Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 147: A Different Plan

**Carlo's POV**

I could not stomach the thought of killing Erika yet here I was, stuck at the crossroads because of a decision that seemed inevitable. If I refused the Alpha’s order, he was going to kill me and still kill Erika. However, if I killed her, would I be able to live with myself knowing that I had just ended the woman of my dreams.

I still remember the first training session that we had together.

Erika is a feisty and determined woman. She had stolen my heart from that first meeting we had and I knew I was willing to reject whoever the moon goddess gave as my mate if it wasn't her.

Now I was going to lose her because I had to stay loyal to Alpha Corvin.

Was there a way— any way out of this?

Then I remembered something from before I was accepted into this pack and a smile made its way onto my face.

I was going to lose Erika, but at least not to the cold hands of death.

*+*+*+*+*+*

I stood before Alpha Corvin in his private chambers, the air thick with the scent of burning wood and something else—something bitter.

His sharp eyes studied me, waiting. I had rehearsed this moment in my head over and over again, but now, standing here, the weight of my own words felt like chains around my throat.

“I’ll poison her,” I said finally. My voice didn’t waver. It couldn’t.

Corvin raised a brow, leaning back in his chair. He looked almost amused. “Poison?”

I nodded. “A rare herb—it will shut down her body’s functions and she will be dead after twenty-four hours. Let her sleep tonight and then she’ll collapse somewhere along the journey tomorrow, and your men will confirm her death. They can follow her. No one will suspect anything. They'll think it's the stress."

The amusement in Corvin’s expression flickered, replaced by something colder. He tapped a finger against his armrest. “And you’re sure it will work?”

“I know the poison well,” I lied. “It’s undetectable.”

Corvin was silent for a long time. Then, he let out a low hum.

“I’ll trust you on this, Carlo.” His gaze darkened. “But if she doesn’t die, you will finish the job yourself.”

I forced a nod, even as my stomach twisted.

This had to be flawless. Erika had to appear dead long enough to fool Corvin’s men. If they doubted for even a second, everything would be over.

I clenched my fists at my sides and exhaled slowly.

"I understand, Alpha."

Corvin waved a hand dismissively. “Then it’s done. Make sure she eats the meal. She’ll be gone by morning.”

I bowed my head and left the room, my pulse pounding.

She’ll be gone by morning.

But not in the way Corvin expects.

*+*+*+*+*+

I stood outside Erika’s chamber, my hand hovering over the door handle.

Inside, I could already hear the rustling of fabric, and the sharp clatter of things being thrown into a bag. She was packing in anger, the way only Erika could.

I inhaled deeply and pushed the door open.

Erika froze at the sound, then turned, eyes narrowed into slits when she saw me.

“What do you want?” she snapped.

I shut the door behind me. “The Alpha granted me one last request before you leave,” I said, voice calm despite the storm inside me. “To spend time with you.”

Her scoff was sharp and bitter. “Right. And you chose to use it on me? I thought you’d be busy polishing Corvin’s boots.”

The words cut deeper than she knew, but I didn’t react. I only shrugged. “I wanted to see you.”

“You’ve already seen me,” she shot back. “Now get out.”

I expected that reaction, so I just crossed my arms and leaned against the wall. “I brought dinner.”

Erika hesitated, and I saw the flicker of doubt in her eyes. She wanted to refuse, I could tell. But her body betrayed her—a tense swallow, a slight shift in her stance. She was hungry.

She turned back to her bag, continuing to shove clothes inside. “I don’t want anything from you.”

I let out a soft breath. “Erika, just sit down.”

Silence stretched between us, heavy and cold. Then, to my surprise, she threw one last shirt into her bag, exhaled sharply, and turned toward the small table.

“Fine,” she muttered. “But don’t think this means anything.”

I didn’t. But it meant everything to me.

I sat across from her and watched as she took the first bite.

The food was warm and seasoned the way she liked it. It had taken every ounce of control in me not to hesitate while lacing her meal with the poison—a rare herb that mimicked death but only forced a deep, coma-like state.

Corvin would send men after her, and they would expect to see a corpse. My only hope was that they wouldn't burn her body before she woke up.

As she ate, her expression softened slightly, the anger dimming just a little. It almost felt normal, like things hadn’t fallen apart.

For a moment, I let myself pretend.

She noticed me watching and scowled. “Why are you staring?”

I opened my mouth but hesitated. Then, I spoke the words I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to say again.

“I’ll find you one day.”

Her brows furrowed. “What?”

I reached across the table, my fingers brushing against hers. “One day, I’ll come back to you,” I said softly, voice thick with emotion. “And you’ll understand why I didn’t fight Corvin yet.”

She stiffened. “Carlo, what the hell are you talking about?”

I couldn’t explain. Not yet.

So instead, I stood and pulled her into a tight hug.

Her body tensed at first, but after a second, she relaxed—just for a moment, just enough for me to bury my face in her hair, to memorize the scent of her one last time.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect your mother but this is the best way I can protect you."

She didn’t respond, didn’t push me away, but I felt the confusion in the way she gripped my sleeve.

I closed my eyes.

When she wakes up, she’ll hate me more than ever but it was the only option I had.