The Banished Shy Luna Chapter 119

The rain hadn’t stopped since I’d shifted. It poured relentlessly, drenching everything in sheets of cold silver. My paws had pounded across mud and rock for miles, guided only by the thread of pain pulsing through the mate bond — Talon’s pain.

Every time I faltered, I could feel it again. His agony. His fading heartbeat. It was what kept me moving even when I no longer knew where I was.

When the forest finally gave way to open land, I stumbled into a forgotten cemetery. The scent of wet soil, rust, and rot clung thick in the air. My breath came in ragged bursts, the world spinning from exhaustion. But beneath it all — I smelled him.

Talon.

His scent was everywhere. Strongest near the crumbling shed that leaned against the far edge of the graveyard fence.

I didn’t hesitate. I shifted back mid-run, crashing through the half-rotted door, not caring that I was naked, freezing, or bleeding from the splinters tearing at my feet.

“Talon!” I gasped.

He was there — slumped against the wall, chained like an animal. His skin was pale, cold to the touch, his hands swollen and purple-black. Every shallow breath he took sounded like it cost him a piece of his soul.

“Talon, no, no…” My voice cracked. I crawled to him, tears mixing with the rain dripping through the cracked roof.

My fingers trembled as I gripped the iron shackles, pulling with everything I had. My muscles screamed, but something deep inside me — something primal — refused to give up.

A snarl ripped from my throat as I wrenched the chains apart. They gave way with a harsh, metallic snap.

He fell forward into my arms, limp and too light. I eased him down onto the cold dirt floor, hands already moving on instinct — checking bones, setting the fractures as gently as I could. His ribs were broken, one shoulder dislocated. His legs… gods, they were shattered.

“I’ve got you,” I whispered, pressing my palm to his chest. “I’ve got you, my love.”

The moment I reached for the bond, the pain hit like fire.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t warm. It consumed.

Every bone that had been broken in him cracked through me. Every breath that had been stolen from him burned in my own lungs. I tasted blood, and I didn’t even know if it was his or mine anymore.

I screamed — once — and then clenched my teeth, forcing the healing light to push through the darkness.

“Come on, Talon,” I whispered, voice shaking. “Stay with me. I can’t do this without you.”

A shadow fell across the doorway — movement, boots pounding through the mud. I didn’t even flinch until I heard Toren’s voice.

“Kira!”

He rushed in, soaked to the bone, eyes blazing gold before softening as he saw me kneeling there — his coat forgotten on his shoulders, his Luna bare and bleeding in the dirt beside one of his brothers.

“Wait outside,” he snapped over his shoulder to his men. They obeyed instantly.

Without another word, he stripped off his heavy coat and crouched beside me, draping it over my trembling form.

“Kira—”

I cut him off, shaking my head. “I felt the bond dying,” I rasped. “I couldn’t just sit there. I had to come.”

For a moment, he said nothing. Just looked at me with something raw and fierce in his eyes — pride, anger, fear, maybe all three. Then he nodded once, jaw tight. “Finish it, Starlight.”

So I did.

I poured everything I had left into Talon — every ounce of will, every spark of energy still burning in my veins. My vision blurred. My heart pounded like a drum in my skull.

And then — a gasp.

Talon’s body arched violently before collapsing back to the ground, air rushing into his lungs. His eyes flew open, flickering between gold and gray as he tried to move.

A hoarse cry of pain escaped him.

“Shh.” I cradled his face in my hands, my thumb brushing the dirt and blood away. His skin was clammy, his lips trembling.

“Cupcake…” His voice cracked, rough as gravel. “You— you found me.”

I smiled weakly through tears. “Of course I did, Talon. You think I’d let anyone else drag your ass home?”

He tried to laugh but winced instead. I pressed a soft kiss to his lips — a brief, trembling touch that was more promise than passion.

Behind me, Toren cleared his throat. “That’s enough. You can’t heal him anymore.”

I looked up at him, swaying slightly. “He’s still hurt—”

“And you’re half-dead,” he snapped, though his tone was more worried than angry. “I can’t carry both of you back.”

Talon groaned softly, trying to lift his head. “Toren—”

“Quiet,” Toren ordered, sliding his arms under him in one smooth motion. “You’re lucky she found you before I did. I’d have killed you for scaring her like that.”

He hoisted Talon effortlessly onto his back, turning toward the doorway.

I stood on shaking legs, pulling his coat tighter around me, watching the rain pour harder outside.

“Did you contact Tyson?” I asked softly.

Toren nodded. “He’s back with the pack. Marianne sent a message through the pack bond when you left.” He shot me a knowing look. “I knew you wouldn’t stop, so I had Tyson stay in case that imposter came back.”

I managed a faint, tired smile. “Smart move.”

He grunted. “I try.”

We stepped out into the storm together — the rain instantly soaking through my borrowed coat, the world silver and wild around us.

But then — everything stopped.

Toren froze mid-step, every muscle in his body going rigid.

Because standing just beyond the edge of the cemetery fence was him.

The imposter.

The false Talon.

He looked exactly the same — down to the smallest scar — but his eyes were wrong. Too dark. Too calm. His expression was empty, almost amused as the rain dripped from his hair.

And behind him… stood another man.

Taller. Broader. Dressed in black.

When he lifted his head, lightning cracked across the sky — and my heart stopped cold.

Because I knew that face.