Page 76 of Luna Trials

I needed to know how to keep myself safe.

I trusted my wolf’s instincts as we ran, leaning back into my own thoughts.IfI passed the Luna Trials and helped Trenton through the Alpha Games, then I’d need to get closer to the distant landscape and map out the best spots to set up a good defense.

My wolf growled, yanking me back to her senses and urging me to pay attention to something more important than our future survival.

Our ears twitched, picking up the sound of voices. It was Opal’s soft pitch that carried on the night wind.

I took full control of my body and picked up the pace. I’d been meaning to talk to Opal after the situation with Cindy the other day and the little Omega was hard to find when she wanted to stay hidden.

Another voice, one deep and masculine that would probably haunt my dreams for the rest of my life, stopped me in my tracks.

My fangs extended and my wolf kept growling as if someone was in our territory. Which was crazy.

I slowly crept forward, coming to the nearest tree, and peered around it down to where the path ended at the stone benches near the smaller fountain in the garden.

The weak moonlight caught the shimmer of Opal’s jet-black hair as she leaned back on her elbows, kicking her feet in the water.

She wasn’t alone.

Trenton stood to the side with his hands in his pockets, mesmerized by what Opal was saying. I hadn’t seen him look like that… Ever. Beside her on the fountain ledge sat Chad. He was laughing and leaning closer, trying to tease another smile out of the Omega.

But that wasn’t why I was hiding on the trail like a creeper and peering through the branches.

I could have sworn I heardhisvoice. Though I was probably delusional, again. I couldn’t see him, but I could sense him. Ranger was there. I knew it. Some part of me had to know if he was swept up in whatever sweet spell Opal was casting at the fountain.

It’s not like I really cared or anything. Heck, maybe laughing would loosen the stick in his ass a little bit. I had no claim on him. He was free to do whatever he wanted.

I stepped around the trunk of the tree, trying to get a better view as my wolf continued to growl her territorial nonsense.

A branch snapped on the ground behind me and I jumped, spinning to collide with a solid chest of muscle.

We had to stop meeting like this.

“I didn’t take you for a spy.”

“I wasn’t spying,” I shrieked, wanting to smack my palm against my face.Real smooth, Aspen.

“What do you call peeking through the trees while trying not to make any noise then?” Ranger’s lips twitched as he tried not to smile.

“I call it minding my own business. Like you should be doing.” Admittedly, not my best comeback.

“I can assure you, I’m very adept at minding my own business.” His grin turned wicked as he backed me towards the tree. “Would you care for a demonstration?”

My heart was racing and my head was spinning as the intensity of his pheromones surrounded me. It was hard to think with him this close, wrapped in his intoxicating scent.

I ducked under a branch, moving behind him and he growled as he turned to follow my awkward little dance.

“No. Thank you.”

“There’s that word again.” He smirked. “It’s still a no?”

“Yes.” I nodded earnestly, trying to get the fresh air to wash his masculine smell from my nose.

“Yes?” He cocked his head to the side.

“No!” I cried.

Ranger dragged his hand over his face as if I were the frustrating one. “Are you going to tell me what you want soon, love? Or am I going to have to drag it out of you?”

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