Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 28: A Different Species Of Rogues

**Theo's POV**

It has become really hard for me to be distracted by Tiana's presence. I could not understand why I was feeling this sort of attraction to her. It was unlike any of the other ladies I had been attracted to.

I wasn't attracted to her because I wanted her in my bed— sure, I'd have liked that, but that was not the main reason. The problem, however, was, if I felt this attracted to her, why was there no mate bond between us yet?

I sighed and glanced over at her. She had stopped eating like everyone else except my younger sister, who enjoyed stuffing herself with anything sweet.

Tiana still looked a bit pale from yesterday, which broke my heart. I think what made me the saddest was seeing that my best friend and the woman I was interested in did not get along. To be honest, I did not know who to believe. I had known Fiona for years, and she was blunt and brazen. She always spoke the truth, but I did not want to think Tiana was lying.

I turned to look at Fiona for a bit. Maybe she was the one who twisted the situation because, although I am her best friend, I knew she was quite manipulative. She has used her tactics in court to get around ministers and courtiers who looked down on her because she was a woman.

"How are you enjoying your meal?" I asked Peter, wanting to break the silence. I don't know why I was just suddenly uncomfortable with it.

"It is quite wonderful," he laughed lightly. "But everything good is wonderful when you are famished."

"I can agree with that," Layla said, stuffing her mouth with a strawberry-flavored cake.

"You need to take a break from sweet things, Lay," I told her firmly. "Eat more meat instead."

"I eat enough meat. I have not had a sweet treat in a while."

"Fine," I rolled my eyes playfully. "But you need to watch it. I need you to stay healthy."

"You're slowly becoming more like father," she snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Well, I suppose it's a guarantee he will be a good Alpha," Tiana smiled, and then she hesitantly squeezed my hand and let go.

"Thank you." I squeezed her hand back because I did not want her touch to be away.

After breakfast, I gestured to Peter to follow me. We strolled out of the dining hall and down the winding corridors of the palace until we reached the throne room. The guards outside bowed as we passed, and I pushed open the heavy doors, allowing us inside the vast, echoing space.

Peter's expression was serious, his brow furrowed with worry. I led him to the table in the center of the room, covered with maps and reports.

"Tell me everything," I said, leaning forward. "What's going on with the rogues? It is bad, is it not? You just did not want the ladies worrying."

Peter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Theo, these rogues are unlike anything we've dealt with before. They seem to be a different species, almost like they're mutating."

"Mutating?" I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"When we kill them, the usual methods don't always work," Peter explained. "If we don't kill them by decapitating them, their wounds heal almost instantly. And their blood... it's poisonous."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "Poisonous? How so?"

Peter leaned closer, his voice low. "Anyone who gets rogue blood on them develops severe burning rashes on their skin. It spreads rapidly, and we've had to isolate those affected. Worse, those who get it in their mouths or eyes start convulsing."

"How many are affected?"

"Several of our best fighters," Peter replied grimly. "We've had to set up a quarantine area to keep the infection from spreading."

I took a deep breath, trying to process the information. "And you? Are you okay?"

Peter nodded. "I was lucky. I managed to stay covered and avoid contact with the blood. But it's only a matter of time before more of our people get exposed."

"We need to act fast," I said, my voice determined. "We can't let these rogues invade the city. What are our options?"

"We're strengthening the borders," Peter said. "But we need more than just manpower. We need better technology, barriers that can prevent the rogues from breaking through."

I nodded, considering his words. "We need to find a way to block them effectively. Maybe we can work with our engineers to develop something new."

Peter agreed. "We have to. These rogues are getting more aggressive, and if we don't stop them now, they'll overrun us."

"How long do we have?" I asked, my mind already planning our next steps.

"Not long," Peter replied. "They're testing our defenses constantly. We need to be ready for a full-scale attack any day now."

I clenched my fists. “We'll do whatever it takes. We can't let them get through."

Peter gave me a reassuring nod. "We'll fight them off, Theo. We'll protect our city."

I looked at the maps spread out before us. "Let's get to work then. We need to coordinate with our engineers and start implementing new defenses immediately."

"Let's look at this first though. So we meet with the engineers and have some sort of idea or plan," Peter mumbled.

"Sure," I said, but I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.

"Peter," I said, breaking the silence, "we'll need to inform the council and get their support. This isn't just a border issue anymore. It's a threat to our entire pack."

"I agree," Peter said. "But we need to be careful about how we present this. Panic won't help us."

"You're right," I conceded. "We'll need to be strategic, calm, and ready to take decisive action."

"So we have to be careful exactly how we present it," Peter said. "It is why I ordered and threatened those who are involved in the rogue case to be silent about it for now. Including the physicians and soldiers who were present."

"Good idea," I smiled.

"Theo..." Peter's voice took on a strained whisper that got me scared. I looked at his arms, looking for any form of rash, but there was none.

"Yes?"

"Your father... He will be passing through the border tomorrow.”