I Am The Luna

ZAIA.

Blow after blow…

The pain in my body is screaming at me to stop, to take a break and breathe… but I don’t want to.

I refuse to.

This is a way to release the rage inside of me and it’s… empowering.

“Zaia… let’s take a break.” Atticus’s breathless voice comes as he grabs my fist, yanking me against him, and twists my arm behind my back. “That’s enough for today.” He says, looking down at me.

His hair is drenched in sweat, as is his body. I’m the same. The hairs that refused to stay back are sticking to my face and I can feel the trickles of sweat dripping down my bare stomach as we stand there chest to chest.

“No. I’m not… but if you want to go, I’ll continue with one of my guards.” I say quietly, breaking free and turning away from him, about to summon one of my men when he grips.

hold of my elbow and forces me to face him.

“Zai “There’s concern in his eyes as he

obst s me, but I refuse to let people see the cracks within me…

I raise an eyebrow and tilt my head.

“What’s wrong Atticus? Can’t you handle me?” I ask challengingly as I slowly tug out of his hold and cross my arms.

He smirks slightly before sighing and shaking his head.

“Alright then, Red, let’s go again.” He says as he adjusts his sweatpants and re-ties the string. He’s shirtless, and he’s getting a lot of attention from the other females here and a couple of the guys.

He would make a good partner. I just hope he finds the one and gets that happily ever after he deserves without being hung up over me.

“Checking me out?” he asks, cocking a brow.

“I appreciate the view, but no, I was just thinking you aren’t getting any younger. I want to see you settle down.” I say as I fall into stance. I’m proud to say I’m a fast learner and this time I make the first move.

“That won’t happen,” he replies as he blocks me

“Ok, I’m done, even if you aren’t. I give up.” Atticus says breathlessly as I pin him to the ground, I’m straddling his stomach a dagger to his throat. He raised his hands in surrender, dropping them onto the ground beside his head as he looks up at me.

Hours have passed and we are the only ones left in the training hall. I know I pushed him today, but I feel a little calmer, or maybe that’s because I’m just exhausted.

“You went easy on me, didn’t you?” I ask, tilting my head.

“Honestly? No. I didn’t because this isn’t a joke, and I don’t want you to underestimate the

enemy or a real match. Not that you don’t know how to handle yourself on the battlefield,” he says quietly, slapping the side of my thighs. ” You did good Red.”

I suddenly become aware of our position and dropping the dagger, I climb off him groaning at how achy my body is.

says, grabbing my arm ling me onto the ground

back hits the mat beneath me as I lay there beside

sound of our thundering hearts as we recover is loud in the room, but

silence between us until

to settle down…” Atticus says, making me turn my head to look over

any younger. Find a good woman. Life is short.”

would that be fair to the woman?” he asks, his smirk fading

you can be a little annoying, but you’re a

to give him advice when my own relationship is something I can’t

woman I settle for when I am in love with someone else?” his

“I’m not worth it,” I

if there’s no end… I’ll still wait.” He sits up, but I refuse to

return those feelings… don’t waste your life over me. It’s foolish.” say, about to stand up when he takes hold of my

“Hey, look at me.”

get it? I can’t deal with

his eyes, trying to keep my face

will never reciprocate those feelings, and I respect that. But you don’t have the right to say whether they are a waste of time or foolish, because that’s my choice and I don’t

“Atticus…”

not trying to make matters worse

a breather.” He says, grabbing my arm pulling me

me as I lay there beside

hearts as we recover is loud in the room, but it’s

between us until

making

any younger. Find a good woman. Life is

fair to the

you mean?” I ask. “I mean, you can be a little annoying, but

to give him advice when

woman I settle for when I am in love with someone else?” his

not worth it,” I say quietly as I

there’s no end… I’ll still wait.” He sits up, but

those feelings… don’t waste your life over me. It’s

“Hey, look at me.”

it? I can’t deal

eyes, trying to keep my face

love, and I know you will never reciprocate those feelings, and I respect that. But you don’t have the right to say whether they are a waste of time or foolish, because that’s my choice and

“Atticus…”

remember, you are worth way more. There are so many men

the

my eyes and I look away, ashamed that

tonight, Atticus,” I say

He replies softly as I

and step into one of the showers. Switching

If only…

Love hurts…

doesn’t care for me, and the

remain under the shower until Valerie’s voice comes into my mind, telling me that the kids

get up and push

sure you still want to do this

Atticus asks.

the report of Mom’s postmortem, my

several broken bones, along with so much other internal

out the Moon

Mom had been sick.

Cancer…

to this report, she’d been sick for a while… and it seemed that the poisoning around

never did find out who administered the poison back then,” I say quietly. “I’m assuming it could be the man Annalise was speaking to in your pack. Gerard wouldn’t have

and I have had the tapes searched. Some files were deleted, but we are trying to recover them. Someone should show up, the main hall

to know…”

she was sick. Did she never mention it

as she stands behind me and I shake my

never did.”

I didn’t even know

in the dark?” Jai sounds a little frustrated now, but deep down I

to worry me… Even though it upsets me; I