Mating Season: Luna Trials novel · Chapter 13 of 24

Chapter 13: Cold Shoulder

The word hung over the ring.

Four million people had just heard it, and so had I.

I was still on my knees in the dirt, and the bond was still burning under my ribs.

"Let me say why," Rook said. His voice was rough.

"Say it fast."

"Hiram meant to hand you to Delphine in a van, the week of the finale."

"At night, with no trial and no cameras, and nobody to see you go."

"So you bought me a seat."

"I bought you the front door," he said. "A number, a name tag, a chance to run. And me beside you."

"Without asking me."

He flinched, and that was his whole answer.

"Two nights ago you promised you'd ask me," I said.

"I know."

"You had already done it. You promised with the money already spent."

"Juniper."

"Don't say my name like it's a favor."

Hiram clapped his hat against his thigh, slow.

"Heartbreaking," he said. "Now, Junie, I'm still waiting on my sentence."

The bond caught fire.

It was the order he had given me before Rook crossed the ring, and I had not obeyed it.

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