Semua Bab THE REJECTED LUNA: FROM OUTCAST TO MOON QUEEN : Bab 31 - Bab 40

I floated up to the apartment in a daze, only to find Zane waiting with a grim expression. "We have a problem," he said without preamble. The happiness deflated like a popped balloon. "What kind of problem?" "The kind that arrived in New Haven last night asking questions about a missing Silvermere heir." He handed me a photograph printed from a security camera. "Your sister is here. She's looking for you." The photograph showed Mira, my younger sister, the golden child, the one who'd shifted perfectly, never disappointed anyone, standing outside a supernatural information broker's office in the Warren. She looked different than I remembered. Thinner. Harder. Like the past two months had aged her in ways that had nothing to do with time. "How did she find New Haven?" I demanded, my earlier euphoria completely evaporated. "She didn't, specifically. According to my contacts, she's been traveling to every major city with a supernatural community, asking questions, showing your p

The cage door slammed shut behind me, the roar of the crowd swallowed everything. I flexed my fingers. Rolled my shoulders. The black combat suit was tight across my chest, a second skin built for movement, not comfort. The half-mask sat flush against my face. Smooth. Featureless below the eyes. Luna Ghost. That was who I was tonight. Not Lia. Not Aurelia Veythorne. Just a shadow with claws. Across the pit, Crusher was already waiting. Crusher of the Howling Pit, a name that carried across rings. He was massive. Not just tall, thick through the chest, shoulders in a way that screamed pure muscle, nothing wasted. A Delta killer. Born for this. Bred for it. His arms were wrapped in old fight tape, his knuckles were scarred white. A map of every brawl he'd ever survived. He smiled when he saw me. It wasn't a friendly smile. "Little ghost," he said, loud enough for the crowd to hear. "You're smaller than I expected." I didn't answer. Zane had taught me that

The elevator ride to Valtherion’s penthouse was silent. His hand never left my lower back. Possessive. Protective. The touch burned through my shirt. I should pull away. I didn’t. The doors opened directly into his apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows. City lights sprawling below. Everything was steel, glass and expensive. He guided me inside. The door clicked shut behind us. He turned. "Aurelia Veythorne." Not a question. A statement. His voice was low. Controlled. I heard the tension underneath. I met his eyes. "Yes." "The Aurelia Veythorne who couldn't shift at her Coming of Age." "Yes." "The one Darian Blackmere rejected in front of her entire pack." My jaw clenched. "Yes." Silence stretched between us. Valtherion's expression was unreadable. His Alpha presence filled the room, pressing against my skin. I forced myself not to look away. "If you want me to leave." "No." The word came fast. Sharp. He closed the distance betwee

Two days later, Valtherion drove me across New Haven. We left the gleaming downtown district behind. Passed through industrial zones. Kept going until the buildings grew older, emptier. "Where are we going?" I asked. Valtherion smiled. Said nothing. He turned down a narrow street. Abandoned warehouses lined both sides. Broken windows. Graffiti-covered walls. The area looked forgotten. Dead. He stopped in front of a massive complex. Five interconnected warehouse buildings. Easily fifty thousand square feet. My breath caught. "Valtherion..." He stepped out. Came around to open my door. I climbed onto cracked pavement. Stared up at the buildings. "It's yours," he said simply. I turned to him. "What?" "The entire compound. All five buildings. The surrounding land." Valtherion pulled a folder from his car. "The deed is already being transferred into your name." My hands trembled as I took the documents. "Valtherion, this is... this is too much."

Week One. “Again,” I called out. Ariana panted on the training mat. Sweat dripped down her face. “I can’t.” “You can.” I walked over. “You’re fast, Ariana. Faster than anyone here. You’re fighting like you’re still trying to overpower opponents.” She looked up at me. “Speed is your weapon,” I continued. “Stop trying to match their strength. Use your agility. Make them chase you until they’re exhausted.” Understanding flickered in her eyes. “Show me.” She stood. We squared off. This time, when I attacked, she didn’t meet me head-on. She dodged. Slipped around my guard. Struck from an unexpected angle. I smiled. “Better.” Shane was different. Pure power. No finesse. “You’re a wall,” I told him after watching him spar. “Immovable. That’s good.” He grunted. “Walls can be climbed. Bypassed.” I circled him. “You need to be a wall that fights back.” “How?” “Timing. Let them think they’ve found an opening. Crush them when they commit.” His eyes