Chapter 14
I fidgeted nervously as the stage assistant guided Noah and me through the bustling backstage area, leading us toward the other contestants. The cacophony of noise was almost overwhelming. The games were to be held on a large, flat athletic field, and all contestants were required to wear athletic gear. The thought made my stomach churn; I wasn't in the best shape, not with my anorexia and the pregnancy. But I had to perform well. This was the impromptu couples competition that would determine which pack hosted the Lunar Festival.
"You ready for this?" Noah's gruff voice startled me. I glanced up to find him watching me with an inscrutable expression. I opened my mouth to offer a witty retort, but the words died on my tongue as movement caught my eye. My steps faltered as I recognized two figures crossing the field toward us.
"Drake? Zoe?" I muttered, turning.
Indeed, the tall, muscular form of Alpha Drake, striding alongside the petite blonde Luna Zoe, was unmistakable. They were here, dressed to compete. But why? Drake was on the Alpha Council, ineligible to host the Lunar Festival. Council members—rotating annually to prevent the same Alphas from dominating decisions—were barred from competing. That was the established rule, and it had been so… forever. So, why were they here, numbers on their shirts and all?
"Are they competing?" Noah asked, mirroring my confusion.
"I don't know," I replied, plastering on my award-winning smile and waving. Drake easily returned the smile, while Zoe managed only a stiff nod.
"Luna Hannah," Drake said, nodding politely as he stopped before us. He turned to Noah, his smile faltering slightly. "Alpha Noah."
"Drake." Noah's tone was icy.
I turned to Zoe. "Zoe, it's so nice to see you. I was hoping to speak with you."
She shrugged. "Not at all."
Without waiting for Drake's protest, I looped my arm through Zoe's and pulled her away, weaving through the equipment and clothing racks until we found some privacy.
"Zoe, what's going on?" I asked directly. "Why are you and Drake here? I didn't think Drake could compete, and you… well, you're part of Nightcrest now."
She sighed, her lips drooping. "I didn't want to do this, trust me," she said, glancing at Noah and Drake, who were engaged in a tense conversation. "But…"
"But what?"
"Adam found out about the competition and got so excited." She shook her head, biting her lip. "You know how kids are—he was thrilled at the prospect of his mommy and daddy being TV stars for a day. He begged me to do it."
"And you couldn't say no to your son," I finished.
Zoe offered a thin smile. "Exactly."
My unspoken question remained. Zoe, however, seemed to anticipate it. "I know what you're thinking. And… no, Drake isn't competing to host the Lunar Festival. Neither am I."
"So what are you doing?"
She shrugged. "Who knows? I think his aunt insisted. I didn't bother to get the details."
Understanding dawned. It all made sense. Luna Alanna, the Luna Queen, adored Drake. Since her daughter's death years ago, she hadn't had another child, but she treated Drake as her own son. And perhaps…
"Zoe, you don't think the Luna Queen wanted you and Drake to compete together so you could…" My voice trailed off. Zoe sighed, understanding my implication: the Luna Queen orchestrated this to force them together.