Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 180: A New Approach

**Tiana's POV**

Alpha Roman's words hung in the air like a challenge, making everyone feel super uncomfortable. I caught two girls beside me exchanging nervous glances. Their breathing quickened, and their shoulders tensed. They knew something. Just like I did.

The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of tension. It was like everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see what would happen next. The guards lining the hall stood frozen, hands resting on their sword hilts. They were waiting, watching, ready to pounce if anyone made a wrong move.

Then, the sound of boots echoed off the marble floor, breaking the silence. Peter, the Beta, stepped forward, a stack of papers in his hands. He wore the traditional black and silver uniform of the King's Guard, looking all serious and official. But my mind kept going back to the one thing missing - his mating ring. My heart twisted with a mix of concern and curiosity. What had happened to Amara? And why was Peter no longer wearing his ring?

Where was Amara?

Where was their child?

I still remember their baby had been just two months old on the day of my death. Amara had been radiant, beaming with happiness but unaware Layla was angry at her.

Another thought crossed my mind, did all of this suddenly have to do with Layla? My death... Amara...

I shook my head. I will find out about Amara later. I had to deal with my present.

I pushed my thoughts aside and focused on what was happening. Peter's voice was firm and commanding as he said, "Your papers." The girls handed over their documents one by one. I carefully took out the papers I'd taken from Garrik and handed them over.

The first girl's papers were closely examined by a noblewoman with sharp eyes. She frowned and said, "These seals don't match our registry." The girl looked scared, and I could see the panic in her eyes. Before she could even say anything, a guard stepped forward and took her away. The same thing happened to the second girl. Her arm was grabbed, and her papers were taken from Peter's hands. I watched as they were dragged toward the big doors at the end of the hall.

They struggled, but it was no use. The nobles didn't even react. This was clearly something that happened often. It was normal, and it was scary.

This was just another day in Alpha Roman's court. I clenched my fingers around the folds of my dress, my heart racing. I knew I had only seconds before it was my turn.

Then, Peter's gaze locked onto me. His eyes scanned my face, and my posture, and I felt like he could see right through me. "You look like a fighter," he said, his tone casual, but his eyes piercing.

My breath caught in my throat. This was my chance. I slowly let out my breath, lowering my gaze just enough to seem nervous, but not guilty. Then, I spoke up.

"Your Majesty, I have a confession." The room fell silent like everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see what I would say next...

The nobles stopped whispering, and the room fell silent. Theo's head jerked up, his eyes burning into the side of my face like he was trying to read my mind. Layla raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued, a small smile playing on her lips. Peter's expression turned dark, his jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing into slits. And Alpha Roman leaned forward, his eyes fixed intently on me, his gaze piercing through me like ice.

"Go on," he said, his voice low and commanding, sending a shiver down my spine.

I took a deep breath, trying to look nervous, trying to convince them that I was just a scared, timid girl. "You're right, the servant selections are sometimes used as a way to get into the palace," I said, my voice trembling slightly, just enough to seem believable. "I wanted to get into the palace too."

Layla let out a mocking laugh, a sound that sent a surge of anger through me. Peter's jaw twitched with anger, his eyes flashing with warning. Alpha Roman remained silent, his cold gaze piercing through me like he was trying to see into my very soul.

I swallowed hard and kept going, trying to spin my web of lies. "Because, deep down, I've always been a fighter," I said, trying to sound convincing, trying to make them believe me. "I want to prove myself, to show that I'm worthy of serving the palace."

"People always think they are worthy," Theo said with an eye roll. "What makes you any different from those? And worthy in what way? Worthy enough to wash dishes?"

I let my shoulders tremble, just a little.

"My best friend was a soldier. He taught me how to fight whenever he was home from training, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps."

I paused, letting a beat of silence pass, before adding in a softer voice—

"But he died."

I caught the subtle shift in Alpha Roman's expression, a flicker of interest that sparked in his eyes. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms to keep my emotions in check.

"During the rogue attacks," I continued my voice barely above a whisper. The reaction was immediate. The nobles stiffened, their faces pale and even the guards who usually had very impassive faces exchanged nervous glances. Theo's expression turned guarded, his eyes narrowing. Alpha Roman's fingers stopped tapping, his gaze fixed intently on me.

Only the families of fallen soldiers had been told the truth about what happened at the borders. For a simple servant girl like me to know this secret? It meant I was telling the truth. Or at least, that's what they thought.

I kept my head bowed, pretending to be overcome with emotion. "It was all hushed up, I know. The truth about the new rogue species. But I found out anyway." I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "I saw his rashes.”