THE LUNA THEY REJECTED CAME BACK RUTHLESS

The Night I Was Hidden

The pain came back.

Not as sharp as before—

But stronger in a different way.

Heavier.

Like something wasn’t just trying to break through…

But was finally being allowed to.

My vision blurred for a second, and I instinctively grabbed onto Kael’s arm, steadying myself as the world around me seemed to fade.

“Lira,” he said, his voice distant now.

But I wasn’t really hearing him anymore.

Because suddenly—

I wasn’t in the room.

I was somewhere else.

Cold air hit my skin.

Sharp.

Biting.

I was outside.

Night.

Dark forest.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting pale light over everything—but it wasn’t peaceful.

It felt tense.

Like danger was already there.

I looked down—

Smaller hands.

Not mine.

Younger.

My breath caught.

“I told you, we don’t have time!”

The voice came from behind me.

Female.

Familiar.

I turned quickly.

A woman stood there, her face partially hidden by shadows, but her presence felt… known.

Close.

Important.

Fear filled her eyes.

Not for herself.

For me.

“They’re coming,” she said urgently, crouching slightly in front of me. “You have to listen to me.”

My chest tightened.

“I don’t understand,” I said—but my voice was younger, softer.

Childlike.

“You don’t need to,” she replied quickly. “Not yet.”

She placed her hands on my shoulders, her grip firm but shaking slightly.

“There’s something inside you,” she continued. “Something they must never find.”

The words echoed in my mind.

The same words.

The same warning.

“Why?” I asked.

Her expression broke for a second.

Pain.

Fear.

Love.

“Because if they do…” she whispered, “they won’t let you live.”

A distant howl cut through the air.

Loud.

Closer.

Her head snapped toward the sound, panic flashing across her face.

“They’re here.”

My heart started racing.

“What do we do?”

She didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she pulled me into a tight embrace.

For a moment—

Everything went still.

Then she whispered against my ear:

“I’m going to hide you.”

My chest tightened.

“Hide me where?”

She pulled back slightly, her eyes locking with mine.

“In a life where you won’t remember any of this.”

My breath caught.

“What?”

“There’s no time,” she said quickly. “You have to trust me.”

“I don’t want to forget you,” I said, my voice trembling.

Something in her expression shattered.

But she forced a small smile.

“You won’t,” she said softly.

A lie.

I could feel it.

But I didn’t understand why.

Her hand moved to my forehead.

And suddenly—

That same warmth surged.

Strong.

Blinding.

Everything around me started fading.

“Be strong,” she whispered.

“Even if you don’t know why.”

Darkness swallowed everything.

I gasped, my vision snapping back to the present.

My knees nearly gave out, but Kael caught me instantly.

“Lira!”

My breathing was uneven, my heart racing as I clutched onto him.

“I saw her,” I whispered.

Kael’s expression tightened.

“Who?”

I swallowed hard.

“I think…” I paused, my chest tightening again, “I think she was my mother.”

Silence filled the room.

Heavy.

Because deep down—

I knew it was true.

And if that was true—

Then everything I had just seen…

Was real.

And whatever I was running from back then—

Had finally caught up to me.