Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 176: A Spy

**Tiana's POV**

I tightened my grip on the dagger, the weight of it grounding me. “Why should I trust you?”

The man leaned casually against the stone railing of the bridge like we were old friends. "Because you don’t have much of a choice.” His gaze flickered behind me, then back to my face. “And because I’m not the only one who’s been watching you.”

“What do you mean?”

"It means what it means." The man’s smirk didn’t falter as he studied me, but I could see the calculation in his eyes. Whoever he was, he had been watching me for a while. He wasn’t some common thug or an opportunist looking to sell me out to the guards—he had an agenda.

I just didn’t know what it was yet.

The bridge was silent except for the distant murmur of water beneath us. The city was never truly asleep, but for now, we were alone. The guards patrolled farther down the road, their torches flickering in the night. If this was a trap, it was a careful one.

“I know what you are,” he said again, his voice even.

"Oh? And what exactly do you think I am?” I asked him, tilting my head slightly while trying to act like I was unbothered by him

His smirk widened. “A spy.”

I blinked once. That was unexpected.

He mistook my silence for confirmation. “I don’t know which pack sent you, but you’ve been sloppy.” He gestured vaguely toward the city. “There’s a sketch of you in every guard post, and you’ve already drawn attention to yourself. If you were trained properly, you wouldn’t have been caught in that mess in the alley.”

A spy.

I nearly laughed.

Of all the things he could have accused me of, that was the most ironic. A few months ago, I lived in that palace as Theo’s mate.

But now? I was no one. A fugitive. A woman clawing her way back into a world that had already discarded her once.

And this man thought I had been sent here by someone, unaware that my goal was to get revenge for my death and for Erika, whose body I now resided in. Then stop Corvin and Theo's father from whatever they were planning. Secretly, I wondered if Theo was in on whatever his father was planning.

Instead of denying it outright, I raised an eyebrow. “And what makes you think I’m not just an ordinary woman trying to survive?”

"Because ordinary women don’t fight like that. They don’t disappear into the streets when they’re being followed. And they don’t try to sneak their way into the palace under false papers.”

I kept my face impassive, though my pulse quickened. So he knows about the papers.

“How long have you been watching me?” I asked instead.

"Long enough.”

That meant at least a few days. Maybe more. Had he been there when I met Garrik? Had he seen the exchange?

I took a slow step back, testing his reaction. He didn’t move to stop me, but his posture shifted slightly—ready to intercept if I ran.

“I don’t know who you think I am,” I said carefully, “but I don’t have time for whatever game you’re playing.”

His smirk returned, but this time, it was colder. “Neither do I.”

He took a step forward, closing the space I had created. I forced myself to stay still.

“You’re trying to get into the palace,” he continued. “And you’re doing a terrible job at covering your tracks. That tells me one of two things—you’re either an idiot, or you’re bait.”

“Bait?”

“Sent here to get caught. To feed the palace false information. Maybe even to draw attention away from a real spy.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And what if I told you I wasn’t working for anyone?”

“Then I’d say you’re lying.”

Arrogant bastard.

I crossed my arms. “And what if I was a spy? What would you do?”

He hummed, pretending to consider. “Depends.”

“On?”

“On whether you’re useful.”

I furrowed my brow, trying to understand his motives. He wasn't threatening to expose me, and he wasn't demanding answers directly. That meant he either wanted something from me or was trying to recruit me. Both options were equally perilous.

I exhaled slowly, trying to appear calm. "You obviously have some theory about me. Why don't you just tell me what you really want?"

His gaze locked onto mine, unwavering. "Information."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "About what?"

"The palace," he replied. "After the selection process. The new servants. I want information on the new servants they hire."

His words caught me off guard. "You think I know something about that?"

He tilted his head, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "You're trying to get inside. That means you either already know something—or you're working for someone who does."

I hesitated, my mind racing. If he thought I was already involved in something bigger, that gave me an advantage. I could play along, and use this conversation to learn what he knew.

So I let out a small, amused breath. "And what do I get in return?"

His smirk returned. “I won't turn you in.”

I mirrored his expression. “Not much of an incentive.”

“Fine. I’ll sweeten the deal.” He leaned in slightly. “I can make sure you get picked.”

Now that was interesting.

“You have connections in the palace?” I asked.

His lips twitched. “Something like that.”

I scrutinized him intensely, searching for any sign of deception. But his expression remained genuine, his eyes sincere. Who was this man, really? A rebel fighting against the palace? A palace informant with secrets to share? Or someone with their own mysterious agenda?

I could walk away right now, cut my losses, and disappear back into the anonymity of the streets. I could try to figure everything out on my own, without his help. But the selection was tomorrow, and time was running out.

If this man could actually provide me with valuable information or assistance, it might be worth the risk. I took a deep breath, weighing my options carefully.

Finally, I made my decision. "Fine," I said, my voice firm.

His smile widened, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Smart choice," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.