AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fina widened her eyes. “Your wolf forced it?”
“Yes,” I said. “I typically only shift on the full moon, and sometimes I don’t even shift then.”
Adora hummed in acknowledgment, concern and confusion warring in her eyes.
“Do you remember when we were chatting, and the server came up to offer me a glass of wine?” I asked.
“Um, I don’t know,” Fina said. “I admit I wasn’t really paying attention to the service.”
“Nor was I,” Adora said. “I was too anxious about meeting with the council.”
“It was strange,” I said. “At one point, right before I went into the meeting, I drank a glass of wine a server had brought me specifically. And then I started to feel sick, sick and dizzy, like I’d had an entire bottle by myself.”
“You were drugged,” Fina said, stunned.
I nodded. “I think so. The drugs forced me to shift.”
That wasn’t entirely untrue—the drugs had loosened my tongue, and my inhibitions, which had allowed my wolf to react to my panic. It hadn’t been forced, per se, but it had primed me to lose control. Which, to me, was pretty close to forcing.
“Who would do such a thing?” Adora asked.
I sighed and took a sip of my tea. As much as I wanted their support—they didn’t know Rona had attacked me. I trusted them, but at the same time, how much could I safely share?
“I don’t know,” I said.
“Are you all right?” Fina asked. “Was your wolf able to run off the drugs?”
I nodded. “I think shifting helped,” I admitted. “The run cleared my head.” I couldn’t tell them how I’d spent my evening, either. The mere thought of it made my cheeks burn.
“Well, whatever happened didn’t seem to hurt your chances in the competition,” Fina said with a small, sad smile.
“What?” I asked, setting my teacup down with a clink onto the table. “What do you mean?”
“I’m out,” Fina said with a shrug that looked decidedly faux-casual. “I’ve been dismissed from the Choice.”
My heart sank. “Oh, no, Fina,” I said. I reached out over the table and folded my hand over hers. “Fina, I’m so sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” she said with a small laugh. “It makes your odds better.” Before I could answer, though, she glanced between us with a shake of her head. “I guess the king has a type.”
“The king’s not the only one who makes the decision,” I said. “The council may have more of a hand in this than we think.”
“Could be prioritizing trade,” Adora said. “Particularly if the king wants to expand his territory.”
Fina shook her head. “The reason doesn’t matter to me. I’m just grateful I don’t have to go home immediately. I would hate to have to leave you two without having a chance to say goodbye.”
“You get to stay, then?” I asked.
She nodded. “The duchess has allowed me the option to stay until the end of the Choice. Both Rona and Wynona were offered the same, apparently, but neither took the option.”
My gut clenched. So the truth about Rona was still being kept under wraps. I was grateful to still be able to spend time with Fina though.
“Why don’t we make the most of our time this afternoon, then?” I asked. “We could take a stroll in the gardens.”
Adora looked at me in slight shock. “In this cold weather? I’d assumed you’d be miserable in this heat.”
“The exercise will do me good,” I said. “Going on a run helped me adjust to the climate. And regardless, I’d like to spend some time with you both in private.”
I raised my eyebrows. In the manor, there were always prying eyes and ears. I wanted to hear why Fina had been eliminated—and if the council had said anything about me or Adora. I needed to be prepared for the rest of this competition in any way I could be.
