AVA: AWAKENING OF THE LUNA

cheekbones. She took a step back, tilting her head as she studied her handiwork. A huge g

oment she caught her reflection, her mouth fell open. The person staring back at her..

ehow disappear. The emerald dress made her silver hair look like starlight, and Alora had done something magical with makeup that made her

ed to find the right words. "Thank you so much.

. "That's like the millionth time today. Friends don't need to thank each other for every little thing

ou know, I've been thinking... I might want to do this professionally someday. Like

nely excited. "You've got such an amazing eye for this stuff. The

ously! And when I'm this super famous designer with clothes in al

short by the deep, resonant sound of the ceremonial bell

nly frantic. "How is it that l

streets were alive with excitement-colorful decorations lined the pathways, street performers entertaine

unusually bright

g that had settled in her chest. She gla

n her gut. The moon hung impossibly huge in the sky, casting everything in

l... weird to you? I mean, look at that moon. I've never seen it shine like th

p dramatically. "You're seriously going to go all doom

ill drawn to that eerily bright moon. Her wo

ust sa

ng the time of their lives! The air is literally buzzing with excitement! If that moon is t

ra's terrible impression of a moon voice, but that

trouble. She grabbed Ava's hands, grinning mischievously. "You

t are you-

to resist at first, but Alora's enthusiasm was infectious. Before she knew it, she was laughing and twirling, their dresses swirling aro

eath, her perfect hair now slightly messy. "Did

a smile. "I don't know... if I say no, are yo

. "I've got all night, and I'm not above embarrassing us

hter as they continued wa

on Square, Ava literally stopp

f a fairy tale. Like, if magic was re

atterns overhead, casting this soft golden glow over everything. Wolves from every pack in the

ng, and servers were weaving through the crowd with tr

r too. Everyone kept glancing around, clea

pha wa

sat down, Alora's arm shot up like she was hailing a taxi. "Hey! Two drinks please!" she c

ng everything in, barely

ce, practically shouting over the music. "I said, this pa

ng. Whoever ends up as Luna is

up when they saw Alora, calling out hellos and complimenting her dress. But w

he alternative - the whispers, the looks, the not-so-subtle comments. At

?" Alora whispered, clearly notic

ally, it's fine. I'd rather fly

ay too pretty to actually drink. Ava took a tiny sip and was

's hand a reassuring squeeze before exc

his chaos was not how she had planned to spend the night. And to make matters w

ell... look wh

ed. She kne

ind Madison and her usual group of m

ant, Madison?"

ay dumb, freak. I just have to know...

ease, I don't w

gly before grabbing a fistful of

up looking like you actually matter? You must

n shoved her backward, making

ne. They just stood ther

her eyes, wondering why they to

th

owl echoed thr

ifted as the pack members hurriedly straighte

nder her. She managed to stand for about two seconds before her legs gave

ual hell happ

this. She turned to see her best friend's face, which

off, forcing what she hoped was a convincing smile. "

between a fall and..." she gestured at Ava's state, hands shaking with anger. "This? Wh

ll but genuine. "I appreciate the whole avenging angel thing, I really do. But I'm okay. Pro

her shoulders. "Fine. But I mean it - one more incident

se, a deep bell rang out across M

hteen to twenty, please form a

spots in line. Her hands were so sweaty she had to keep wiping them on her dres

mo

pha hi

, that hadn't changed. But he'd never once looked her way - worse than that, actually. So

wn the line, getting closer an

eyes

ing at her. Really looking at her. And in tha