Moonborn Heir Novel Chapter 34 – I shake my head, unable to meet his eyes. “I’ve spent my whole life hiding in the shadows, being invisible. I… I don’t know how to be anything else.” Kael’s fingers tilt my chin up gently, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You are not invisible, Talia.
You never were. You’re the most beautiful wolf in Shadow Ridge. You shine brighter than you know.” His words twist something deep inside me, a place I’ve kept locked away for so long. The intensity in his eyes is overwhelming, and I can’t look away, even as doubt whispers in the back of my mind.
“How did you know my name?” I ask suddenly, needing to ground myself, to find something tangible in the chaos of emotions swirling inside me. “At the ball… how did you know who I was?” Kael hesitates for a moment, then brushes his thumb over my cheek.
“Sabrina mentioned you,” he admits. “She told me about her ‘kind little maid cousin’ who worked so hard to help her family. As part of our pact, she asked me to give you a cleaning job here, in my mansion.” My heart twists, guilt flooding through me at the thought of Sabrina, so kind and trusting.
“She’s always been so good to me,” I murmur, glancing down. “I don’t deserve—” “Stop it,” Eira snaps in my mind, her voice sharp. “Sabrina saw you as a maid, Talia. She never imagined you’d take her place as Luna. Don’t waste your guilt on someone who never saw your true worth.” Kael’s hand slides down my arm, his touch grounding me again.
“The way Sabrina spoke about you,” he continues, his voice soft, “I could tell she knew you were special, even if she didn’t see it fully. And the moment I saw you…” His voice deepens, his thumb grazing over the pulse point at my wrist. “I knew.”
The heat in his gaze sends a rush of warmth flooding through me, my body responding in ways I don’t fully understand. His hand trails alon my arm, his fingers brushing over my bare shoulder, and my skin burns where he touches me. My breaths come faster as he leans in, his lips hovering near mine, and I’m lost in the intensity of his presence. “Kael…” I whisper, my voice trembling with equal parts longing and fear.
His lips brush my jawline, feather-light, as his hand settles on my waist, pulling me closer. “Tell me to stop,” he murmurs against my skin, his breath hot and intoxicating. “And I will.” I don’t want him to stop. My body hums with a need I’ve never felt before, every nerve alive with the pull of the bond. His hands roam lower, igniting a fire in their wake, and I feel myself leaning into him, desperate for more.
But then the doubts creep back in, cold and relentless. How can I be Luna? How can I deserve his? The weight of it crushes the heat in my chest, and I pull back sharply, my hands pressing against his chest. “I… I’m not ready,” I say, my voice breaking. The words feel like a betrayal, and shame floods
through me as I see the flicker of frustration in his eyes.
Kael exhales slowly, his hands falling away as he takes a step back, his jaw tightening. For a moment, I think I’ve ruined everything, that I’ve disappointed him. “I’m sorry,” I blurt out, my voice shaking. “I—have I disappointed you?” His eyes soften immediately, and he reaches for my hand, his grip firm but gentle. “Never,” he says, his voice steady and full of conviction. “Talia, this is our destiny. I know it’s overwhelming.
I know it’s new. But I will wait. As long as it takes, I will wait for you to trust me.” He squeezes my hand, his gaze locking onto mine. “I only want to make you happy.” His words twist something inside me, a mix of gratitude and guilt. I nod, unable to speak, and he lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. “You’re safe here,” he says quietly, his voice like a promise. “With me.” And despite the storm of emotions raging inside me, I let myself believe him, just for a moment.
THE NEXT MORNING
The morning sun streams through the tall windows of the Governor’s Mansion, casting golden light across the polished floors. The air is calm, almost serene, but my thoughts are anything ut. The events of the previous night swirl in my mind, too vivid to feel real. I’m standing in the hallway, still trying to steady myself, when the sound of hurried footsteps catches my attention.
“Talia!” Rhea’s voice calls out, frantic and sharp. I turn just as she appears in the grand entryway, her face pale, her green eyes wide with worry.
Her clothes are rumpled, her hair slightly askew, and the sight of her sends a spike of fear through my chest. Something’s wrong. “Rhea!” I hurry toward her, but before I can say anything, she wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a fierce hug.
“I’m so happy for you,” she says quickly, her voice filled with emotion. “I mean it, Talia. You deserve this. All of it. I’ve never been prouder to call you my cousin.” Her words bring a lump to my throat, and I hug her back tightly. “Thank you,” I whisper, pulling back just enough to look at her. “It means everything to me that you’re here. But…” I take her hands, noting how cold and trembling they are.
“You look worried. Rhea, tell me what’s wrong.” Her expression crumples, and she bites her lip, glancing around the hall like she’s afraid of
being overheard. “It’s Grandma,” she says, her voice breaking. “She’s not doing well, Talia. Selene…” Rhea swallows hard, her shoulders shaking. “Selene locked her in the dark room. I can’t get to her. I’ve tried everything, but they won’t let me near her.” I stagger back a step, the words hitting me like a physical blow. “What?” My voice trembles, my stomach twisting violently. “She what?”
“They’re killing her, Talia,” Rhea says, tears spilling over as her voice rises. “Grandma’s too weak to handle that kind of punishment. She needs light. She needs care. But Selene…” She shakes her head, her anger barely contained. “She’s doing this on purpose. She wants to break her. And me.” My vision blurs with tears, a mix of fury and heartbreak clawing at my chest. “No,” I say firmly, my voice stronger than I feel. “No, this isn’t happening.
She’s not going to get away with this.” I spin on my heel, my feet carrying me through the hall before I fully register what I’m doing. My wolf hums with urgency, and Eira’s voice is sharp in my mind. “Go to him. Now.” I find Kael in the study, speaking quietly with one of his betas.
He glances up as I burst through the door, his expression shifting immediately to concern. “Talia? What’s wrong?” My voice shakes as I step toward him, my hands clutching the edges of my dress. “It’s my grandmother,” I manage, barely able to hold back the sob threatening to escape.
“Selene locked her in the dark room. She’s too weak—Kael, she’s going to die if we don’t get her out.” Kael’s eyes darken, his jaw tightening as he processes my words. Without hesitation, he turns to the beta standing beside him. “Liam,” he says, his voice steady but laced with authority.
“Go to the Shadowmere estate. Find Talia’s grandmother and move her to a comfortable den near the mansion. Make sure she has everything she needs.”
Liam nods immediately, his movements brisk as he leaves to carry out the command. Kael turns back to me, his eyes softening as he steps closer, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. “She’ll be safe, Talia. I’ll make sure of it.”
The knot in my chest loosens slightly, but the tears spill over anyway. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Thank you so much.” Kael pulls me into a gentle embrace, his warmth steadying me as the weight of the moment settles over us both. “You’re mine now,” he murmurs, his voice low and soothing. “And so is your family. No one will harm her again. I promise.”
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