Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 205: Blood Thicker Than Bond

Tiana's POV

"Hm," Theo narrowed his eyes, moving a step closer to me so that I could feel his breath on my face. "A wanderer. You never let us know that."

I tilted my head to the left slightly. "A wanderer because I've never had a place to call home. I move through cities, towns and villages, doing off jobs. And then I return to the capital whenever my friend is on leave of palace duties."

"Is that so?" His brows were raised, assessing me and trying to look for cracks in my lie. I met his gaze steadily and his eyes locked onto mine. My heart twisted painfully as I looked deep into his eyes— this was the man I had fallen in love with, the man who had been so adamant that no matter what happened he wanted me by his side.

Memories of the coronation ceremony flashed through my mind. The man who had made promises sat there, watching as I was accused of poisoning his father. He had not cared that it could have been a set-up from his sister who has somehow grown to resent me.

Blood is thicker than water... But was blood thicker than bond?

"Why do you stare at me that way?" Theo asked, snapping me back to reality. I glanced at the bob in his throat as he swallowed hard— looking away from me.

"It's nothing," I said, my voice icier than intended. I could not deny that my heart was still beating for him, and a part of me still loved him. But how could I forget how he betrayed me after assuring me that this was my home.

He cocked his head. "You seem to have a problem with me."

"Why should I your majesty?" I inquired trying to be polite but I knew my expressive face gave me away.

"You stare at me with unveiled hatred," he said. "As though I have betrayed you."

Because you betrayed me, I wanted to scream at him badly but I kept my mouth shut.

"You're not saying anything."

"Who am I that the Alpha son will betray?" I asked him. "Even if I feel betrayed, it is not my right to be."

"And why would you feel betrayed?"

"I have been working for the good of the pack this far, but I am being accused of being a spy nonetheless. Of course, I feel betrayed, however, I do understand that you are trying to protect your pack.'

"Well, in that case. I am glad you understand."

"Darling," a sultry voice called out, walking towards us. I did not have to look up to see the face before I knew that it was Elara.

"I shall be on my way, Your Majesty," I said hastily, turning away and using my hair to hide my face. The last thing I wanted was to get Elara to recognize me as her stepsister or rather, cousin as she knew me.

"Talia Rook?" Elara's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. I froze in my tracks and turned slowly, making sure my hair hid a great portion of my face.

"Your Highness," I bowed slightly.

"You seem oddly familiar," she commented. "Like someone I have run into quite a couple of times... And maybe even spoken to," she commented. "Your voice is familiar as well."

"It is possible Your Highness," I responded, keeping my voice steady. "We might have run into each other here at the palace."

"Or perhaps away from the palace?" She asked me.

"I doubt that your highness," I said. "You are a noble woman. The only other places I've been are the trenches. You do not belong there."

"I see," she huffed. "You were discussing something just now with my husband, do you two care to share."

"It has to do with the plans my father is making love," Theo said hastily. "We want to put in our best warriors on the plan."

"Oh?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. "Well if that is the case."

"I shall be on my way, Your Highness." Hastily, I walked away from the two of them— my hair still in the way of my face. I bumped into something sturdy and nearly lost my footing, but a firm hand caught my arm before I could stumble any further.

"How do you expect to see when your line of vision is completely blocked?" Peter's voice was flat, but there was a slight edge of amusement in it. His grip on my arm was steady, warm, and grounding.

I exhaled sharply, stepping back and keeping my head down. "I was in a hurry."

"And why are you covering your face like this?" he asked, tilting his head as he observed me. "You’re acting like you're hiding from someone."

I stiffened. He was too perceptive. I dropped my hand slightly but ensured my hair still shielded most of my face. "It’s nothing."

He didn’t look convinced. His gaze lingered on me for a second longer before he sighed. "Yesterday, I—" He stopped himself.

I felt my breath hitch, but I kept my expression neutral. "You what?"

"Never mind," he muttered.

A wave of relief washed over me. Good. He wasn’t going to bring it up. I had spent the entire morning avoiding him, making sure our paths didn’t cross. If he had confronted me about yesterday, I wouldn’t have known what to say. I was just glad that Erika’s spirit had remained suppressed, that there had been no reaction from within me when I saw him.

I almost allowed myself to relax.

But then Peter reached out.

His hand barely touched my shoulder, just a light press of fingers against fabric—nothing firm, nothing intentional. It shouldn’t have meant anything.

But the moment it happened, something cracked inside me.

It was as if a dam had broken.

A sharp, painful sensation shot through my skull, and suddenly, I wasn’t standing on the training grounds anymore. I wasn’t Talia Rook. I wasn’t even Tiana.

I was Erika.