Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 113: In The Forest

**Carlos Zea's POV**

"With you your majesty," I said hastily.

"Good," he responded, walking out. Leaving me in the constellations room. I pushed open the doors, and they groaned shut behind me like they were tired, too. The sun was blazing, turning the air into a stuffy oven, but I didn't care. I needed to get out. My head was still buzzing from the king's lecture, his voice all serious, like I'd messed up big-time just by complimenting Erika.

A walk would fix it.

The woods were right there, dark and quiet, like they were inviting me in. The trees were super tall, like skyscrapers made of bark, and the ground squished under my boots like wet cereal. It smelled like dirt and nature which was kind of nice. The deeper I went, the quieter it got. No birds, no bugs-just my footsteps and the wind whispering through the leaves. Sunlight poked through the branches, making everything look serene until it wasn't.

I froze when a strange scent assaulted my nose.

My neck prickled. And then I saw it.

A dead bear.

My stomach did a flip. It was huge, and a bloodied mess. Its fur was soaked in blood, shiny under the sun. Claw marks everywhere; in the trees and ground. Its throat was ripped open, jagged and gross. I covered my mouth.

I spun around, heart racing-and there she was.

Erika.

She was crumpled on the ground, half-wolf, half-girl. Her wolf side was matted with blood, her claws limp. Her human half looked ghostly pale, her lips blue-ish. Blood pooled around her, soaking into the dirt. She wasn't moving.

"No, no, no-" I stumbled toward her, knees shaking. Her chest barely rose. She was breathing, but barely. Her eyes were half-open, glazed like she wasn't really here.

"Erika?!" I crouched next to her, hands hovering. I didn't know where to touch. Her wolf fur was sticky. Her human arm felt ice-cold. "Hey, c'mon, talk to me!"

Nothing.

My throat tightened. Erika was always tough, and snarky, rolling her eyes, and throwing punches if someone messed with her. Now she looked... broken. Small. I grabbed her hand. "Please wake up," I whispered. "Please."

The woods felt darker suddenly. Like something was watching. But I didn't care. I wasn't leaving her. Not like this.

**Erika's POV**

I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand, my skin sticky and gritty with dirt. My whole body ached like I'd been run over by a cart, training had been brutal today. My legs felt like jelly, and my arms were so heavy I could barely lift them. My clothes were soaked through, clinging to me like a second skin, and I could smell the stink of sweat and earth on me.

I pushed open the door to the quarters assigned to my mom and I, the hinges creaking like they were complaining too. The cool air inside hit me, but it didn't help much. I barely had a second to catch my breath before my mom's voice sliced through the quiet like a knife.

"Erika."

I froze. That tone. I knew it too well. It was the "you're in trouble" voice, sharp and disapproving. I turned slowly, already bracing myself.

She stood there, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing as she looked me up and down. Her nose wrinkled like she'd just smelled something rotten. "You look like an absolute mess," she said, her voice dripping with that special mix of disappointment and frustration. "How many times have I told you to clean up after training? What if someone saw you like this? A lady shouldn't-"

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. "It's just dirt, Mother."

"That's not the point-"

But I was already turning away, my boots thudding against the wooden floor. I didn't have the energy for this. Not today. My head was pounding from the heat, and my body was still buzzing from the fight, muscles twitching like they were ready for round two. I didn't need a lecture about being "presentable" or "acting like a proper lady."

I grabbed my cloak from the hook by the door and slung it over my shoulders. I needed air. Space. Quiet.

The evening breeze hit me as soon as I stepped outside, cool and sweet, like a drink of water after a long day. I took a deep breath, letting it fill my lungs. The forest stretched out ahead, dark and shadowy, the trees swaying gently like they were whispering secrets to each other. The air smelled like earth and leaves, fresh and alive. It was the kind of smell that made you feel small in a good way like the world was bigger than all your problems.

I started walking, my boots crunching against the dirt path. The further I went, the quieter it got. No birds, no bugs-just the sound of my breathing and the rustle of leaves. It was peaceful. For a moment, I almost forgot about the ache in my ribs and the sting of the cuts on my arms.

Then I heard it.

A low, guttural growl, deep and rumbling, like thunder rolling in the distance. My heart skipped a beat.

I turned slowly, my pulse pounding in my ears.

And there it was.

A bear.

It was huge, its massive body blocking the path. Its fur was dark and matted, its eyes gleaming with a hungry, wild light. It stared right at me, its muscles tensing like it was ready to pounce.

I didn't have time to think.

I shifted.

It hurt like it always did; bones cracking, muscles stretching, fur sprouting along my skin. In seconds, I was on all fours, claws digging into the dirt. The bear roared, the sound shaking the ground, and then it charged.

I dodged, barely missing its massive paw as it swung at me. But it was fast, faster than I expected. Its next strike caught me, claws raking across my side. Pain shot through me, sharp and hot, but I didn't have time to scream.

I lunged at its throat, my fangs sinking into its thick fur. Blood filled my mouth, warm and metallic. The bear roared again, thrashing wildly, trying to throw me off. I dug my claws into its shoulders, holding on tight as it twisted and slammed me into the ground. My ribs screamed, but I didn't let go.

I bit down harder, my jaw aching with the effort.

The bear's movements slowed, its roars turning into weak, gurgling sounds. Its body shuddered, then went still.