PAEDYN NOVA
The announcement I never wanted to hear
“Nova…”
Junie’s voice was soft, almost apologetic, as she stepped into my room, holding a tray she didn’t need to bring. I was seated by the window, pretending to be interested in the sky, pretending I wasn’t listening to every footstep outside my door.
“Not hungry,” I mumbled.
“It’s not food,” she said quietly. “It’s… it’s news.”
That got my attention. I turned.
Junie wasn’t smiling. She looked as though she’d rather swallow thorns than speak the words stuck in her throat.
“Say it,” I said, already feeling my chest tighten. “Say what you came to say.”
“I heard…” She paused. “They say the Alpha—Cardan—is going to name Nora as his Luna.”
I stared at her.
Then I laughed.
A dry, empty laugh.
“You heard that?”
She nodded.
“Fro
