Page 69 of Midnight Moon
Late last night, long after Stephanie and I had said goodnight, my best friend knocked on my cabin door. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she confirmed that she spoke with Chase. He and Asher had agreed to lose game three and four.
I could hardly believe it.
In fact, I didn’t believe it.
I walked into the third game, fully expecting the Wilds shifters not to follow through with their promise, but the Wilds Pack didn’t even place second or third. They earned zero points in the game.
After Alpha Kurt announced the end of the game, I’d tried to go over and speak with Chase and Asher. I wanted to thank them, and I also wanted to ask them if they’d made any progress on identifying the person behind the attacks.
But the moment I got within ten feet of either male, they would scatter.
After the third time, I knew the Wilds shifters were avoiding me.
I didn’t know why they didn’t want to talk to me. For some reason, I got the feeling they were mad at me, but I wasn’t sure what I’d done.
“I need some air,” I told the room, interrupting their joyful chatter.
Their voices died down.
I climbed out of the massive chair I’d sunken into and gave the room a reassuring smile. “Don’t mind me. I’ll be back in ten.” I moved to the door and pulled my jacket off the wooden coat rack.
“Want me to go with you?” Hunter appeared next to me. Today’s victory had cured him of his desire to act like I didn’t exist.
“I’m good.”
His smile fell.
I quickly added, “It’s been a busy day, and I could use some alone time.” That wasn’t a complete lie. I had a lot on my mind, and it was impossible to think while surrounded by my celebrating pack members.
“Enjoy,” Stephanie called out, intervening before her brother could insist he join me.
“Don’t stray far from the lit paths,” my father added.
I gave a quick nod. “I won’t.”
For the first time since I was almost attacked by the rabid shifter, I was glad my father didn’t know about it. I doubt I’d be let out of the cabin alone, even in broad daylight, if he did.
I shrugged on my jacket. With a final wave to my pack, I stepped outside. Through the door, I heard their boisterous conversation resume.
My shoulders slumped. I finally felt like I could take a breath.
Everyone was proud of our victory today, but it was just one win. Their celebration almost felt like an insult—like none of them thought I was capable, despite how hard I’d worked to prepare for the Alpha Games all these years.
I took the path that led to the park where I’d seen children play during the day.
A pair of teenagers sat on the swings, holding hands as they chatted the night away and swayed forward and backward. They didn’t notice me as I walked by.
A sigh escaped me.
I never did that.
My entire adolescence, I focused on proving myself worthy of becoming alpha. I didn’t have time for much else.
I never had a boyfriend, and my only true friend was Stephanie. In moments of weakness, I wondered if I’d made a mistake.
What if, by some horrible turn of events, my pack didn’t accept me as alpha?
Taking on my father’s role was, literally, all I’d hoped for in life. What would happen to me if I didn’t get it? What would my life be like?
