Chapter 216 – The Luna Trials Novel by Marissa Gilbert

Filed To Story: The Perfect Luna by Marissa Gilbert

She was his mate.

His second chance.

He didn’t think he would ever get a second chance mate. They were a rarity and hardly anyone ever got one.

It was getting harder to breathe, because Ash knew he did not want a mate. He knew he was not lucky in love. His first mate d*ied so early that they were barely beyond being pups. The love of his life, Riannon, married his best friend and then met her own mate and became a Queen. Ash had been through so much pain that he didn’t even want to try anymore. He chose to stay by Riannon’s side even if it was from the shadows. He had another woman in his pack, Harper, tending to his more primal needs when it was required. Everything was working out for him.

Until now.

And he didn’t want to change the status quo.

Petra stopped trembling for a second and looked at him with wide eyes, probably sensing what he had already figured out. Her eyes were as blue as forget-me-nots, and this was ironic because Ash knew that he would not be able ever to forget this woman now.

Petra was extremely young. She looked as if she’d barely reached the age of eighteen. Ash almost instantly knew that she was wrong for him. This second chance was probably a mistake. The Moon Goddess was mocking him for always wanting what he couldn’t get.

Someone made a sultry joke about the pink-haired girl, and everyone else in the room laughed. It made Petra’s eyes well up, but she didn’t cry. heir gazes locked again, and he smiled at her rea*s*suringly, hoping to let her know that it was going to be okay.

The White Bear King gestured to Claude and Chloe to stop recording, and their cameraman pointed the lens at the floor.

“Shall we begin?” Bjorn’s voice brought both Ash and Petra back to reality. Ash was glad that Petra had the sense not to scream that he was her mate.

Something told him that this would have complicated things.

Other men in the room roared in approval. It looked like most of them wanted to buy his mate tonight, and this made him so angry that his claws elongated against his best attempt to hold himself back.

“What is it with you?” his Delta hissed when he noticed what was going on, and Ash managed to get himself under control.

“Nothing,” he gritted his teeth.

The familiar Red Beard walked up to Petra and stood next to her, announcing loudly, “Consider that the auction has started! The king is willing to listen to your offers!”

Some huge white bear stood up first, stating, “The White Claw Clan offers thirty thousand for the girl.”

Others laughed, indicating that none of them took this offer seriously. New offers followed. Bigger offers.

Better ones. The bears were offering money, fealty, lands, their own daughters or sisters in return. Women were traded as if they were cattle.

Petra began looking smaller and smaller in the middle of all this, hugging her shoulders as if it could heip her protect herself.

This was when he knew that he wouldn’t be leaving her behind. He would get her out whatever it cost him.

The realisation was sudden but so clear he didn’t even have to think twice about it. He couldn’t leave her.

Ash waited for everyone to state what they were willing to give for his mate, and Bjorn seemed pleased with all that. However, the King’s eyes locked with his after all the bids were given, and the werewolf realized his offer was the most important either way. His delegation was invited to take part for a reason, and he was starting to realise what that reason was when he noticed Bjorn looking at the main entrance from time to time. He was waiting for his own queen to arrive.

The Alpha stood up, and now all the attention was on him. Clearing his throat, Ash pronounced loudly, “I

offer you any sum you name, the loyalty of my pack and-

“A few people chuckled behind his back. They were offering so much more. “And the Western Lycan Kingdom.”

Now a wave of gasps erupted through the crowds.

Whispers filled the room after, and Bjorn had to let out a mighty roar for everyone to get quiet. When the desired effect was achieved, he looked at the daring Alpha before him.

“What makes you think I need you to give me the West?” The king scoffed, arching his brow and gesturing for one of the servants to pour him more alcohol. “Not to mention that I can’t see how you can even offer that.

Who are you again?”

“l am Asher Jones, the Alpha of the Silver River pack, “Ash replied calmly. “I believe that I can be of service to you. Now that the Lycan King of the West is dead, Beta Reid is preparing to become the new King as we speak. It just so happens that I’m invited to his coronation. And I swear to bring his head to you if you let me have Petra.”

“Are you planning to return her to her father?” Bjorn asked.

“Temporarily,” the Alpha responded dryly. “We have an agreement about our future alliance, so after Petra spends some time with her family, she will join me at my pack in the West.”

Petra was now watching him with hope in her incredibly blue eyes, and he felt guilty because what he had told was a lie. There was no alliance in plans between him and her family. However, he pushed these thoughts aside. It was important that he was simply saving her. It was… enough.

“Fine,” Bjorn smirked. “I think we have a winner here.

I can K*ll that Beta myself, but since you volunteer- I am always interested in saving my own resources. The girl is yours once you fulfil your promise.”

The Red Beard was about to take Petra away, but Ash spoke again, “My King- Maybe you will allow Petra to stay with us for tonight and enjoy this evening?”

Bjorn considered it and nodded slowly. His own night was already ruined because Savannah didn’t show up. At least he’d made a good deal and l all this with Savvy’s help. She was the one who asked him to let these people in. So, he decided to reward the daring wolf. Even if for just one night.

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