Chapter 1151

“That same thought crossed my mind,” she admitted. “But I didn’t want to sound…”

The announcement cut her off. “Ladies! If you’ll join the others, we’re about to begin!”

Startled, Zoe and I whipped around to see one of the assistant directors waving us toward center stage. With a resigned sigh, Zoe tossed her ponytail over her shoulder and strode toward Drake. I did the same, avoiding Noah’s gaze as I joined him.

A hush fell over the space as the final couple took their place. The camera panned to a side platform where Luna Alanna stood, microphone in hand. “Alphas, Lunas… welcome,” the Luna Queen announced. “You are gathered here today to prove your worth—to show everyone which couple best represents this year’s Lunar Festival.” Her piercing gaze swept across the contestants, lingering slightly on Noah, Zoe, Drake, and me.

“We’ll begin with a game of agility and coordination,” she stated, pausing for dramatic effect. “The egg pass.”

A murmur rippled through the contestants, ceasing only as attendants distributed baskets of eggs. As the rules were explained, I felt Noah subtly shift beside me. I glanced at him, noting the clench of his jaw and the tension in his shoulders. A spark of my own competitive spirit ignited. Noah was laser-focused, utterly determined to win. I admired that.

The egg pass commenced, each couple passing the egg and stepping back. Soon, tosses replaced passes, and couples were eliminated as eggs cracked. But not us. Nor Drake and Zoe.

The buzzer sounded, leaving only a handful of couples. The crowd cheered, and the Luna Queen announced the next round: the staring contest.

Each couple, hand-in-hand, sat cross-legged, maintaining eye contact for five minutes. Blinking was allowed, but not looking away, laughing, or fully closing eyes.

I cursed inwardly as I sat, feeling Noah’s warm hands in mine, our knees touching. Holding his green-eyed gaze was difficult, especially with the laughter erupting around us. But, once again, we persevered. I held his stare easily, breathing slowly, losing myself in those green depths. He seemed to do the same, his expression unwavering.

Chapter 1151 + 25 BONUS

I couldn’t decide if his ease stemmed from disinterest, a detached state of mind, or simple comfort with me. I leaned toward the latter as the buzzer sounded.

Blinking away the sting in my eyes, I released Noah’s hands and looked around. Four couples remained: us, two from neighboring packs, and… Drake and Zoe. How? How had they advanced? My gaze drifted to the Luna Queen, her expression inscrutable, yet I sensed she orchestrated this, wanting Drake and Zoe to compete long enough to rekindle their love. I could feel it.

Before I could dwell on that, Luna Alanna stood, raising the microphone. “Now,” she announced, “for the final round… The race!”