Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 55: Thinking About Theo And Fiona

Tiana's POV

The sun was still rising, casting a soft glow through the windows of the armory close to the training grounds. The place always smells like sweat, leather and metal and today the semi-comforting smell kind of annoyed me as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my gear. I was moving on to the next level of training today.

The tightness of my chest had nothing to do with the fact that I was advancing in training or the straps I was fixing, though. It was that feeling in my heart that seemed to come alive whenever I thought of Theo.

I didn’t want to think about him. Not now, not when I was supposed to be preparing for training. He was always so busy as of late, always wrapped up in his duties. And when he wasn’t working, it was like he had some other place to be, some other person to spend time with. I had heard that the Lycans had been around for the last few weeks and secretly wondered if it was the princess he was occupied with now.

After all, I had seen them a few times together and they seemed happy.

I exhaled sharply, trying to push the thoughts away. Focus, I told myself. You have work to do. You can't let him occupy your mind every single moment. But, even as I scolded myself, my mind drifted back to him.

I had been avoiding him too, to be honest. It was easier that way. Easier to focus on the things I could control, like my training, but there were moments, when I’d find myself waiting for a glance, a word from him. Even if it was just a small thing—a nod in my direction, a brief smile. That had barely happened as of recent.

I shook my head, annoyed at myself. _What is wrong with you, Tiana?_ I thought. _You’re smarter than this. He was busy._

He had his reasons for being distant, just like I had my reasons for avoiding him. I didn’t want to be a disturbance and I also did not want to be that person who hung onto every moment of his attention.

But yet, here I was, standing in front of a mirror, thinking about him instead of hurrying to meet Peter.

But then, a small part of me couldn’t help but smile.

I couldn’t ignore the little things. The subtle hints he’d dropped. The way his eyes would linger on me longer than they should have, the way he’d give me that soft smile when I said something that was not even funny.

Even the way he’d make sure I was alright whenever he sensed something was wrong.

He hadn’t outright told me he wanted me, but there had been lots of times when his actions said it all. He didn’t have to say it, because I already knew.

And, somehow, that knowledge made my heart flutter in a way I wasn’t entirely ready to admit.

But as quickly as that thought crossed my mind, another one followed.

Fiona.

My chest tightened at the thought of her. She had been there for Theo longer than I had. They had a history, one that wasn’t easily erased. I couldn’t ignore the fact that Fiona had been so open with her feelings for him in the garden that day, and for her to see him walk away like that, knowing that he was coming to meet me... to know that she wasn’t the one who held his heart—it must have hurt. And it was my fault, wasn’t it?

I couldn't stop the guilt from creeping in.

What kind of person was I to be feeling this way? The guilt swallowed me whole, and I felt my heart twist in my chest. Why was I even thinking about Theo when Fiona is the one whose heart is broken? We were not friends and she had never seemed to like me— which was very understandable, but I could feel her pain.

I closed my eyes, trying to push the conflicting emotions away. I was so tired of feeling like this, torn between wanting to hold on to my feelings for Theo and the overwhelming guilt for feeling them in the first place.

Since what had happened in the infirmary, I didn't want to do anything to come between her and Theo. I also didn’t want to hurt her. I couldn’t be the cause of any more pain for her.

But then, the thought of Theo—how he made me feel, how much I’d wished for something more—came rushing back, stronger than before.

I let out a long breath and sat down on the bench, my hand running through my hair. I knew what I wanted. I wanted to be the one Theo turned to when things got tough and wanted to be the one he smiled at when he needed a break. But I also knew that those thoughts should not even be crossing my mind as someone who was not an original member of the pack.

I was only here and being accepted because of Theo.

My mind wandered to how Theo had come to explain to me that Fiona was the one who kissed him and he didn't feel anything romantic towards her... Theo and I weren't even together... It was just...

I don't even know what to call us.

My mind suddenly raced as it went back to Fiona.

What if she found out? I thought, panic starting to set in. What would she think of me when she already hated me?

I stood up abruptly, pacing across the room.

Theo and Fiona.

I need to stop this, I told myself. I needed to let go of these feelings for him. It was not fair to anyone at all, especially Fiona.

It doesn't matter. I said to myself with a sigh.

Theo and I weren't even mates and I had to discourage whatever feelings he had for me because I hadn't even told him the real truth.

That I was once mated to the _soon-to-be Alpha of The Moonstone Pack; Derek Aston.

But he rejected me.