THE LUNA'S LAST LIE

oned

his fists clench at his sides. For a second, I think he came to get me. Perh

I can see

di

her delicate fingertips grazing his arm, she encirc

and whispers something too softly for me

eyes beco

t something more profound is stirring beneat

ever, is icy w

eserve

ine. The way Lydia's hold on him gets tighter is something I c

fuse

body screams from pain,

not don

g smile, she take

r Se

ext word, I can already se

ways too tender. But now? He is no

ds my gaze.

e may notice the

he wil

another man's

air out of my lun

toward me, a flash

at right,

es. Flicker

rotection. My infant. His infan

eak, but noth

den pain shoots

ilver blazing brighter and hotter. I can

a gr

ng is

is delivered

er lov

art f

voice

ran

ed I would

at the edges of my

not

the air like ash'

ue to reverberate in my

ose are not

ally

eyes, her presence around Kieran

g everyth

the room tilts. I push myself to stand up st

o break. For her

n ignores me.

"She believed she could trick you, Kieran. She might

le. Lifting a delicate hand, sh

the truth now

hesitation. Seldom the

eep

chy, but I stand my ground. "Avoid letti

ens. His hands tighten. S

ighs af

ty as she shakes her head. That is the issue with you. Despera

ughter. She is hav

eve that Kieran would pardo

air. What c

ep q

e turns to face Kieran. "Kieran, you shouldn't feel

ick to m

ives me a look. L

owever, are

hat, he

It's not his words. Th

nty. I was misled by her. Played me like a child.

e ice for the first time a

And now she

iles mor

. At last, she

will bear the co

Past Cras

step closer. She looks at me like I'm some piti

ou a little se

y above a whispe

ver supposed

s out of my

always meant

us laugh slips

now,

cracks dee

Anything more pro

in check, my wolf stirs feebly, bu

ow softer as she t

g because of her. Pai

s shake. There is a w

agree?" Lyd

ong pause b

astly

last

way and my e

hear Lydia

body, I come to the terrible realizat

ht

chilly chains, but I har

ear Kieran's

etraye

lied

w she w

ny clue that he doesn't think the po

ne, though. Co

odest yet triumphant. She's accomplishe

hands shake.

It is stil

let him fa

a chain, brushing against hi

." She has a gentle, enticing voice. "E

heavily on me an

s a hint of sharpness in h

and what

own th

we're having

s there and about to come o

say anything, L

n't waste your time." She will say anything to

tighten like a leash a

othing bu

g through me, I t

ied to yo

words escaped my lips. Uncooked.

Kieran

ry strong. S

ee it,

also aw

erce his wrist as

he cautions, "She's trying to confuse

silence i

king as my heartbeat

ath those golden eyes,

makes

st

at my throat

eaking

to cause me to freeze, bu

him. Watching to s

't, t

fuse

keep me in the dark and whisper pro

her voice cutting ri

o

fingers

o look at hi

uietly

nge o

er. A h

re of it. And she

ach. "That's the reason she deceived you for so l

enches in

never did. Similar to how she por

opped between

n fre

become

ha

ms, her e

s shocked. I assumed you were awar

rigi

is a

tch as he releases h

like a sickness. T

head, observin

idn't he?" she considers. "Maybe that'

r "Perhaps that's why

ead silence

change befor

n bac

eadable substance, and his expression

adva

, honey. "She is merely a disgrace to your heritage

next statemen

he only l

e that follows: "Do wh

miles b

universe

t, Kieran tu

e

o move as soon

side as someone sla

she hisses, "You stupid, pathetic girl

re the