Page 37 of Luna Trials

I am.My wolf pouted, pissed off at the world.

That made two of us.

This whole show was a joke. I knew that before I even signed my name on the contract. But I didn’t like being made the butt of that joke. I’d convinced myself when Jesse put me in new clothes and had done up my hair that maybe I would fit in. That it wouldn’t be so bad. Seeing all the support from the fans of the show might have done something to me too. Made me think I belonged here.

I was an idiot.

It was all about ratings for these people. The poor girl gets a makeover must have touched the right tropes. I was only a charity case. Sweet. Naive. Except they didn’t understand how things worked in myworld. The “sweet” wolves never got ahead. You had to be tough to survive. Which was why I had to take care of myself. I wasn’t going to mate with some wolf prince and live happily ever after. And I definitely wasn’t going to force some male to take care of me or die trying like my biological mother did.

I needed to remember why I was here. Pass the Luna Trials. Get Trenton through the Alpha Games. Take my money. Move somewhere safe with my papa where he could live out the rest of his life in peace and I could do the same.

I slowed my pace as the trail rounded back to the resort and put my hands on top of my head. A rabbit scurried across the path and I smiled.

He was a big one. Nice and fluffy. Maybe I could get some brochures while I was here. My papa might like Colorado. I could sniff around, see what the human/shifter territory negotiations for land was like. Fifteen thousand wouldn’t buy me property, but I did have some money saved up. And I could work.

Does being on this show have any employment perks?

I sure hoped so. My potential resume could say I wassweet.It was all over the internet so it must have been true.

The resort grounds were up ahead and I started to walk, seeing the sun set over the mountains in the distance beyond the wooded lot. A purple sky clashed with red clouds that faded to yellow over the peaks.

At least it was beautiful here. Too bad the trail was nothing more than a dog run sectioned off to herd me back to the resort.

Sneak off in the back.My wolf itched to be let free. I turned around at the concrete, intending to make another loop and look for a break in the forest where I could stash my clothes to let her run while still abiding by the rules.

Something heavy splashed in the pool. A wave of chlorinated water rushed under my shoes. Male laughter followed and I froze, feeling a tugging in my core that rooted me to the spot.

“Hey Aspen! Come join us.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Fallon. She was wearing a one-piece black bathing suit with strings that tied up the sides. Edith was with her, dressed in a blue polka dot bikini and followed by a slightly younger girl who I assumed was her sister Lilith wearing a striped blue bikini to match. They looked like supermodels as they took up loungers by the side of the pool.

More water rolled over the concrete under my shoes as black hair and broad shoulders broke the surface of the pool. Dark brown eyes locked on mine.

The air rushed from my lungs.

Ranger’s nostrils flared as his scent drifted toward me, the masculine fragrance causing my wolf to whine. I took a step forward and he continued to stare. The intensity of his eyes was drawing me in.

I shook my head, trying to break the spell, and took a step back. “I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”

Chad climbed to the diving board, looking over me like I’d spoken to him. “Come in naked.” He winked before he leapt. The water splashed with his cannon ball.

Ranger started growling as he pressed his palms flat on the concrete, lifting himself out of the pool. I wasn’t sure what I did to piss him off, but I took another step back.

“You don’t have to swim,” Fallon called out from her spot on the chair, waving a bottle in my direction.

Ranger kept walking toward me.

Water rolled from his bronzed skin and his tattoos were on full display. The curved wings of an eagle brushed over his ribs and disappeared behind his back. A cross sat on his shoulder. An intricate carving of swirls rose up to touch his collarbone.

I never knew tattoos could be so hot.

My knees grew weak as he came closer. I was caught in a predator’s gaze. And I hated myself for it. It was like my body refused to listen to me. I couldn’t force my feet to move. Some dumb reason that went against self-preservation was making me stand my ground.

He could plow me over.

I’d try to take him down with me though.

“Where’s your shirt?” he asked.

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