Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 197: Erika's Body

Tiana’s POV

His words were almost suffocating.

I studied him closely, searching for any hint of deception. Was he truly concerned about whatever the King was planning? Or was this personal? A man like him wouldn’t get involved in politics out of the goodness of his heart. There had to be something in it for him.

“What does it matter to you?” I asked, my voice quieter now, probing for the truth.

His expression didn’t change. “Let’s just say I have my reasons.”

Vague. Deliberately so.

My fingers curled slightly at my sides. He wasn’t telling me everything—that much was obvious. But what was his angle? A man like him either had something to lose or something to gain.

The King was planning something, and this man wanted it stopped.

My mind raced through the possibilities. A war? A political move? A ruthless purge?

Then a more unsettling thought crept in—one I hadn’t let myself consider before. Alpha Roman and Corvin were close. If the King was planning something drastic, could Corvin be involved?

I swallowed hard.

Cecilia’s warnings echoed in my mind, Corvin was trying to bring back the first blood for selfish reasons. I remembered her explaining that he could become some kind of god if he did and that the first blood would be indebted to him.

If creatures like the first blood were indebted to Corvin and somehow he could use it to control them... I shuddered trying not to think about it.

"Were you listening to what I said?" He asked me with a raise of his brows.

I forced my expression to remain neutral while I met his gaze, blocking out the thoughts of the first blood and Corvin from my mind. “And if I refuse?” I asked him with a raise of my brows. "What happens?"

His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. It looked more like a grimace. “Then I suppose I’d have to remind the council of a few things. Like the fact that your past doesn’t quite add up. That maybe, just maybe you’re not who you claim to be.”

My jaw tightened. He was good. He wasn’t threatening me outright, but he didn’t have to. The pieces were already in place. If I refused, it would only be a matter of time before suspicion turned against me again.

He had made sure I had no choice.

I exhaled sharply. “Fine.”

His eyes darkened with satisfaction. “Good girl.”

A chill ran down my spine, but I ignored it.

“I need information about war plans, invasions, anything the King and his council are keeping quiet.” He studied me.

"If you're not a part of the council, how did you talk to council members?" I asked.

"I'm familiar with them. I'm from a noble family, not just a council member," he paused and then stared at me for a while. “You’re close to the Beta or so it seems. If anyone will hear whispers of what’s coming, it’s him.”

My stomach twisted.

Peter.

I had come here planning to manipulate him, to use him for my own goals. But this? This was something else entirely. Something far more dangerous.

The man took a step back, his presence still heavy in the room even as he neared the door. “Don’t disappoint me, Talia.”

And just like that, he was gone.

I stood there, breathing heavily, my mind spinning with too many questions and not enough answers.

What was the King planning?

And why was this man so desperate to stop it?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*

For days, Peter had been avoiding me, making my job harder.

It wasn’t obvious to anyone else, but I noticed.

During training, he kept his distance, only speaking to me when necessary. Whenever he chose to join us the warriors for meals instead of eating with the king, he sat at a different table, keeping our conversations brief. It was frustrating. Infuriating. He was pulling away, and I didn’t know why.

So when I turned and found him standing in my room, my breath caught.

Peter stood near the door, his usual guarded expression a little softer. He wasn’t wearing his armour—just a simple tunic and trousers. Without the uniform, he looked less like a soldier and more… human.

For a moment, I considered pretending not to care. Acting like I hadn’t noticed the distance between us. But I needed him.

I needed to pull him back in.

What on earth was wrong with me? Or rather Erika's body.

“You’ve been looking… different,” he finally said, his voice careful.

I folded my arms. “Different?”

“Bothered. Distracted. Distressed.”

I scoffed. “That’s rich coming from you. You’ve been avoiding me.”

His jaw tightened as he exhaled. “I haven’t been avoiding you.”

“Liar.”

Peter rubbed the back of his neck, looking away. “That’s not why I came.”

“Then why are you here?”

His gaze met mine, unreadable. “To check on you.”

I held his stare for a moment before letting out a quiet breath. Time to make my move.

I softened my posture, letting my shoulders slump just slightly. “The soldiers are giving me a hard time,” I admitted, my voice wavering just enough to sound real.

His brows furrowed. “Who?”

“It’s not just one person. It’s all of them,” I murmured, lowering my gaze like I was ashamed. “I expected them to doubt me because I’m new, but… it’s more than that. They don’t think I belong here.” I hesitated, then sighed, adding just a touch of defeat to my tone. “And maybe… they’re right.”

Peter stepped closer. “What are you talking about?”

I bit my lip, playing the part. “I have the strength, but emotionally… I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I have what it takes.”

Silence stretched between us. Then, I felt his hand on my shoulder. It was warm.

“Don’t say that,” he murmured. “You’re just human, Talia. You’re allowed to feel like this.”

I looked up at him, eyes wide, vulnerable. “I’m supposed to be strong.”