. We both signed the contracts. That means we’re both in the running for a Luna position. I don’t have to take your “higher ranking” shit here and if you want to fight me about it, you know where I’ll be.”

I kicked the bedroom door closed behind me.

That felt amazing to say. I’d probably regret it in the morning, but it was totally worth it tonight.

Agreed.My wolf yawned.Now go to sleep.

I unlaced my sneakers and reached under my sweater to unhook my bra, falling face down on the king-sized bed. The blanket was softer than clouds and at least ten pillows of downy comfort surrounded me. This was heaven. My eyes drifted shut and the last sound I heard was Stef cussing as she dragged her suitcases into the other room.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad here after all.

8

Aspen

The sun was already peeking through the blinds of the patio when I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. There was a real balcony with doors that opened outside my bedroom. I stretched out my arms, practically hearing the fairy tale birds chirping of this new, lavish life.

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