The Luna Choosing Game

How unfair. How unkind. At least let me enjoy the beach first! “More turbulence,” Nicholas whispered.
This time he was right up against my ear. I could feel the warm puffs of his breath against my skin, rustling my hair. With my eyes
closed so tightly, my other senses heightened. I could feel the warmth of him, leaning so close to me. I could practically feel his
words, rather than just hear them.
“Nothing to worry about,” Nicholas continued. His words were so comforting. Was he putting some Alpha command to them, to
help me relax? Or was it simply his closeness that was adding to my calm? My wolf
was practically purring, turned to putty in the warmth of his presence.
His closeness like this wasn’t sexual, I felt no need to suddenly jump him. But it was... intimate. Like this, I felt his words whisper
down deep inside of me, practically into my very soul.
Something weaved between us. It was electric yet soothing at the same time.
Instinctively I leaned into him, searching for more. He didn’t move an inch away, allowing my closeness and offering all the
comfort he could muster in return.
It was in this state, that [ endured the rest of the plane ride. And when it was done, I barely noticed the landing.
Nicholas stayed close to me and I stayed lost to him.
Until Elva called for me, after the plane had finally stopped moving. “Mommy, look!” - “It’s okay,” Nicholas whispered, when I
hesitated. The thought of looking at that window gave me a jolt of fear. Yet with Nicholas’s encouragement and Elva’s
excitement, I peeked open my eye to see.
The view stole my breath away.
Beyond the tarmac and the runway, was the bluest crystal waters I had ever seen in my life. Gentle waves seemed to sparkle
under the light of the late afternoon.
“So much water!” Elva said.
“That’s our southern ocean,” Nicholas explained. “That’s where the merfolk live.”

The landing strip was private and part of the royal island, so it didn’t take long after we left the plane to find our : way to the
mansion we would be staying in. It was miniscule compared to the palace, though still so much larger than anything I had been
used to from my regular life.
It was two stories tall, concrete and painted plaster with a tin roof. Storm shutters were open above every window. Along the
entire perimeter were palm trees and plants with large leaves and brightly colored flowers.
I felt as though I had walked into some kind of greenhouse filled with strange, far away flowers and plants. It was unusual to me,
but no less beautiful. A wooden deck fully encircled the mansion, with the largest part in the
back of the house, where steps led down to the wind sand of the beach.
We went there now, as a group, without even stepping inside. Several staff waved and greeted us as we walked. We were
assured our luggage was being transported inside.
“Before we show you your rooms,” said lead housekeeper, a woman named Selma with a tan and sun- kissed brown hair.
“Please make yourself comfortable in our open-air lounge area. Our bartenders and wait staff are ready to serve you.” With her
direction, we moved onto the deck.
I stood there a moment with Elva, our hands intertwined, staring at the beach I and the ocean, and the sun slowly
lowering behind it all.
“Is this what heaven looks like, Mommy?” Elva asked. pe As Nicholas came to stand on my other side, I knew the answer.
“Yes.”