Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 206: Between Two Lines

Tiana's POV

Everything around me blurred. My breathing hitched. My heart clenched in my chest, and my knees nearly buckled. It was sudden, suffocating, too much.

The warmth of Peter’s touch seeped into my skin, and I knew that I was no longer just myself. My mind was being pulled somewhere else, into something I couldn’t control.

Memories that were not mine surged to the surface. The way he had looked at me before. The way he had held me before. The sound of his voice, softer, gentler, whispering words I had never heard but somehow knew.

My fingers twitched at my sides.

I needed to breathe. I needed to think.

I needed to escape.

But when I finally forced myself to move, Peter was already watching me. His eyes had darkened, suspicion creeping into his expression.

"You just looked at me like…" He trailed off, brows knitting together. His jaw tensed.

Like what?

I forced my mouth open, grasping for words, but my voice refused to come out.

Peter exhaled through his nose, stepping back slightly, but his gaze remained locked on mine. "Talia," he said slowly, testing the name as if it didn’t quite fit. "What exactly are you hiding?"

I clenched my fists. "Nothing."

"Liar."

The word wasn’t harsh, nor was it accusing. It was just a simple statement. A fact.

Before I could scramble for a response, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Peter."

A servant.

I turned my head slightly, enough to see the man dressed in palace robes standing a few steps away. His posture was stiff, his expression unreadable.

"The Alpha requests your presence immediately," the servant said.

Peter didn’t respond at first. He was still looking at me, his gaze heavy with unspoken thoughts.

I held my breath.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, he gave a short nod. "I’ll be there."

The servant bowed slightly before turning and walking away.

Peter lingered for a moment, watching me in silence.

Then, finally, he stepped back. "We’ll talk later."

I forced a small nod, my heartbeat hammering in my ears.

And with that, he left.

Only when he was out of sight did I allow myself to breathe?

But even as I stood there, forcing air into my lungs, my hands were still trembling.

Because I knew it wasn’t over.

Peter had noticed something.

And next time, I might not be able to lie my way out of it.

I barely made it to my room before my legs gave out beneath me. My breaths were shallow and uneven. My hands trembled as I pressed them against the cool stone wall, willing the world to stop spinning.

It had been too close. Too close.

Peter had noticed something. Theo had been watching me too closely. And then there was Elara—her voice, her questions, the way she stared at me as if trying to strip away the disguise and see what lay beneath.

I swallowed hard, trying to gather myself. I couldn't afford to fall apart now. Not when I had barely managed to stay in control. Not when Erika had nearly surfaced again.

A rustling noise.

I turned sharply, my pulse spiking.

A man stood in the far corner of the room, partially hidden in the shadows. My heart lurched violently in my chest as recognition hit me like a cold wave. It was the man from the bridge who I was supposed to be spying for.

"It's you," I whispered, taking an involuntary step back.

The man tilted his head slightly, watching me. "You jump like a frightened rabbit."

My fingers twitched at my sides, but I forced my expression to remain neutral. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing urgent," he said. "You seem... unsettled. Should I return another time?"

"No," I said quickly. My voice was steadier than I felt. "Why are you here?"

"Have you gotten any information?"

I hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "The king has a secret council. They're discussing something important. I don’t know what yet, but I do know that they’ll be selecting the best warriors for something—only the most loyal ones."

The man’s expression darkened slightly. "How did I not know this?"

I shrugged. "The king wanted to plan something without loose ends. Same difference."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment, unreadable. Then he exhaled, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. "Find out more. And prove yourself. You need to be included among those warriors."

I tensed slightly. "You’re asking me to get closer to the very people who want me dead?"

"I’m asking you to do what’s necessary," he said simply. "You wanted a purpose. This is it."

A bitter taste filled my mouth, but I said nothing.

The man turned, stepping towards the door. "You’re capable, Talia. More than you know."

And then, just as silently as he had appeared, he was gone.

I exhaled slowly, pressing my back against the wall.

Prove myself. Get closer.

And risk everything in the process.

I stayed pressed against the wall long after he left, my mind spinning.

Prove myself. Get closer.

It was easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one walking on a tightrope, trapped between two lives, two names, two truths. He wasn’t the one fighting to keep a ghost from swallowing her whole.

I rubbed my hands over my face and pushed off the wall. I needed to think. I needed to move.

I stepped toward the window, letting the cool breeze hit my face. The palace was still bustling outside, warriors moving in synchronized patterns, servants hurrying about. Somewhere down there, Theo and Peter were probably still on the training grounds, sharpening their skills, watching, waiting.

I needed to be careful.

A knock sounded at the door.

I stiffened. "Who is it?"

Silence.

I turned, staring at the wooden door like I could see through it. My heart pounded.

Another knock.

I inhaled sharply and moved forward, opening it just a crack.

Peter stood there. "Talia," he mumbled.