All Chapters of THE REJECTED WHITE LUNA: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Aria was released from the healer's wing on the fourth day. Elara is the name of the healer in mooncrest, she’s slightly older than the healer in Nightfang, with silver braids and a stern mouth. She handed her a clean dress and a pair of soft boots. "The Alpha asked me to give this, it’s an order. You'll start in the kitchens with only light works as your lungs are not fully healed.” Aria took the clothes. They were plain but warm Wool, it was made from pure wool instead of threadbare cotton and the boots fits perfectly. "Why?" she asked. Elara raised an eyebrow. "Why what?" "Why is he helping me? I'm more like a stranger to him. And with the record of a traitor.” "I don't question the Alpha's decisions, neither should you." She turned back to her herbs. "Kitchens are through the main hall. Ask for Gretta." The main hall of Mooncrest was nothing like Nightfang. Mooncrest hall was designed with warm wood and tall windows that let in the pale mountain light. The banners on the

A month passed. Aria's lungs had healed. Her body, thin and brittle from years of neglect, began to fill out. Gretta's meals put weight on her bones. The mountain air had cleared her chest just as Nyssa told her. The work in the kitchens built strength in her arms and back. She was still wolfless. But for the first time in her life, her body felt like it belonged to her. She found Lois at the edge of the training yard, watching the warriors drill. "I want to train." He turned. His scar pulled at the corner of his mouth. "Train?" "With the others, a physical conditioning. I've been watching the drills. I can do the exercises." "You've been here a month." "My body is healed, and the healer confirmed it this morning." Lois studied her. Then his eyes unfocused, just for a heartbeat. He was mind linking someone. Aria recognized this look because Ethan wears this most time. Alpha. The girl wants to train. In a Physical conditioning along side the other warriors. There was a pause

It’s been two weeks since Aria started her training with Nyssa and some new trainers. She trained every morning. The laps that had nearly killed her on the first day became easier and her lungs had stopped burning. Her legs stopped trembling. She was still the slowest in the yard, but the gap was closing. Nyssa ran beside her now instead of ahead of her. Sometimes they raced. Aria never won, but she made Nyssa work for it. "Your stamina is solid," Nyssa said one morning, after Aria had finished her laps without gasping. "You're ready for the next phase." "Which is?" "Combat. Actual fighting, your stamina training is over. Nyssa grinned. "I'll tell Rowan." The next morning Rowan was waiting in the training ground alone when Aria arrived. He stood near the equipment rack, his arms crossed, his golden eyes tracking her approach. There was no warriors drilling today. It was just the Alpha and the cold morning air. "Nyssa says you're ready for combat training." "I think so

Rowan was not at the training yard the next morning. Lois led the drills alone. When Nyssa asked where the Alpha was, he said the Alpha was attending to pack business. Aria noticed the absence but said nothing. She sparred with Nyssa, took her laps, and tried not to look at the empty space where Rowan usually stood. The private library was in the north tower, behind a door that only Rowan opened. The room was small and windowless. Dust coated every surface. Shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, crammed with leather bound volumes and rolled scrolls and manuscripts so old their pages crumbled at the edges. A single lantern burned on the desk. It was his only source of light. Rowan had been there before dawn. He sat hunched over a tome so large it took both hands to lift. The pages were yellowed and brittle. The script was written in the ancient times of the wolf tongue, all sharp angles and looping tails. He had learned it from his father. He had not used it in years.

Rowan returned some days after. The training yard was already full when he walked through the east gate. Warriors paused mid swing, bowing to acknowledge his presence. Nyssa's staff lowered, Lois straightened from where he had been leaning against the equipment rack. The Alpha had not been seen outside the library in nearly a week. His presence shifted the air. Aria was stretching near the far wall when he entered but she didn't stop stretching. Rowan crossed the yard. He spoke briefly to Lois, nodded at Nyssa, then made his way toward her. His footsteps were slow. The same way he approached everything. "Aria." "Alpha." Her voice was flat and formal. She finished her stretch and straightened. "I'll be overseeing your training again. Starting today." "Understood." There was a beat of silence. Rowan's golden eyes searched her face. Whatever he was looking for, he didn't find it. "I apologize for my absence. There was something I needed to attend to." "You don't owe me an expla