Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 78: It Is The Outsider, Is It Not?

**Theo's POV**

"You can't be serious," I said, my voice cold and sharp. "You're willing to cast me aside for Peter? Do you really think the pack will follow a Beta over me?"

My father’s eyes narrowed. “The council is already discussing it. Peter has earned their respect, and his mate has given him an heir. Meanwhile, you’ve done nothing to reassure them of your commitment to the pack.”

The council murmured again, but I barely heard them. My mind raced, disbelief and anger coursing through my veins.

“This isn’t leadership,” I said, rising to my feet. “This is manipulation. You’re using me as a pawn to push your own agenda."

"And what agenda would that be?" Elder Thaddeus asked and I couldn't help but admit that he was right. There was no agenda my father could have, especially against me, his own son.

But why was he so fixated on me having a mate and an heir ready?

My father’s smirk was cold. “Call it what you will, but the pack comes first. If you won’t act, I will.”

I didn’t respond. Words felt useless against him. Without another glance at the council, I turned on my heel and left the chamber, my footsteps echoing through the stone halls.

"The woman you have in mind... You are scared of your father's thoughts are you not?" A voice said, stopping me in my tracks.

I whirled around to face the voice. It was Elder Jael.

"What do you mean?"

"I am aware of the fact that your father has made you meet with several women in the last few days but none of them has caught your fancy," she commented. "It would only be possible if there is another lady in mind."

"I—"

"She's not of noble blood, is she? A servant? An intruder? Or is it perhaps the Lady Tiana that was taken in a few months ago?"

"Elder Jael, I beg your pardon."

"Ah, I see..." She smiled. "Your father already knows it's her but some accept your love for her with an excuse that she's not the mate the moon goddess chose for you. He has told you that if she happens to be your mate, he will be fine with the union but otherwise, he will not be."

"Where are all these wild theories coming from?" I asked with a raise of my brows.

"My apologies, I am quite wrong about that," she gasped, staring into my eyes while holding my chin up. "I have seen this look in your eyes several times with others... There's desperation digging away at your soul."

"Elder Jael," I said, trying to take a step backwards but her grip was firm.

"You have a mate... Who is not willing to accept you yet."

I opened my mouth in shock, amazed by her theory.

"And from the type of desperation, I can see in your eyes, it is not some mate you stumbled upon and have this sudden longing for... She is someone who was special before the mate bond..."

"Lady Jael—"

"It is her... The outsider, is it not?"

**Tiana's POV**

The moonlight streamed through the narrow window in my chambers, casting soft shadows on the walls. I sat curled on the bed, my arms wrapped tightly around my knees, my face buried in the folds of my dress.

“Tiana, you’re letting this consume you,” Fiona said from across the room. Her tone was calm but insistent, her dark eyes fixed on me like she could see straight into my soul. We had finished practice hours ago and I came up straight, wanting to have some alone time but somehow she came to me.

“How can it not?” I muttered, my voice muffled against the fabric. “His father would never approve and I do not think the council and rest of the pack will approve or believe in me. Believe that I am capable of being Luna. How am I supposed to stand beside Theo when I don’t even believe in myself?”

Fiona sighed, the sound full of patience and something that felt like frustration. She crossed the room and sat beside me, the bed dipping slightly under her weight. “You’re not weak, Tiana. You’re scared. And that’s normal. But Theo chose you for a reason. Do you think his father’s opinion matters to him? Do you think the council’s opinion matters to him? Besides, all they want at this point is for Theo to show them he is serious and ready to settle down and he can't do that if you don't accept him back."

I looked up at her, my cheeks still damp from tears, “What if I fail him, Fiona? What if I fail the pack? I’m not like them. I don’t even have a wolf.”

Her hand found my shoulder, "A physical wolf doesn’t define strength, Tiana. You do. Theo sees that, even if you don’t. Now you just have to decide if you’re willing to see it too.”

**Theo's POV**

When I arrived at Tiana’s chambers, I felt like I had nothing left to give.

The door creaked open before I could knock, and there she stood. Her wide eyes met mine.

“Theo,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

I stepped inside, unable to stop myself from closing the distance between us. “I’m not here to pressure you,” I said quickly. “I just... I need you to understand what’s happening.” I said and then explained my father had taken it to the council.

“I can’t do this without you, Tiana,” I admitted, my hands trembling. “But I can’t keep waiting either. I need to know where you stand.”

Her lips parted, but no words came. I could see the war raging behind her eyes, the fear and uncertainty.

“I need one more night,” she said finally, her voice soft but resolute. “Please, Theo. Just one more night.”

I nodded, though every part of me screamed to push for more. “One more night,” I said in a shaky breath.