Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 121: Fighting The Bond

**Carlo's POV**

"Erika," I said with a sigh, walking in her direction.

She was standing with her back to me. I could tell she knew I was coming—her posture was too rigid, her breathing too controlled. It wasn’t the first time I’d caught her like this, acting as if ignoring me would make me disappear.

Too bad for her, I wasn’t going anywhere.

She finally turned, her face blank. "What?"

Just that. No greeting, no pretence. Straight to hostility.

I stopped a few feet away, studying her. The way she held herself, the sharpness in her tone—it was all an act. Because beneath it, her wolf was restless. And so was mine.

"We need to talk," I said.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "We don’t need to do anything, Carlo."

"Last night—"

"—was a mistake." The words came out fast, rehearsed like she’d been telling herself the same thing all morning. "I mean, you hinted at that yourself."

I took another step forward, watching the way her fingers twitched. She was fighting the bond, hard. "Was it?"

Her jaw tightened. "Yes."

"Liar," I said softly.

Her nostrils flared. "You think you know me so well?"

I tilted my head, letting my gaze drag over her face. "I know your wolf did not initially react but I know you have felt it."

That got her. A flicker of something crossed her eyes—guilt, frustration, maybe both.

But she recovered too quickly. "It meant nothing," she said, voice cold.

I smiled. "Then why are you still thinking about it?"

She inhaled sharply, but before she could spit out another denial, I closed the remaining space between us. Not touching, but close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off her skin. Close enough to hear the slight hitch in her breath.

Her wolf stirred again, pressing against her control, and mine responded instinctively.

I saw it then—that moment of weakness, the part of her that wanted to give in.

Then, just as fast, she shoved it down. "Move," she ordered.

I didn’t. Instead, I leaned in, lowering my voice. "Tell me you felt nothing, and I’ll let you go."

She glared at me, but it wasn’t anger in her eyes. It was something else. Something she didn’t want me to see.

Then she did the only thing she could do to get away.

She turned and walked off.

I let her.

For now.

*+*+*+*+*

**Erika's POV**

I needed to move.

Fast, far, and without looking back.

The second I put distance between us, I sucked in a deep breath, trying to steady myself. My hands clenched at my sides as I stalked toward another section on the training grounds, pushing through the lingering tension in my chest.

It was just a kiss. Just a moment. I could ignore it. I had to. Especially after he said it was just a thing of the moment.

Not even just that, I had goals.

If I let it consume me, if I let my guard slip even a little, I knew what would happen.

And I refused to let that happen.

So I did what I always did—I threw myself into training.

The air was crisp, the scent of earth and sweat mixing as I stepped onto the field. A few warriors were already there, but I didn’t acknowledge them. I went straight for the weapons rack, grabbing a set of throwing knives.

Distraction. That’s what I needed.

I set up a row of targets and started throwing. One after the other, my movements were precise and controlled. Each blade hit dead center, but it wasn’t enough.

It didn’t silence the memory of his voice.

"Tell me you felt nothing."

I gritted my teeth, launching another knife.

"Liar."

Damn him.

I threw harder, faster, my frustration seeping into every motion. My wolf was pacing beneath my skin, unsettled. I could still feel him watching me, even though he wasn’t here.

Because that was the worst part—I didn’t need to see him to know where he was.

I always knew.

A low growl rumbled in my throat as I pulled another knife, but before I could throw it, a voice interrupted.

"Erika?"

I turned sharply. One of the younger warriors—Jonas—stood a few feet away, looking hesitant. "What?" I snapped.

He flinched. "Uh—I just wanted to ask if you could help with—"

"Not now," I cut him off.

The poor kid looked like he wanted to vanish. "Sorry," he mumbled before backing away.

I exhaled slowly, closing my eyes.

Great. Now I was snapping at people for no reason.

I ran a hand through my hair, inhaling deeply. This wasn’t working.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get rid of the weight pressing against my chest. The pull of the bond.

I was losing control.

And I hated it.

**Carlo's POV**

I wasn’t expecting her to break that easily.

Even as I stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching her, I knew she was fighting it—fighting me.

Her wolf was restless. I could feel the bond pulling taut between us, the way it had been since last night. And no matter how much she denied it, she wasn’t unaffected.

I watched her throw herself into training, pushing her body like she could outrun what was happening. She was stubborn, always had been. But this wasn’t something she could win through sheer willpower.

I smirked, crossing my arms as I leaned against a tree.

She was running herself into the ground, and I hadn’t even touched her.

I stepped onto the other side of the field, making my way toward her.

Her back was turned, but I knew the second she sensed me. Her shoulders tensed, her grip on the knife tightening.

I smirked. "You done throwing tantrums?"

She spun, eyes flashing. "What do you want?"

I shrugged. "Just checking on you. You seemed a little… worked up."

Her jaw clenched. "I’m fine."

"Liar," I said again.

Her grip on the blade tightened like she was seriously considering throwing it at me.

I chuckled. "Come on, Erika. You’re better than this. What’s the real problem?"

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I don’t have time for this.”