Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 168: Not For The Sake Of Revenge

**Tiana's POV**

I exhaled sharply, pushing aside my doubts. It was too late to turn back now. I unfolded my map, tracing the path ahead with my finger. Just one more day, if I kept moving. I packed up my belongings with a resigned sigh and stood up, shouldering my pack. I had to press on.

My mission had to be completed as fast as it could. Not just for the sake of revenge but for the sake of stopping Corvin's plans.

I didn't care about him bringing the first blood back— hell, I thought they deserved a chance. I cared about him wanting to use them to his advantage. To become some type of god they would be indebted to.

As I studied the route, the air around me began to vibrate with an otherworldly energy. A low hum thrummed through the ground, the trees, and the air itself, sending a shiver down my spine. I stiffened my senses on high alert. Magic. It was subtle at first, but then it suddenly began to grow slightly stronger. I wanted to think it was Cecilia but the energy of this magic was too different to be hers.

I heard a faint whisper in my ear. It was so soft that I could barely make out the words, but it sent a chill down my spine. "Tiana…" The voice was gentle, but it made me feel uneasy. I turned around quickly, looking everywhere to see who was speaking to me. But there was no one there.

I looked around again, searching the ruins carefully. But I saw nothing. No people, no animals, no signs of life anywhere. Just the old, broken buildings and the silence. It was as if the voice had come from nowhere.

The whisper seemed to fade away, but the feeling of being watched stayed with me. It was like someone was hiding just out of sight, watching me. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized that I was completely alone. And yet, I didn't feel alone. I felt like I was being watched like unblinking eyes were trained on me.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I told myself that I was just imagining things, that the voice was just the wind or my imagination. But the feeling of being watched didn't go away. It stayed with me, making me feel uneasy and alone.

I exhaled sharply and rolled my map, tucking it back into my pack. Whatever that was, whether magic or my own exhaustion playing tricks on me, I couldn’t afford to dwell on it. Shadowclaw was close. I had to keep moving.

As I stood there, a sudden gust of wind swirled the dust around me. The whisper returned, its soft voice calling out, "Tiana." I clenched my fists, a surge of defiance rising within me. "If you're trying to scare me, you'll have to do better than that," I said aloud.

The silence that followed was oppressive. A moment ticked by, then another. I turned to leave, but just as I did, a symbol etched into one of the stones flickered to life. It pulsed with a faint blue light, then vanished as suddenly as it appeared. A warning, or a sign? Whatever it was, I wasn't waiting around to find out.

I continued on my journey, the forest growing denser with every step. By midday, I spotted the first sign of civilization: a worn, hidden path that sloped downward into what I couldn't see. I followed it cautiously, my senses on high alert. I knew that Shadowclaw's borders would be guarded, and I was right.

As I stood on the ridge, I looked out at the pack's territory. A huge concrete wall surrounded the settlement, with sharp stakes pointing outward. Watchtowers stood at regular intervals, with guards keeping a sharp eye out. Even from a distance, I could see patrols moving systematically, making sure no one sneaked in unnoticed.

I was not surprised though. Shadowclaw always had a system in place, with guards and patrols working together to keep everyone safe. It was impressive.

But that made things harder for me. Sneaking in wouldn't be easy. I'd have to be careful and find a weak spot in their defenses. And even then, there was no guarantee I'd make it inside undetected. I took a deep breath, studying the layout of the territory. I needed a plan.

I crouched low, watching the guards move in their predictable patterns. They rotated in and out, their paths were relatively easy to follow—except for one spot near the western side. There, a cluster of big rocks and thick bushes created a blind spot. It wasn't perfect, but it was my best chance.

I adjusted my pack and got ready to move. I waited for the right moment when the guards near the western side turned away. Then I darted forward, staying low. Each step I took was careful, slow, and silent. I slipped through the bushes, pressing myself against the base of the wall.

I reached into my pack and pulled out a small rope with a hook. It was a tool I'd taken from Cecilia's supplies. I swung the rope twice, then threw it up. It caught on the wall. I pulled on it to make sure it was secure, then started climbing. Just as I reached the top, a voice cut through the air.

"Stop right there." I froze. Slowly, I turned my head, wondering who had caught me.

I locked eyes with a man standing on the wall. He was tall and lean, but clearly strong. His piercing green eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight. I knew right away that he was a Shadowclaw warrior and not just anyhow guard.

I had two options: fight him or run. But I couldn't do either. How did I want to run at the top of a wall? And if I fought him on the wall, it would be dangerous for both of us, moreover it would attract other guards.

As though he could read my conflicting thoughts, he smirked at me. "Took you long enough," he said.