The Banished Shy Luna Chapter 115

The basement was warmer than I expected — dimly lit, thick with the mingling scents of earth and wolf and candle wax. It wasn’t fancy, but it was safe.

The cubs huddled together on cots and blankets, their small eyes wide and tired, their mothers murmuring soft reassurances. The fear from earlier had settled into something quieter — the heavy silence that followed uncertainty.

I carried a stack of folded blankets in my arms, the twins trailing behind me with pillows and jugs of water. “Make sure everyone’s comfortable,” I said softly. “They need rest more than anything.”

“Yes, Luna,” Shyanne said, her voice gentle as she knelt to help one of the younger mothers. Marianne was already organizing the bedding like she was running a small military operation — efficient and precise.

I set the blankets down on an empty cot, then turned to help a little girl no older than six. Her hair was braided messily, her eyes watery but curious as she hugged a small cloth doll to her chest.

“You okay, sweetheart?” I asked quietly.

She nodded shyly. “My dolly’s scared.”

I smiled and knelt beside her. “Well, let’s make sure your dolly has a blanket, too.”

Her face brightened as I tucked the doll in beside her, smoothing the tiny scrap of fabric over its body. “There,” I said softly. “Now you can both get some rest.”

She smiled, her tiny hand brushing mine. “Thank you, Luna.”

The title still made something stir deep in my chest — pride, humility, maybe even disbelief. “You’re welcome, little one.”

I stood, turning to help another family when one of the mothers — a woman with silver-streaked hair and sharp eyes — stepped forward and gently took my wrist.

“Luna,” she whispered, glancing toward the cubs before lowering her voice. “Have you unlocked the second channel?”

I frowned slightly. “The second what?”

She studied me for a long moment, as if deciding whether I was ready for the truth. “The second power of channeling,” she said softly. “Most Lunas never reach it. It allows you to look into the mind of your mates — to see what they see, feel what they feel. It’s how you find them when the bond weakens or when they’re in danger.”

I blinked, my pulse quickening. “You’re saying I can see through their eyes?”

She nodded once. “If the bond is strong enough.”

Her words hit me like lightning.

The motel. That night when I saw the flashes through their eyes — the movement, the fear, the tension. I hadn’t imagined it. I had been seeing through them. Through their eyes.

“I’ve done it before,” I murmured, more to myself than to her. “At the hotel. I thought I was just imagining it, but…”

She gave a small smile, knowing. “You were channeling, Luna. The second gift. You’ve had it all along.”

I swallowed hard, a mix of awe and dread settling in my chest. “Thank you,” I said quietly. “Do you need anything else before I go?”

She shook her head. “We’re safe here. Go take care of your mates.”

I nodded, squeezing her hand before moving to find the twins. “Shyanne, Marianne — with me.”

We made our way back upstairs, my footsteps echoing softly in the quiet hall. Every shadow felt heavier now, every heartbeat louder. Once we reached the main floor, I double-checked the locks, the windows, the drawn curtains. No movement. No sound from outside.

Finally, I turned to them. “Everyone’s safe. For now.”

Shyanne tilted her head. “So what’s next?”

“I need to channel again.”

Both twins froze.

Marianne blinked, her brows furrowing. “You what?”

I exhaled, trying to steady my tone. “The woman downstairs told me about the second power — how a Luna can look through her mates’ eyes, see what they see, feel what they feel. If I can tap into that, I can find Talon.”

Shyanne’s eyes went wide. “That’s—” she paused, then grinned faintly. “Actually kind of brilliant.”

Marianne, however, did not look impressed. “That’s insane.”

I turned to her. “It’s necessary.”

She crossed her arms. “You’ve already pushed yourself past your limits, Kira. You healed half the pack, you channeled at the burial, and you barely recovered from the explosion. You’re running on fumes.”

“I don’t have a choice.” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but the ache in my chest made it hard to soften it. “My mates are out there — one of them possibly possessed or controlled by something I don’t understand. I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

Marianne sighed, rubbing her temples. “You’re impossible.”

“Stubborn,” Shyanne corrected with a grin. “And kind of badass, honestly.”

I gave her a tired smile. “I’ll take it.”

Marianne’s gaze softened, though worry still flickered in her eyes. “Fine. But we do this right. You need to be somewhere safe — somewhere grounded.”

Shyanne nodded. “Toren’s office. It’s warded and close to the back door. If something goes wrong, we can get you out.”

We moved quickly down the hall. The estate was eerily quiet now, the air humming faintly with tension and magic.

Toren’s office sat just off the dining room, its door made of dark oak and lined with carved lunar symbols. Inside, the space smelled faintly of cedar and smoke, the fireplace still glowing with dying embers.

The twins helped me clear a space on the couch. Marianne fetched a blanket while Shyanne adjusted the lamps so the room was dim but not dark.

“Alright,” Marianne said quietly, her tone resigned but steady. “Lie down.”

I nodded and eased myself onto the couch, the soft leather cool against my skin. My heart pounded hard enough to make my hands tremble, but I forced myself to close my eyes.

The twins stood on either side of me — one hand each on my shoulders, grounding me.

I took one last deep breath. “If this works… I’ll see what he sees.”

Shyanne squeezed my arm. “Then let’s bring him home.”

And as the house went still around us, I reached for the thread — that thin, trembling bond that tied me to Talon — and let the world fade away.