Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 232: Painting Theo As The Villain

Tiana's POV

I almost fell backwards. My legs felt weak, and my heart was pounding too hard. What were they really planning that I was supposed to be useful for? What did all of this mean?

I had always believed Shadowclaw was just about protection. We were trained to defend our land, keep our people safe, and follow orders. That was it. Simple and clear. But now I was hearing something else that meant Romans actions were not for the pack's benefit. After all, if it were he would not be so concerned as to whether I would be interested in their plans.

Something was very, very wrong.

My hands were still trembling as I stepped away from the hidden space where I had been listening. I tried to calm my breathing, but it felt like my chest was too tight. I kept my head down as I walked, passing by the guards. They nodded and said kind things, wishing me a safe journey, but I barely heard them. Their words felt far away.

My horse stood at the stables, she was already saddled up by the stable boy and waiting patiently near the gate.

But then, something happened that made my body freeze.

In the outer courtyard, just before the main gate, I saw Viktor and Elara.

I stopped walking immediately and quickly ducked behind one of the thick stone columns nearby. My heart jumped into my throat. I peeked just enough to see what was happening.

They were close. Too close.

Viktor’s hand was gently resting on her stomach—the one carrying the child. Then, to my complete shock, he leaned in and softly kissed it. It wasn’t just a friendly gesture. It was very intimate and personal.

I felt frozen in place like I couldn’t move or breathe. This couldn’t be happening.

“You’ll be a strong mother,” Viktor said softly. “And he’ll grow up proud,” he added.

Elara smiled at him. She placed her hand over his like they were sharing something sacred.

“He’ll know his real father is not a madman,” she said gently, “even if no one else does.”

I stared at them in disbelief.

This couldn’t be real. But it was.

Viktor was the father of her child.

Not Theo.

Not the Alpha everyone believed would be the father of the heir.

It was Viktor.

My world tilted. It felt like the ground underneath me had moved without warning. I grabbed onto the stone beside me to stay upright. My mind raced and my heart was breaking for Theo. I was certain he was trusting Elara.

“You’re sure his father still thinks it’s Theodore’s?” Elara asked. "I feel like he's been looking at me oddly."

“Yes,” Viktor said. “Roman believes everything. He’s easy to fool. He actually thinks we and Shadowclaw are allies. But he has no idea what’s really coming. Once I’m able to take over Moonstone, both packs will be under our control.”

Elara looked serious. “So we wait?”

“For now,” Viktor replied. “When the baby is born, that’s when we move.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I didn’t want to believe it. But the truth was right there, unfolding in front of me.

Everything was a lie.

My father. My brother. Elara. They were all part of this plan. They were using everyone—playing some secret game where real people were just pieces to move around.

Roman, our Alpha, was just one of those pieces. He didn’t even know he was being used.

And Theo?

Did he know any of this?

What about Corvin, Elara’s father? He had to be involved too. There was no way he didn’t know that his daughter was pregnant for my brother.

It all made sense now, and yet none of it did. It was too much.

I slowly stepped away from the stone wall, each breath feeling heavier than the last. I wanted to shout. To run over and demand the truth from them. I wanted to scream in their faces.

But I didn’t. I couldn’t.

Not yet.

This plan was too big. This secret was too dangerous so I had to play my cards right.

I turned and walked toward my horse one more, mounting her and pulling the reins so that she moved forward.

They all thought they were going to ruin Theo and make him a villain? What a joke. I was going to uncover the truth. No matter how hard it was to hear. No matter how much it hurts.

Even if I had to destroy every lie that stood in my way.

*+*+*+*+*+*++*+

The road ahead was quiet, except for the steady sound of my horse’s hooves hitting the dry dirt. I sat on the saddle with a straight back, letting the reins hang loosely in my hands. My horse walked at her own pace and to be honest, I didn't bother making her speed because I was mentally and physically exhausted. The sun was starting to go down, turning the sky a soft gold. Everything looked peaceful.

But my thoughts were anything but peaceful.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Viktor and Elara. The way they looked at each other. The way he touched her stomach. It was like they were proud of what they had done. Like they had no guilt at all.

That child wasn’t Theo’s. It was Viktor’s.

And Father… he knew. He had to.

All the lies I had been told were sitting heavy in my chest. Everything I thought I knew was wrong. The way Roman talked about me, the “new commander” showed that he didn’t trust me enough because his plans were shady. I was also glad that they didn’t know who I really was and had no suspicions I was someone else.

I rubbed my forehead, trying to push the thoughts away, but they wouldn’t leave me alone. Viktor’s hand. Elara’s smile.

It was too late to reach Beaumont City today. I had already traveled too far but the journey was still very far ahead. I had not even left Shadowclaw, I was just on the outskirts. The trees around me had grown thicker. Their long shadows stretched across the trail, making everything feel colder than it should have.

I needed to rest soon.