Alle Kapitel von THE REJECTED WHITE LUNA: Kapitel 131 – Kapitel 140

Aria slept little that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Audra's face. She remembered the warmth of her daughter in her arms, the tiny fingers wrapped around her hair, the sleepy smile that had almost made her forget where they were. When dawn broke over the Lycan Palace, she was already awake. A gentle knock sounded at her chamber door. "It is time." Lady Elyra's calm voice carried through the room. Aria rose immediately. She had changed into a simple training outfit the palace attendants had left for her during the night. It was practical, allowing her to move freely, though she disliked wearing clothing chosen for her. She opened the door. Lady Elyra stood waiting, dressed as elegantly as ever. "Good morning, Lady Aria." Aria skipped the greeting. "Can we make this fast? I need to see my daughter.” "You will." The King already gave his word." Aria searched the older woman's face for any sign of deception. Finding none, she stepped into the corridor. "I hope

The woman pressed her back against the cold stone pillar, her breath shallow and controlled. She didn't move or blink. Not until the distant echo of Aria's footsteps had faded completely, swallowed by the vast silence of the palace corridors. Only then did she release the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. That was so close. If Aria had walked just a few steps farther… if Lady Elyra had glanced in the right direction at the wrong moment… Lina shook the thought away and stepped out from behind the pillar. A thin smile crossed her lips. Aria hadn't seen her. No one had. She slipped away through a servants' passage she had discovered on her first night within the palace walls. The corridor was narrow and dimly lit, used only by those who preferred to move unseen. It suited her perfectly. By the time she reached her chambers and closed the door behind her, her heartbeat had steadied. Lina smiled as she looked around the room. It wasn't extravagant, but it was far bett

Lina stared at the servant's uniform lying across the bed. The rough blue fabric was a constant reminder of the mistake she could never undo. She closed her eyes. The memories came rushing back. --- The streets of Mooncrest were overflowing with excitement. It was the day of Luna Aria's ceremony. Merchants lined both sides of the market square, calling to passing customers while children darted between the crowded stalls. Lina adjusted the basket on her arm as she moved through the market. She still had several things to buy before returning to the packhouse. "Fresh herbs!" "Sweet berries!" "Warm bread!" Voices echoed from every direction. She stopped at a fruit stall, counting the few coins in her hand before paying the elderly merchant. As she turned to leave, someone spoke behind her. "You're Lina." She stopped. Slowly, she turned around. A man stood a few paces away. His dark cloak concealed his entire body, and the hood shadowed his face. She didn't recognize him

A knock cut through her thoughts. Lina didn't move. She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands limp in her lap, her mind still trapped in the memory of that night. The stranger's voice. The weight of Audra in her arms. The cold coins pressed into her palm. The door pushed open before she could answer. Lady Elyra moved inside, her face unreadable. "Make sure you're out in the kitchen on time." Lina nodded confusingly. She didn't know who this woman was, but she was sure she held some power in this place. Lady Elyra walked out and closed the door. Lina's mind drifted back. Back to the Luna Ceremony. Back to the night she had ruined everything. "I want to offer you a future." "What kind of future?" "The kind that could change your life and Ren's forever." She had listened. Moon Goddess help her, she had listened. He had spoken of gold and freedom. He had spoken of Aria as if she were the reason Lina had lost everything, her mate, her home, her place in the world. And

Lina spun around. The stranger was leaning against the far wall, his arms crossed, his dark eyes gleaming with cold amusement. He had been waiting for her. "I had no choice. She saw me." "And you told her...?" "Nothing. I told her I came to help. She doesn't know anything." The stranger smiled. It was a slow, dangerous thing. "Good. Because if she finds out the truth, if she learns what you really did, it won't be me you need to fear. It will be her." Lina's blood ran cold. "I know." "Do you? Because you seem to be struggling, Lina. Struggling with your guilt. Struggling with your loyalties." He pushed off the wall and stepped closer. "Let me make this simple. You work for the King now. You do as you're told. And if you ever think about confessing to Aria, remember, your son would take the blow. And the King's mercy has limits." The words settled over her like a shroud. "I've already done everything you asked," Lina said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I handed the pup ov