“The Luna's Awakening”

Chapter 2: Tangled Lies

Kiera’s hands trembled as she stared at the dark screen of her phone. The words Maya had spoken echoed in her mind like a haunting chant. "I’ll make sure Kiera never has a place in this world again."

She stumbled backward and hit a tree, the ground beneath her feet seemed to tilt. The weight of treachery weighed heavily on her chest. Perhaps, just possibly, she had believed that Xavier was still inside the guy who had loved her, but now she knew he was lost.

Reign's presence by her side seemed to be the only thing calming the tempest that was raging inside of her. “Did you not see it?” His voice was low and soft, yet there was something predatory about it that made her heart race.

Kiera's fingers tightened around her phone, causing her knuckles to turn white. She gazed at Reign for a while, her emotions so conflicted. “What’s your angle, Reign?” she spat, struggling to keep her voice steady. “Why are you here?”

Reign's mouth twisted into a sly smile. "Isn't it clear? You need someone who recognizes your value, which is why I'm here.” He moved forward, bringing them closer together. “Xavier doesn’t see you, Kiera. But I do.”

His words were like a balm to the open wounds Xavier had left behind, but Kiera wasn’t sure if that made Reign any less dangerous. She met his gaze, the sharp edge of her defiance cutting through the air. “I don’t need your help.”

Reign’s eyes darkened. “Oh, you don’t? Then why are you standing here, alone, in the middle of the woods? Why aren’t you with him? Still holding out hope for an unattainable love?

The sorrow swirled beneath the surface, but she wouldn't let him see it. Her heart twisted horribly in her chest. “I’m done hoping for anything from Xavier.”

Reign studied her for a long moment, as though weighing the truth of her words. “Then why does it still hurt?” His voice lowered as he c****d his head. "Why does being done hurt so much?"

The reality was like a kick to the face. She had loved him, and in spite of everything, she had thought that he would return the favor, which is why it stung. Even as it was gradually eroded, she had held onto that optimism for years. She let out a trembling breath and closed her eyes. "I'm not sure," she muttered.

"Let me show you something else now." Reign stepped closer, his hand brushing hers lightly. His touch was warm, and Kiera couldn’t ignore the way it made her skin tingle.

She pulled her hand away sharply. “What are you talking about?”

But Reign wasn’t finished. In the distance, he glanced at the mansion where so many of her dreams had once taken place. "You are aware of Maya's potential, aren't you?" His voice was low, a soft growl beneath the surface.

“Tell me you’re not going to lecture me about her,” Kiera snapped, stepping back. “I’ve had enough of her already.”

“I’m not lecturing,” Reign replied smoothly."I'm just being honest with you. Maya will not give up.She wants everything Xavier has, and now she’s using him to get it. She’s dangerous, Kiera. And she’ll tear everything apart if you let her.”

“What do you want from me, Reign?” Kiera demanded, frustration bubbling over. She was tired of being manipulated. Tired of always being the one who needed saving. She wanted to feel in control, just once.

“I want you to stop fighting me,” Reign said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, full of urgency. “Let me protect you. I can give you the future you deserve. Not Xavier, not Maya, but you.” His eyes bore into hers, a fire burning beneath the calm façade.

Kiera shook her head."I don't require protection from anyone."

Reign's countenance briefly stiffened, but he immediately covered it with a chilly grin. “You think you can face her on your own? You think you can face him on your own? You're pregnant, Kiera. You're carrying a child that might as well be the spark for the next war.” He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming."Whether you like it or not, you are bound to him."

The mention of the baby made her cringe, and she felt a twinge of sorrow. Her child. The one thing she had left from Xavier.

“I know you’re scared,” Reign murmured, voice softening. “I know you’re hurt. But I can be the one to help you rise above this. I can give you a future where you’re not a second choice.”

Kiera swallowed hard, torn between the offer he was making and the memories of what she had lost. “And why should I trust you?” She shot him a look of suspicion, her voice tight.

Reign’s lips curved into a slight, knowing smile. “Because I know exactly what you’re worth, Kiera. And unlike Xavier, I’m not afraid of your power.”

The words struck a chord deep within her, though she refused to admit it. “Power?” Kiera repeated. "What do you mean by that?"

"You haven't been paying attention to it, have you?" Reign asked, his voice more insistent now. “That feeling inside you. The one that wakes up when you’re angry. The one that flares when you’re in pain. It’s power, Kiera. Your power. You’ve got blood in you that no one expects—royal blood. And once you accept it, everything will change.”

She blinked, the shock of his words hitting her harder than she had expected. “Royal blood? You’re saying I’m some sort of—”

“Exactly,” Reign cut in, voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re the key to uniting the packs. You have a role to play. A destiny. And if you let me help you unlock it, you’ll never have to stand in Xavier’s shadow again.”

The realization hit her hard. The faint whispers from her past, the strange pull she felt sometimes—it all made sense now.

But there was no time to process it. Kiera’s head snapped up as a rustling sound cut through the air. Her heart skipped a beat.

Someone was coming.

Before she could react, Reign stepped in front of her, his posture shifting to one of alert readiness. “Stay behind me,” he growled under his breath.

Kiera didn’t have time to protest. A figure came out of the trees, and she took a step back, her pulse pounding as the rustling increased in volume.

Xavier.

She stepped back as a person emerged from the trees, her heart racing as the rustling grew louder.

“Kiera…” His voice cracked slightly, and for a second, it almost sounded like he was pleading.

But Kiera was done pleading. She was done waiting for the love he couldn’t give.

She responded, "You have nothing more to say to me," in a tone as stern as stone.

Xavier stepped nearer, yet he winced as if her words had hit him in the body. “I need to talk to you. About Maya.”

“No,” Kiera interrupted, her voice cutting through the air. “I’m done with you, Xavier. I’m done with your lies.”

Reign stepped forward then, standing protectively between Kiera and Xavier. “I think it’s time you left,” he said, his tone cold and commanding.

Xavier’s eyes flashed, the tension between them thick enough to snap. “This isn’t over, Kiera,” he warned, his voice low. “I’ll fix this. I swear to you, I’ll make it right.”

Kiera didn’t believe him—not anymore.

“You had your chance,” she said quietly, “and you ruined it.”

The words hung in the air as Xavier’s gaze hardened.He remained silent. Kiera was left standing there, her chest constricted by the weight of all that had just happened, as he simply turned and left.

With an unreadable expression, Reign gazed at her. "Are you prepared for the next step?"

With a confused heart, Kiera gazed after Xavier's retreating body. But as she turned back to Reign, the resolve in her chest solidified.

She was ready.

As the tension between Kiera and Xavier hung in the air, a voice echoed in the distance. A voice Kiera knew all too well.

“Maya’s not done with you yet, Kiera.”