Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 182: A Duel At Dawn

**Tiana's POV**

Peter's gaze met mine, sharp and piercing, yet somehow distant, as if he were staring at a stranger. For a fleeting moment, I saw something unexpected in his eyes - a glimmer of sadness, a hint of pain that seemed to come from a deep, hidden place. It was a crack in his armour, a glimpse of the person beneath the cold, hard exterior.

But before I could process what I was seeing, something strange happened. A sudden, inexplicable connection sparked between us. It was as if an invisible thread had been stretched taut, linking our bodies in a way that felt almost physical. I could feel it humming, a quiet vibration that made my skin prickle and my breath catch.

I was taken aback, unsure of what to make of this strange sensation. And judging by the faint clenching of Peter's jaw, he felt it too. For a fraction of a second, uncertainty flickered across his features, like he was caught off guard by this unexpected connection. But then it was gone, buried beneath his hardened mask, and I was left wondering if I had imagined the whole thing.

I stood frozen, my face a mask of calmness, as Alpha Roman's deep voice cut through the tense atmosphere breaking whatever happened between Peter and I completely. "Very well," he said, his words dripping with authority. "The duel will take place at dawn."

Dawn. That gave me barely any time to prepare, to gather my thoughts and focus on the task ahead. But I knew I had to be ready. I had to be prepared to face whatever lay ahead because this was my only chance and I had to do it, for my death, for Erika, Lady Althea and Cecilia.

"Until then, you will be placed under watch," Roman continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If you try to flee, you will be executed on sight. Do you understand?"

I inclined my head, trying to show a sense of respect and obedience. "I understand, Your Majesty," I said, my voice steady.

Roman waved a hand, dismissing me. "Take her to the barracks," he ordered. "She will stay there until the fight."

Two guards stepped forward, waiting to escort me away. As I turned to leave, my gaze flickered to Peter once more. His face was unreadable now, a mask of stone, but something told me that this duel was going to be far more than just a test of skill.

*+*+++*+

The barracks were colder than I remembered.

The last time I had stepped foot in them, I was still Tiana, Theo’s mate, a woman of status. A woman who had every right to walk these halls without question. Now, I was just another nameless hopeful, a servant-to-be who had somehow managed to talk herself into a duel with the Beta of the Shadowclaw Pack.

The guards led me through a narrow stone corridor, torches flickering against the damp walls. The scent of sweat and steel filled the air, familiar yet foreign. Soldiers moved about in tight formations, their conversations hushed but sharp. They spared me only a few glances, more curious than concerned.

Peter was well respected. If I lost, they wouldn’t mourn me.

We reached a small room at the far end of the barracks. One of the guards pushed the door open, revealing a simple space—bare stone walls, a wooden cot, and a bucket of water. No windows.

“You stay here,” one of the guards grunted. “Food will be brought to you later. Don’t try anything stupid.”

I nodded, stepping inside. The door slammed shut behind me, the lock clicking into place.

Alone.

I exhaled slowly, rubbing my temples. I needed to think.

Why had I felt that pull when I looked at Peter? It wasn’t attraction, not in the way I had once felt for Theo. No, this was different. It was… off. Like recognition where there should have been none. It was as if this body was drawn to him and I wondered why.

In Erika's memories that flooded my vision, I had not once sighted Peter.

It was just a man named Carlo who had betrayed her.

I paced the small room, my mind racing.

The duel at dawn. What exactly had I gotten myself into? I could fight, yes. But Peter was the Beta, a seasoned warrior. He had trained me as Tiana and he was good at it.

My body was no longer the one I had trained in as Tiana. Erika’s frame was stronger and faster, but not my body. My muscle memory had not fully adjusted to a different way of moving.

I needed an advantage.

I sat cross-legged on the cot, closing my eyes. My breathing slowed. I had trained for years and learned to fight with instinct rather than brute strength. Peter would be stronger, but if I could outmaneuver him, and anticipate his attacks, I had a chance.

Still, something gnawed at me.

Amara.

Where was she?

The thought had lingered in the back of my mind since I had seen Peter without his mating ring. Amara had been his mate, his wife. And their child—

A chill crept up my spine. When I died, the baby had barely been two months old. Now, there was no sign of Amara. No whispers, no murmurs of her whereabouts. I wanted to ask around but that would have been highly suspicious so it was best for me to try and figure it out from my stay here.

Has something happened to her? Has she left? Or worse, has Peter abandoned her and the child?

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. If Peter had left them, if he had discarded his own family, then he was a coward and I did not remember him to be a coward.

A knock at the door broke my thoughts and I sat upright quickly, my heart beating fast for some weird reason.

I stiffened a bit and then called out, “Who is it?”