Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 81: Council Meeting At Dawn

**Tiana’s POV**

Theo stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine and all I could see was the raw emotion in his eyes.

“Tiana,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.

And then his lips found mine.

The kiss sent sparks that made my knees weak. My hands gripped the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. His arms circled my waist, holding me like I was the only thing anchoring him to this world. His lips moved against mine with a desperation that mirrored my own.

“I can’t lose you,” he whispered between kisses. "I was scared for a moment that I would."

“You won’t,” I breathed, my forehead resting against his. “You have me, Theo.”

His hands moved to my shoulders, steadying me as he pulled back slightly, his breath warm against my skin.

“I’ll never let anyone question your place by my side,” he promised his voice a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine. “You’re mine, Tiana.”

I couldn’t find words to respond, so I simply nodded, pulling him into another kiss.

**Theo’s POV**

When I finally left Tiana’s chambers, my heart was pounding but not with fear. It was more like nervousness or uncertainty on how to break the news.

Tiana was my mate, and it was time to make that clear.

Once in my study, I lit a single candle and sat at my desk, the silence of the night broken only by the scratching of my pen against the paper on which I wrote a letter to the inner council.

*To the Esteemed Members of the Inner Council,*

*I summon you to the council chambers at dawn for a matter of great importance which should not be discussed on paper. This meeting will decide the direction of our pack’s future, and your presence is not only requested but required.*

*Sincerely,*

*Theodore Romano*

*Heir to the Alpha Seat*

I made sure to write the heir in a darker ink on all the eight papers, each belonging to one council member.

I sealed the letters and then instructed a servant to have them delivered.

Then, I turned my attention to the second letter. This one was way more important, it was meant for Tiana. I dipped my pen into the ink, taking a deep breath before beginning.

*My Dearest Tiana,*

*By the time you read this, I will have set plans in motion that cannot be undone. At dawn, I will face the council once again, but this time you will stand beside me, not as a mere consideration or an option, but as my chosen mate.*

*I have summoned the elders to meet you as the future Luna of this pack and the newest member of the inner council. I know it will not be easy, and I cannot promise that the council will welcome this news with open arms. But I can promise that I will have your back.*

*Until then, rest well, my heart.*

*Yours,*

*Theodore*

I folded the letter carefully, sealing it with a red wax stamp bearing my family crest. I placed it in an envelope and then instructed a servant to drop it off in her room.

**Tiana’s POV**

Morning came faster than I wanted it to, announcing its presence with the sun rays filtering its way through the curtains. I had barely slept, thinking about Theo’s letter and what the council's reaction was going to be.

A knock on the door startled me suddenly.

“Come in,” I called out after a while.

The door creaked open, and a group of maids entered, their arms laden with garments and accessories. At their head was a tall woman

“Lady Tiana,” she said with a polite smile, “we’ve been instructed to prepare you for the council meeting. The instructions came from the alpha's son."

“Prepare me?” I asked, confused.

“Yes,” she replied, motioning for the other maids to begin. “You will accompany Alpha Theo to the chambers today, and you must look the part of his mate— rest assured we are obligated to keep this a secret until it has been publicly announced.”

My heart skipped a beat. "Oh."

I was shimmied into the bathroom and washed up thoroughly and then dried up. They worked quickly, brushing and styling my hair until it cascaded in soft waves down my back. They chose a gown that was deep blue in colour. The dress hugged my frame perfectly with a silver belt at my waist, and then a matching jewellery set.

When they were finished, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me in the mirror.

Theo arrived almost immediately, dressed in a formal black tailcoat and then a silver brooch by his chest.

His eyes softened when they landed on me, and a small smile curved his lips.

“You look beautiful,” he said, offering his hand.

I took it, my palms clammy. I have never been this nervous before. “Are you ready?”

“As long as you’re with me, yes,” he replied.

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

“Theodore,” his father said in a cold voice when we entered the room. “What is the meaning of this?”

Theo met his gaze without flinching. “A few days ago, the goddess revealed to me that Tiana is my mate.”

A murmur rippled through the room, the elders exchanging glances. Theo’s father looked annoyed.

“That’s a lie,” he said flatly. “You’re only saying this now to try and secure your position before the general council meeting. If this were true, why didn’t you speak of it before?”

Theo’s jaw tightened, but before he could respond, I decided to speak. "If I may, sir, Theo likely didn’t say anything because I had not yet accepted him as my mate.”

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to me.

“And have you now accepted him?” Theo’s father asked, his voice laced with skepticism.

“Yes, I have.”.

“I don't believe you two. You may be lying about the bond," Alpha Romano said.

"I can testify to the fact that it is true. The bond I mean." An oddly familiar raspy voice said.