The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert novel Chapter 20

20. Breaking Balls

Savvy tensed as her head snapped in the direction of an enormous lycan walking out of the door in front of them. Tall, with longish ginger hair and a short beard, he was a beast of a man. Bigger than Kai and Lachlan put together. So big that Savvy wondered in her mind where he purchased clothes his size because his jeans and red black flannel shirt were fitting him perfectly. It must have been a special order.

“Aspen, old mutt!” Kai chuckled at the stranger, and Savvy relaxed instantly. So, it wasn’t a dangerous situation of any kind. “Still can’t get over your loss last time? Mind your mouth today, though. I brought a lady to this gods’ forsaken place.”

“Fenrir with you,” the giant let out a chesty laugh. “And I thought you were a king who could afford to take women to a decent restaurant! How cheap are you to bring the lady here?!”

“Maybe I am just not that special to him,” Savvy offered, cockily deciding to rub salt in the wound. Immediately Kai’s hand wrapped around her waist possessively.

“We’ll see about that one,” Aspen’s eyes traced his movement, and a discerning smile appeared on his face. “Well, don’t just stand there! Come inside!”

The three of them walked into the spacious but cosy pub. It was decorated according to the best northern traditions, and a white bear’s head on the wall did not escape Savvy‘s eyes. No wonder they never liked each other with the lycans.

The entrance hall to the pub was painted with white and blue traditional northern patterns, while the fireplace welcomed them with a crackling fire and the comforting light of the flame. There were a few private cabins on the left with soft leather seats, a bar with light-coloured wooden tables, and high stools with windows running along one wall for their customers to enjoy

a picturesque view of the forest. Although, at the moment, they could only see the darkness of the night.

The chatter and laughter of the customers created a lovely atmosphere, and an old song was playing from the speakers.

At the very back of the establishment, Savannah noticed a pool table, but Aspen guided them the opposite way.

“I guess today you are taking the cabin,” he stated as he winked at the northern king.

“Yes, please.” Kai nodded in agreement and nudged Savvy slightly to follow the big man. He led them to a cabin hidden from everyone else and handed them their menus.

“No need for those.” The king shook his head. “We’ll have two rabbit liver pies.”

He winked at her as she stared at him in shock before quickly regaining her composure and looking at Aspen with a grin.

“Those are for him. And I’ll have your Special Burger!”

“Burned!” Aspen whispered so loudly that probably everyone in the building heard him. ” must warn you that it’s a huge burger, though.”

“Good!” Savvy nodded. “I am starving! Add a coke with some fries to that.”

“I’ll have the same then,” Kai chuckled.

“What, no rabbit liver today?” his companion questioned, arching her brow playfully, as he admitted defeat by lifting his hands in the air. The pie wasn’t his favourite either.

“I was just trying to introduce you to a taste of northern food.” He pretended not to care, crossing his hands on his chest and looking away.

“Hey, Aspen,” Savvy looked up at the lycan, who was watching the two of them with amusement and asked. “Are you a northerner?”

“Born and bred.” He hit himself on the chest with pride. “Who will be cooking these burgers?” she asked innocently.

“For him, some intern in my kitchen. For you, I will do everything myself!” The giant snorted, and they heard Kai growl a warning.

“See?” Savannah rolled her eyes, “I still have northern food made by the best the North has to offer!”

Aspen disappeared into the kitchen, and for the first time, they found themselves alone… Neither of them knew what to say

“This is probably not what you imagined?” He tapped his fingers over the wooden surface of the table.

“I never imagined us having a date at all,” she admitted softly. “Here or anywhere else.”

“I imagined it since the moment I met you, but it was today that I knew I’d be taking you here.”

“Is this a special place to you?” Savvy decided not to beat around the bush.

“Look here,” he took her tiny palm in his and moved it to the corner of the table, letting her feel the carvings on the edge. With her delicate fingers, the girl slid closer and traced the pattern engraved with what she surmised was probably a claw.

Harold + Ronja – Kai

She stared at the carving for a while with her lips parted before bringing herself to look at him again.

“You came here with your parents?” Savannah guessed correctly.

“Sometimes.” The king found, for some odd reason, that he wanted to share this memory with her. “We would come here to … to feel normal, I guess. It worked each time. Here, my mother and father weren’t the King and the Queen. They were just a husband and wife. This is why! thought it would be a perfect place for ….”

“For the gardener and the maid,” Savvy chuckled. “Is it not?” Kai raised his brow questioningly. “I think it is,” she agreed, a little smile dancing on her lips. “Tell me more.”

And he did, not sparing the smallest detail, even some of the most embarrassing stories of his childhood. He made Savannah laugh, and to him, it was priceless.

“No way!” She giggled as he told her the story of him running away from his house when he was little but not quite making it past the bridge before his father’s Beta caught him. He delivered him here to his parents, who probably were trying to have a normal date for once, to no avail. The previous king was so pissed.

“You should have seen the look on his face!” He tried to mimic his father’s expression, “This little brat again! Aspen and Celia were here too, watching the whole scene from the backroom, Their Dad was one of the strongest warriors and ….”

“Wait!” Savvy choked. “Is Aspen Celia’s brother?!” “Yeah,” Kai replied matter-of-factly, unaware of the problem. “Celia’s brother is making me food?” The girl’s eyes grew wide.

“Is my sister creating trouble for you?” Aspen reappeared, wearing an apron, and carrying two plates in his large hands, placing them on the table.

“Well…” Savvy cleared her throat uncomfortably, hoping that he hadn’t tried to poison her food and forced a smile.

“Of course she does!” the giant sighed. “Ever since she became friends with Penelope, she has been like that!”

“She is not that bad,” the princess lied, and Aspen towered over her.

“If she does something again, tell her this,” he leaned all the way to her ear and whispered something that Kai couldn’t hear.’

The Northern King didn’t like the two being so close to each other. He did not like it at all. “Thanks for your help, Buddy!” he snarled at his friend. “I think we can take it from here.” “Thank you, Aspen,” Savannah grinned, “you are the best northerner I have ever met!” “And you are.” The big guy began to say something, but this time Kai growled loudly. “Bye, Aspen!”

“Northern gardeners sure are temperamental!” Savvy let out a little laugh and took her burger in her hands.

They ate, and they talked, teasing each other as usual. However, it felt so natural and so comforting for both of them. As if this was how it was supposed to be.

“Shall we play pool?” Kai suggested, and Savannah pierced him with her gaze. “I am not sure how” She bit her lip and looked at him through her long lashes.

“I’ll teach you!” He promised eagerly and took her hand, pulling her toward the game table. “It’s not as easy as it looks, but, luckily for you, I am a great teacher.”

“Be careful with that one!” Aspen grunted as they passed the bar area. “He cheats!”

“Not true!” Kai sounded offended, but it was clear that all this was just a joke to him. “It’s just that you are a sore loser looking for excuses!”

He started explaining the game’s rules to her, clearly excited while placing all the balls into a wooden triangle. The “little maid” watched him and nodded as he explained every single detail, her fingers brushing over the wooden cue in her hand, drawing his attention each time.

“I think I’ve got it!” She smiled when he was done.

“Come on then,” he stepped behind her, pressing his hard body into hers. “I’ll help you to break the balls.”

“That’s so sweet of you,” she chirped and leaned forward, taking position and aiming at the cue ball.

“Like that,” Kai gently bent over her, his breath tickling her ear, hands over hers. He showed