The Truth about the Barren Luna

I could still catch the sharp scent of herb clinging to my skin even after I'd changed back into my clothes. I ran a hand over my face as I stepped out of the Healer Sanctum. The healer's verdict echoed in the hollows of my mind.

"This is spirit-drawn depletion. You need to rest, eat properly and take care of yourself."

I'd nodded, but we both knew rest wasn't something I could claim right now. My life was unraveling like a frayed bond-thread and stopping to patch it seemed impossible.

By the time I reached my den, exhaustion was a stone lodged in every muscle. My legs felt heavy, my arms were weak and my head pounded from the lingering dizziness. I gripped the doorknob for a second before turning it, bracing myself for whatever awaited me inside.

What I did not expect was to find my personal nightmare standing in the heart of my kitchen, Kaia.

At that time, she used my handkerchief as a napkin for his dirty hands. She also acted as if she owned the place.

She hummed a cheerful melody as she stirred something in a pan, moving around the room as if she lived there. The scent of honeyed meat instantly filled the air, but instead of being consoling, it was sickening.

Raiden stood beside her. He was leaning against the stone bar while looking as comfortable as ever. My gaze locked on the familiar cloth around his waist.

Our old bonding handkerchief, a foolish thing we'd claimed together during the last moon gathering. Something that once held meaning; something we used to joke about. Now, seeing him using it while standing next to her made my stomach churn.

They hadn't noticed me yet. For a moment, I considered leaving. So, I turned around and pretended I hadn't walked into this mock-den setup they'd created.

Still, something inside me snapped. My satchel hit the floor with a heavy thud and the noise shattered the cozy illusion they had built.

Finally, their heads lifted.

Raiden shook his head after giving me a fleeting glance. "You look awful."

My mouth fell open slightly as raw disbelief surged through me. That was the first thing he had to say? Not, 'Where have you been?' Not, 'Are you unharmed?'

Just another complaint and another cut.

Kaia turned with a practiced look of concern, though the smirk tugging her lips betrayed her. "Freya! You're finally back. We were just talking about you."

I clenched my jaw as I resisted the urge to snap at her. "I can tell."

Raiden sighed and set down his Moonbrew. "You didn't mention going anywhere."

I folded my arms tightly. "I was unaware I required your leave."

His eyes narrowed, but he didn't push. He likely assumed I'd been off brooding somewhere—unaware I'd spent the night under a healer's care, drained and lightheaded because of the near-death experience that I had yesterday.

Kaia wiped her hands on my handkerchief and flashed a bright smile. "We were just making breakfast. Thought I'd do something sweet."

"In my kitchen?" I asked coldly. "Using my handkerchief?"

She glanced down and let out a light laugh. "Oh, this? I just grabbed the first thing I saw. Hope you don't mind."

Mind? I wanted to tear it off her and toss it into the firepit.

Raiden groaned, as though my presence was the problem. "Freya, don't start. She's trying to be nice."

I scoffed, my gaze cutting between them. "You really don't see how this looks, do you?"

Kaia suddenly clapped her hands together. "Oh! That reminds me. Freya, you must come to my moon-birth celebration next week."

I stared at her. "What?"

She nodded. She was all too pleased with herself. "I insist. It'll be a great night. We'll celebrate, have a few drinks and just enjoy ourselves. Right, Raiden?"

He barely looked at me before taking another sip of his moon brew. "It's up to you."

Up to me? As if my decision mattered at all.

I should have refused. Should have told her precisely where she could bury her false invitation.

But something in her smug gaze, the self-satisfied glint in her wolf-bright eyes, gave me pause. She wanted me to refuse. Wanted me to howl my outrage and run, proving once more that I had no place in this picture they were painting.

So I offered a thin, tight smile. "Very well. I will come."

Kaia's expression flickered for the briefest moment before she recovered. "Perfect."

Raiden took a quick look at me. I couldn't figure out what was on his mind, but he said nothing. He had absolutely no idea what he had just agreed to, nor did Kaia.

But I did. Because I was already done playing their game.