THE NEXT MORNING
MICHAEL
The castle had never felt louder. Every corridor echoed with laughter, the sound of hurried footsteps, the clatter of silver trays and flower baskets. Someone somewhere was singing an old union hymn off key, and it somehow made my stomach twist tighter. I'd managed to escape to the balcony garden the only quiet place left in the entire fortress. The morning air smelled of rain and moon lilies. I leaned against the stone railing, staring at the valley below. Tomorrow, I would be standing before the Goddess, the entire pack, and half the divine court. Tomorrow, I would become Luna. So why did I suddenly feel like a fraud?
"Thinking about running?"I heard a voice.
I nearly jumped. Lady Aeryn stepped out from behind one of the columns, elegant as ever, her silver cloak catching the light.
"I no, ma'am. Just… thinking."I said.
She smiled faintly.
"That's how it starts. I thought about running the night before my own wedding too."Aeryn said.
