Chapter l446
The Luna Choosing Game
Chapter 0446
âShe told me Nicholas was the only one for her.â
My heart cracked down the middle, just as my stomach churned. I ached for Julianâs pain, while my wolf stirred within me, jealousy raging.
âIâm sorry,â I told him.
âI shouldnât feel so surprised,â Julian said. Both sets of fingers combed through his hair this time. âIt was so similar to last time, I thought perhaps for a moment that I was trapped in some kind of curse.â
The curse had a name: Bridget.
âI feel so uncertain. So⦠confused. Heartbroken. I donât understand.â Julian began to ramble his words, another action so unlike him. âI hate feeling this way. Iâm always so sure. But I donât understand. Piper, help me understand.â
He looked at me and the intensity in his gaze gave me pause.
âWhy would she change her mind so quickly?â he asked.
He wanted an honest answer, but I held myself back. To tell him what I honestly thought would be to blatantly badmouth the woman he loved. And though I certainly thought her deserving of it, I wasnât so certain that Julian was ready to hear the words.
The truth of it was, I thought Bridget knew from the start which of the two brothers she had desired, and merely strung Julian along. What I didnât know was why?
It could be something simple. Julian was a handsome man, and very charismatic. He was so clearly in love with Bridget, or what he thought was love. It would be so easy to pretend for a while, simply to make out with someone handsome.
But. She was an ultraâbeautiful movie star. She could have anyone she wanted: movie actors, musicians⦠anyone. Why mess around with Julian at all?
A dark voice whispered in my mind, sheâs doing it to mess with you. But how could that be true? I wasnât even around when they were younger.
âI donât know, Julian,â I said. I wouldnât badmouth Bridget for his sake, but I would tell him the truth of what I felt for him. That felt safer, and maybe was more of what he needed to hear anyway. âBut I do know that you deserve better. True love doesnât play these games.â
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+15 BONUS
âI donât know. I donât know anymore. For it to happen twiceâ¦â
âI donât know what she told you last night, and I donât want to know. Itâs none of my business. But sheâs not treating you right, Julian. That I promise you.â
Julian sighed loud and low. âI know that, Piper. You think I donât know that? But Iâm in love with her! What am I supposed to do?â
âHave you tried not being in love with her?â I asked. His defeated tone was triggering my own impatience. âYou know she treats you bad, and you are allowing it. You are enabling it, Julian! How can you continue to love her?â
âI donât know, okay? I donât knowâ¦â
I didnât know what else to do or say, and he didnât know either. We both turned back to the railing and looked up at the stars.
âIâm sorry,â I said again, in the quiet of the night.
âMe, too,â he said.
And though Julianâs heart was breaking, things between us felt whole again.
After leaving Julian, I couldnât wait to see Nicholas, so I rushed to his room. I walked so quickly, I was nearly running, but it was midnight now. Most everyone had retired. I didnât want to draw attention to myself so I had to move slowly.
At his door, I knocked lightly. I heard shuffling within.
After a moment, the door opened slightly, and Nicholasâs face appeared.
His face was drawn, seeing me.
âGo back to your room, Piper,â he said, and closed the door in
my
face.