The Dual Claim

e until the ballroom looked like the inside of a star. Music drifted from the gallery, brigh

ad table. He was older than I remembered-h

each of the Twelve Allies stands in turn to serve as host before the full moon. T

oft and polite. He lifted his glass

trength she gives our hunts. May our alliances hold, our hearths stay full, and our hearts r

everyone repl

piced fruit filling the hall. I copied what the others did-napk

e told me with a lopsid

e spoke to me, but I caught a few sidelong glances from the

me in and took our pla

ward, her ivory robes flowing over the dais steps. Candlelig

he said, "the time between shadow and fullness. When her face is nearly whole, she turns her gaze upon us and marks those she would see run b

ds. "The goddess wa

sured, but his voice carried the weight of habit. "First, the pack daughte

ther unbonded males. Next, the first-year daughters of our allies. If Luna does

r families whispering. I rose too, already moving toward t

phans the pack took in, protec

e elders to call them up for their chance to be pack Luna. Mothers tugge

ring too long. No mother to calm my nerves with a touch. I just stoo

t ran a fraction short at the ankles if I stood straight. I stitched the hem by

the rest of the pack hoping for an awakening bo

even trying to keep it sof

where she belongs," another voic

, I could pretend I wasn't the girl at the end of the line

ne steps, stood the man who would decide

en V

his shoulders were broad enough to make the space feel smaller. The black jacket fit li

falling in loose waves to his co

walk; he

red sat there, flanked by an older man and two identical younger cl

rpine's girls. The tilt of her chin and the calm way she h

tive, from the arm on the back of her chair, to the constant scanning of the

to know your every move, shared meals, questions about your day. Wane Hall was a place

e witness Luna's Calling. Let those who have

e and yanked it back when they rea

ded not

the hush. A girl in ivory moved like

her. He placed two fingers lightly

th along with

No air snapped like a struck string. He opened his eyes, th

roed in on the l

meone breathed

ack to her family. Her mother caught her and g

called the

ass blue. Then a

hing the crowd for their family to offer comfort or fo

e next wrist. Another tiny shake of his

on. One young wom

he woman in crimson silk...agai

ex