Where was it coming from, and how could I get it to stay forever? ***
“Shade, clean this up when you’ve finished,” Sunny commanded as she jumped up from her chair. “I believe I saw Alpha Caelan pass by on his way toward the garden a couple of minutes ago. Join us when you’re done.”
I nodded, waiting for her to leave before taking a seat. I ate, keeping my gaze focused on my plate.
“You’re Shade, right?” a bright voice asked.
I glanced toward the other side of the table to find the she-wolves that had been studiously ignoring Sunny suddenly watching me as I enjoyed my breakfast. I nodded, careful to keep my eyes down as I bit into another piece of fruit.
“Nice to meet you,” she continued. “I’m Briggita. These are my friends, Zia and Alma.”
I recognized the name.
Isn’t that one of the other finalists? Why would she want to talk to me? Perhaps she also wants to figure out a way to use me for her own advantage? I can’t think of why else she’d socialize with me.
“Nice to meet you,” I replied.
She slid around the table, taking a seat closer to me.
“So, are you excited about the choosing?” she asked. “Being a finalist is a big deal.”
I stared at her chin.What am I supposed to say? Not really, I’m not sure what your alpha is thinking, and I’m probably just a seat filler.
I swallowed my bite and shrugged nonchalantly.
“Alpha Caelan seemed quite interested in you,” she teased. “We were just talking about that, weren’t we girls? How he couldn’t seem to get enough of your scent at the party last night.”
I shook my head, feeling my cheeks warm at her insinuation. “No, he was just bothered by it. I’m an omega. He was probably shocked they bothered presenting me at all.”
“Hush, now!” Briggita exclaimed. “I didn’t see him kiss anyone else’s hand.”
“That’s true,” one of her friends interjected. “Only you.”
I took a drink of water, trying to figure out why they were talking to me. Briggita was a finalist. Surely, she wanted to become the luna. Was this some strangely kind way of telling me that I didn’t belong?
“Just so you know,” she remarked casually. “I’m rooting for you.”
I forgot myself, my eyes flicking to hers briefly before I quickly corrected my gaze. But what I saw in them only confused me further. She was either really good at masking her emotions or being truthful. I wasn’t sure which worried me more.
“W-why?” I finally managed.
“Well,” she giggled. “I know I’m not going to win. Caelan and I already tried dating a long time ago. It didn’t work out, and we both agreed that we were better off as friends.”
Why would the alpha waste a spot on someone he didn’t actually want as a mate?I scoffed.Then again, he also picked me, so what do I know?
“I only participated in the choosing because my mother insisted on it. ‘It’s tradition.’” She rolled her eyes. “And I’d never want Deianira or Talulla to become our next luna. They’re both power-hungry snobs.”
“Yeah. No thank you,” one of her friends added, causing the three of them to break out into a fit of laughter.
“And the other girl from your pack…Sunny… Well, from what I’ve seen, I doubt she’s in the running,” Briggita explained once they calmed down. “Caelan doesn’t really go for that type. Plus, after seeing how he reacted to you, I think you have the best chance.”
“Definitely,” both of the other girls agreed.
“Uh, thanks,” I mumbled awkwardly. “But I doubt he’s interested in me. I could never be luna.”
The fact that these girls thought I had a chance as the alpha’s mate seemed perfectly laughable. I couldn’t lead a pack. I was an omega. That was my place in the pack. I’d never let myself even consider anything else.
“Hello, ladies,” Taffy’s familiar voice called.
