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.

a breather.” He says, grabbing my arm ling me onto the

the mat beneath me as I

sound of our thundering hearts as we recover is loud in the room, but it’s oddly

us

want me to settle down…” Atticus says, making

you aren’t getting any younger. Find a good woman. Life

that be fair to the woman?”

“I mean, you can

when my

mean… would it be fair to the woman I settle for when I am in love with someone

him. “I’m not worth it,” I say q…etly as I sit

still wait.” He sits up,

it go, I’m never going to return those feelings… don’t waste your life

“Hey, look at me.”

it? I

into his eyes, trying to keep my face

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

“Atticus…”

trying to make matters worse or use your

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

as I lay there beside him staring at the

as we recover is loud in the room,

silence between us until

Atticus. says, making me turn my head to look

Find a good woman. Life is short.” I say with

the woman?” he asks, his

mean, you can be a little

right to give him advice when my own relationship

the woman I settle for when I am

not worth it,” I say quietly

no end… I’ll still wait.” He sits up,

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

“Hey, look at me.”

I can’t deal with

into his eyes, trying to

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 think they are. You are an incredible woman,

“Atticus…”

hurting and I’m not trying to make matters worse or use your emotional state to forward my gain, but just remember, you are worth way more. There are so many men

the one I

away, ashamed that I let it

you tonight, Atticus,” I

replies softly as I

my shoes and step into one of the showers. Switching it on, I sink to the ground,

If only…

Love hurts…

plays. I want the one who doesn’t care for me, and the one who wants me… I will

voice comes into my mind, telling me that the kids are asking for me. The mind link is something she, too,

them, I get up and push the emotions

you still

Atticus asks.

report of

along with so

the Moon Dust, but the report has

Mom had been sick.

Cancer…

while… and it seemed that the poisoning around my birth

assuming it could be the man Annalise was speaking to in your pack. Gerard wouldn’t have done it

“I’ve been trying to find some clue, anything that could help. We do have footage of every New Year’s ball and I have had the tapes searched. Some files were deleted, but we are trying to recover them.

need to

was sick. Did she never mention it to you?”

she stands behind me

She never

feel like I

dark?” Jai sounds a little frustrated now, but deep down I know why she

worry me… Even though it upsets