All Chapters of Reborn Luna: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

HopeWe crest the final hill, and there it is—Virelia, the royal capital. White stone towers reach toward the sky like they’re trying to scrape it clean. The palace sits at the city’s heart, crystalline and imposing, nestled behind high walls and flanked by massive iron gates. Even from this distance, I can see the royal banners flapping in the wind—deep violet threaded with gold, a lion mid-roar.Tessa gasps beside me, pressing her face to the window.“Why do the most beautiful places hold the ugliest souls?” she wonders out loud.“It's alright,” Ben says with an unimpressed shrug. “My wolf would go crazy if we had to live this far from running grounds.”I nod, though my thoughts aren’t on the city itself. My eyes catch on the soldiers posted at every corner—Enforcers in sleek black uniforms and warriors bearing swords, their gazes sharp and restless. Even in a city of elegance, power breathes down our necks.“Why do you think the king has so many enforcers?” I ask out loud to no one

KeithThe heavy oak door creaks open as Clinton and I enter the room, and Hope is the first to glance up from the hearth where she is nursing a cup of tea. Her eyes scan my face, and I can’t find it in myself to hide the weariness from my face.Go to mate, my be— no, my hybrid urges me.Part of my mind reels with that information. With what I am. With what he is.My hybrid snorts. Always late. Don’t trust instincts yet.I ignore him for now, walking around Ben and Tessa, sitting across from them. The seat closest to Hope.Tessa and Ben straighten in anticipation.Clinton clears his throat, his gaze sweeping over us. “The meeting with the king was... enlightening,” he begins, settling into his chair.“The king is willing to support Tessa publicly,” Papa continues, “but there's a condition. He wants both the Blue Rock pack and the Lotus pack to declare their support for Prince Camille when the time comes.”Tessa's brows knit together. “Support for Camille? Why? Isn’t the crown typically

HopeI slip into the ballroom just after the doors open with Tessa and Ben by my side. Kieth and Papa arrived earlier at the invitation of the King.Electricity hums through the crowd. Everyone is mingling—noblewomen whispering over glasses of red, southerners in shirtsleeves laughing near high-top tables, musicians swapping tunes in a corner. Music pulses the air, toasts echo.The suitors and females are working the floor. Some dancing, others laughing and mingling, ready to secure alliances at the very least.It still surprises me how open so many shifters are to chosen mates.I suppose when you're Royal, there are things that matter more than true love.Prince Camille dances with a female in the center of the room, and though his face looks pleasant enough, something feels forced about it.He lifts his eyes, and they meet mine. The feeling of déjà vu settles over me.It's like I know his eyes, his stare, but it's impossible.The pair turns on the dancefloor, and the moment is broke

KeithLeon shifts into the lamplight—a silhouette I know better than the moon. His dark hair falls over one eye. He wears a simple cloak, but carries the same warmth in his eyes that lingered there when he was in the warriors' barracks.There is something different about him, though, that look, the years that hidden behind his eyes have somehow come forward. Or maybe I'm just seeing him clearly for the first time.He halts a pace behind me.“Hey,” he says.My wolf is alert. Ready to spring at the slightest indication of trouble.“Don't hey me. Explain yourself, Leon, or whoever you are.”He ignores my questio,n looking over his shoulder before he says. “You're wandering the riverbank at midnight, alone. That's not safe.”“It’s a big city, ”I reply, voice stiff.“And yet I find you in the quietest place, the most illusive,” he says softly.My heart lurches.Leon steps closer.I take a step back.“How much did you lie about? Are you even fifteen?”“I’m not going to hurt you,” he says.“

HopeKeith’s hand is warm against my waist as we step into the ballroom. His arm stays firm around me, and I let it. Ever since he walked in on Camille trying to kiss me, he hasn’t left my side. Not for more than a breath. He’s been possessive, protective… and my wolf eats it up.His spicy scent washes over me and makes the primal side of me want to rub against him.I want to lean into the edge he's walking on. Goddess, I want to. But not here. Not while we’re still surrounded by potential threats, on land that doesn’t belong to us.Instead, I settle for small brushes of my fingers against the strong cords of his arms. The slight press of my body to his.A deep satisfied rumble sounds in his chest.“Careful. You do want me to behave tonight don't you,”he says.The infection in his voice tells me he's wishing for the opposite.The ballroom sparkles in dark gem tones—deep ruby, emerald, and sapphire draped from the ceiling, reflected in polished floors and faceless masks. Waiters in bla