Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 105: Stand Strong Beside Each Other

**Tiana's POV**

I woke up to the feeling of Theo’s arm wrapped around me and the feeling of his breath steady against the back of my neck. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room.

Theo stirred behind me, his arm tightening around my waist as he rubbed his jaw into my hair. “Morning,” he murmured, in his extremely deep and sexy sleepy voice.

“Morning,” I whispered back, turning slightly to face him. His eyes were half-closed, his hair tousled, and there was a softness in his expression that made my chest ache. He looked so peaceful, so unguarded, and I couldn’t help but reach up to brush a strand of hair from his forehead.

He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm before pulling me closer. “How are you feeling?” he asked

I hesitated, my mind flickering back to the dinner, to the way my father and brother had looked at me. “I’m... okay,” I said finally.

Theo nodded, his thumb tracing circles on my back. “Are you sure though,” he asked.

I smiled faintly, leaning into him. “I am."

We stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s warmth, until the sunlight grew brighter and the sounds of the castle stirring pulled us from our quietness.

Theo reluctantly let go of me, sitting up with a groan and running a hand through his hair. “We should probably get ready,” he said, glancing at the clock on the bedside table. “Breakfast with the Moonstone Pack won’t wait.”

I sighed, sitting up as well and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Do we have to?” I muttered, half-joking, though the thought of facing my father and brother again made my stomach twist.

Theo chuckled, leaning over to press a kiss to my shoulder. “Unfortunately, yes. But I’ll be right there with you.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath before standing and heading to the wardrobe. Theo followed, and we moved around each other in a familiar rhythm, getting dressed and ready for the day. It was strange, how something as simple as brushing my teeth or tying the laces of my dress could feel so grounding when everything else felt like it was spinning out of control.

By the time we made our way to the dining hall, the tension was already there. The Moonstone Pack; My father and brother were there, along with Derek and his father.

Theo took my hand as we approached the table, his grip firm and reassuring. “Stay close to me,” he murmured, and I nodded, though my eyes were fixed on my father, who was staring at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.

“Good morning,” Theo said, his voice calm and steady as we took our seats. The room was silent for a moment before the Alpha of the Moonstone Pack nodded in acknowledgement.

“Good morning,” he replied, though his tone was stiff and formal.

Breakfast was a tense affair, the clinking of silverware against plates the only sound breaking the heavy silence. I picked at my food, my appetite nonexistent, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Derek, in particular, was watching me with an intensity that made my skin crawl, though I refused to meet his gaze.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Alpha of the Moonstone Pack cleared his throat. “We’ll be leaving after breakfast,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence. “But Derek and Viktor will stay for the mating ceremony tomorrow.”

I glanced at Theo, who gave a small nod of acknowledgement. “Understood,” he said, his tone neutral. “We’ll ensure they’re well accommodated.”

The Alpha nodded, though his expression was unreadable. “Thank you.”

The rest of the meal passed in a blur, and by the time it was over, I was more than ready to escape the dining room. Theo and I walked out together, his hand still firmly holding mine, and I felt a small bit of relief as we stepped into the hallway.

“That was... something,” Theo said, his voice low as we walked.

“Yeah,” I agreed, though my mind was already racing ahead to the next challenge. The Lycans were set to arrive later that day, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to face Elara.

As if on cue, a servant approached us, bowing slightly. “Your Majesties, the Lycans have arrived.”

Theo nodded, “We’ll be there shortly.”

The servant bowed again before hurrying off, and I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. “Let’s get this over with,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.

Theo squeezed my hand, “We’ll handle it,” he said, and I nodded, though the knot in my stomach only tightened.

We made our way to the courtyard, where the Lycans were already gathered.

“Welcome,” Theo said, his voice formal as he addressed the king, queen and princess of the Lycans. “We’re honored to have you here.”

Elara’s eyes flicked to me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of angels and resentment before her expression smoothed over. “Thank you,” she said, though her tone was clipped.

Theo’s father stepped forward as he greeted the Lycans. I watched Elara closely, noting the way her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him. It was subtle, but I could tell she had realized something, likely that he had never received her letter. The thought sent a small thrill of satisfaction through me, though I quickly pushed it aside.

The rest of the welcome was a blur but the tension between Elara and Theo was impossible to ignore. She barely looked at him, her gaze cold and distant.

As the Lycans were led inside, Elara lingered for a moment, her eyes meeting mine. There was a challenge in her gaze, a silent warning, but I held her stare, refusing to back down. She was giving me the cold shoulder, but I wasn’t going to let her intimidate me.

When she finally turned and walked away, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Theo’s hand tightened around mine.

“You okay?” he asked.

I nodded, though my heart was still racing. "Yes.”