Page 82 of Luna Trials

Groaning, I rolled to my side and pulled my knees to my chest, still slightly paranoid that I was being watched. After what Molly said about the fight yesterday, I didn’t put it past the show to sneak cameras into our rooms.

My thoughts were too dirty to look at my phone and see if Papa texted me this morning. We’dchatted last night with him telling me how proud he was to see me on TV.

He definitely wouldn’t be proud if he knew what I was thinking of now.

I dragged myself out of bed and splashed some water on my face at the bathroom sink.

The nesting trial was today and I needed to get it together. That was probably the reason my head was all messed up. This was one of the dumbest things I’d ever had to do. It reminded me of middle school all over again when I’d sat red-faced through shifter sex education. They’d separated the genders, sending the boys to do Goddess-knows-what while the girls stayed in the classroom.

Granted, it was interesting to learn more about my body because the idea of asking Papa those kinds of questions was cringe.

But beyond the basic science of going into heat, mating, and the female need for comfort and den safety, I didn’t actually care about the practical application of a future nest. I wanted kids, but in that abstract someday way. And there’d never been someone I’d want to welcome into my nest.

Until now.

You know what? This is your fault.

I’d never been so at odds with my beast.

*

The cafeteria was blissfully quiet with no Alphas in sight as if they’d cleared out somewheresafe upon feeling the rise of female nesting hormones in the air. The Luna candidates that popped in for breakfast barely made eye contact with each other, choosing to eat and run.

“Are you ready for this?” Fallon poured coffee in a to-go cup, nodding at me as she took a sip.

“Not at all.” I laughed, dropping my tray in the bin.

“Good luck to us both then.” Fallon saluted.

*

“You have to smell this candle.” Stef shoved a jar of wax in my face as I walked into the hotel room.

I sneezed at the overpowering floral scent and took a step back when I saw the crazed look in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” She sniffed the candle deeply and a serene smile turned her lips.

“Let me smell that again.” I grabbed the jar from her hand. There were no chemicals or other poisons I could detect. Just soy wax, lavender, and maybe a hint of rose oil.

“Give it back.” She growled. “Get your own.”

I slowly handed over the candle.

At least I’m not the only one feeling strange.

“What are you standing around for anyway?” Stef twisted on the lid to the jar. “We only have three hours until it’s time to report to the nesting trial and you better not embarrass Nuva Pack with a sorry ass attempt at a nest like the one you made in 8thgrade.”

That was below the belt.

And you know what? Her candle stunk.

*

Don’t panic. It’s just a nest.

I closed the lid on my gram’s trunk and lifted the heavy wood box. I think I had everything I needed. In middle school, we had to design and take a photo of our nest for extra credit. It wasn’t much different than that.

Except this was on national television and everyone was going to judge our private spaces. But I guess we gave up those rights when we signed the contract.

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