Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 68: My Family

**Tiana's POV**

The sun was barely up, but the training ground was already alive. Peter has left me in Fiona's hands completely today as he has several important things to do and did not have the time to coach me.

I tightened the wraps around my hands, my fingers trembling slightly from the last set of drills that we had just finished.

“Still standing, Tiana?” Fiona said in a teasing tone. She was leaning against the fence, her arms crossed and that knowing smirk on her face.

“Barely,” I shot back, trying to sound less tired than I felt.

“Well, don’t get too comfortable. You’re still sparring with me today,” she said. "Let's see what you've got."

I swallowed hard. Sparring with Fiona was like trying to run faster than a horse, in other words, it was impossible. Fiona was so skilled at All of this. “Go easy on me. I’m still recovering from yesterday,” I joked, though we both knew I didn’t mean it.

Fiona grinned. “No chance. You’re here to learn, not take breaks.”

I stepped forward raising my fists. “Fine. Let’s see if I can finally take you down.”

“Big talk for someone who spends more time on the ground than on their feet,” she said with a laugh.

Fiona punched me quickly, aiming for my ribs. I dodged the punch and tried to hit her back. But Fiona was too good and blocked my punch easily. "You're quick," she said, "but your feet are all over the place." I tried to stand better, but Fiona didn't give me a chance. She kicked my legs out from under me, and I fell to the ground.

“Guard up,” Fiona said, extending a hand to pull me up. “If this were a real fight, you’d be out.”

I groaned, brushing the dirt off my pants. “You love reminding me.”

“It’s my job.”

We kept fighting, round after round. Each time, I got more and more tired. My muscles hurt and begged for a rest, but I wouldn't give up. Fiona's movements were amazing though. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't match her speed and skill.

“Don’t just react,” she said after knocking me down for the third time. “Think ahead. Predict what I’m going to do next.”

“Easier said than done,” I muttered, pulling myself back to my feet.

“Then try harder,” she smirked but there was a teasing tone in her voice.

By the time the session ended, I was drenched in sweat, my legs barely holding me up. I dropped onto the nearest bench, gulping down water like my life depended on it.

“Not bad today,” Fiona said, walking past and clapping me on the shoulder. “Still sloppy, though.”

“Thanks for the encouragement,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

“You’ll get there. Eventually,” she said with a grin looking annoyingly fresh compared to how I felt. "At least you survived,” she teased, handing me a towel.

“Barely,” I muttered, wiping the sweat off my face.

She sat on the bench beside me, “So,” she started, “how was it riding with Theo the other day?”

I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. “It was… fine. It went pretty well, actually,” I said, trying to sound neutral.

Fiona’s eyebrows shot up. “Pretty well? Come on, spill.”

I sighed, giving in. “We rode on the same horse.”

Her grin widened. “On the same horse? That’s so cute.”

I groaned, feeling my face heat up. “It wasn’t like that. Besides, I kind of embarrassed myself.”

She tilted her head. “Embarrassed yourself? How?”

I hesitated, the words feeling heavy in my mouth. “I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

Fiona blinked, then laughed in disbelief. “Wait, seriously? You don’t know how to ride? No offense but are you really less privileged?"

"No. My father was actually an influential person but..." I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “I wasn’t allowed to ride after I turned six. My mom died that year and things became different."

Fiona’s teasing smile faded. “I’m not asking you to tell me anything about your pack or your past, but why would your family stop you from riding?”

“My father was the beta of his pack,” I said, my voice quieter now. “We had everything—a big house, servants, stables full of horses. But after my mom died…” I trailed off, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“After your mom died?” Fiona prompted gently.

“My father, brother and stepmom didn’t think I deserved any of it,” I admitted. “She made sure I stayed out of the way. Horses, lessons, friends—it was all taken away. I had to do chores all day."

Fiona was quiet for a moment and Then she stood, pulling me up with her. “Come on.”

I frowned. “Where are we going?”

“To the stables,” she said firmly. “I’m teaching you how to ride.”

*+*+*+*+*+

The stables smelled of hay and leather when we got there.

“Pick one,” Fiona said, gesturing to the horses.

I hesitated, feeling out of place. “They’re all so… big.”

“That’s kind of the point,” Fiona said with a grin.

Eventually, I settled on a sleek black mare. “This one,” I said, my hand brushing gently against her nose.

Fiona nodded approvingly. “Good choice. Her name’s Midnight.”

She showed me how to saddle the horse, guiding my hands as I fumbled with the straps. Once Midnight was ready, Fiona helped me into the saddle.

“Okay,” she said, adjusting the stirrups. “Now, hold the reins like this.”

I mimicked her grip, feeling awkward. “Like this?”

“Close enough. Now, give her a light nudge with your heels.”

Midnight moved forward, and I gripped the saddle tightly, my heart racing.

“Relax,” Fiona called out. “She can feel your nervousness. Just breathe.”

Easier said than done. But as the minutes passed, I started to get used to it.

We spent hours riding around the field, Fiona laughing as I did a mini celebration every time I managed to steer Midnight correctly.

“You’re a natural,” she said eventually, her tone warm.

I smiled, forgetting that my muscles had been burning earlier during training. “Thanks for this.”