Chapter 110


    Olivia’s words struck through me like a fatal blow. I didn’t deserve to be here. I knew that. Everyone


    knew that.


    they were nobility, all prim


    But it wasn’t because I had loose morals or a child. It was simply because and proper, and I was a


    shadow of my former self. A wolf–less waitress, just trying to get by.


    I had no right to waste the princes‘ time.


    They didn’t know that I wasn’t here for romance. I had no intention of marrying any prince. I just wanted


    medical care for Elva, and to find my wolf.


    I couldn’t tell them that, though, so I kept it all bundled up inside of me, buried down into the deepest


    part of myself.


    Let them think whatever they wanted. They would anyway, no matter what I said.


    Olivia sneered, smug like she’d won a victory here.


    Yet before she or I or anyone else could say another word, Nathan tapped onto his microphone and


    drew all of our gazes up to the lifted tform.


    “Congrattions again, on surviving the first round of eliminations,” he said.


    Now that the other girls‘ attentions had been waid, I noticed as I looked around that the room did feel


    more spacious. Even the girls who had mocked me had been much less than the typical number.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    We were only down from 25 to 15, yet the difference felt like more.


    However,” Nathan continued, “Thepetition must continue, and therefore we will begin preparations


    for the next challenge you will face. This time you will each be ying hostess to the royal family for a


    garden party


    I tried to think what that would entail, but I didn’t participate in any garden parties at the academy. The


    other girls, however, seemed like they would burst in excitement. They eagerly whispered to each other


    with wide smiles on their faces


    Nathan cleared his throat to silence them.


    “You will each be given your own table to serve a drink and a selection of hors d’oeuvres. You will be


    judged on your outfit and hosting abilities, as well as the presentation and taste of the food.”


    Now, food I could do. With my restaurant experience, I knew a bit about food and how to te it. I


    would


    impromptu lessons.


    I nced around for Charlotte, and saw her standing in the back of the room, far away from the others.


    She really did seem to hate crowds. This wholepetition must have been miserable for her.


    With her help and Charlotte’s, I felt confident that I could seed in this challenge. I had to, for Elva’s


    sake, and for that of my wolf. I didn’t want to win this choosing game, but I wanted to stay in the


    running


    for as long as I could.


    With a challenge like this, everything shoulde together.


    “Now for the twist,” Nathan said, silencing the room once more.


    My stomach sunk down to the ground. Trepidation crept along my spine.


    “You are to host together, two to a table. Pairs will be selected at random.”


    A simultaneous gasp filled the room, then everyone began chattering at once.


    “Ladies! Ladies, please! Your attention.” Once Nathan had it, he continued, “The Luna must always


    maintain poise and perfection even under such duress as having to cooperate with an


    adversary.”


    That quieted everyone in a hurry, stifling their outrage. If the Luna would handle this with grace, then


    they had to too, or risk scoring low.


    I didn’t particrly care what a Luna would or wouldn’t do. But even I recognized that I would have to


    emte her diplomatic nature if I had any hope of continuing to survive here.


    will now assign the pairs,” Nathan said. A servant handed him a clipboard.