Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 82: Luna

**Tiana's POV**

I whipped my head to the left and caught sight of the silver-haired woman named Jael who I had met in the garden that day.

“I have known of the goddess’s revelation that Tiana was his mate before this, but it was not my secret to share. Tiana had to make her own choice, and now she has.”

Theo’s father’s eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. “And you, Tiana,” he said sharply, “do you love my son?”

I swallowed hard, my heartbeat loud in my ears. But I refused to look away.

“Yes,” I said. “I love him.”

Theo’s hand tightened around mine and he smiled.

“If you love my son,” Alpha Romano said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade, “why did you make him wait so long? Why put him through all this uncertainty before choosing to accept him as your mate?

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make,” I replied, trying my best to keep my voice from shaking under all the pressure.

Alpha Romano scoffed, a derisive smile curling his lips. “It would have been an easy decision if you truly loved him. Your hesitation says otherwise. It means you’re only with him because of what you stand to gain from him being Alpha.”

The accusation hit me like a slap, but I made sure not to let it show.

“My love for Theo is irrespective of his position in the pack. I do not care whether he is Alpha or not. My feelings for him would remain the same.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Then why the delay? Why make him suffer if your love is so unwavering?”

"Because accepting to be Theo’s mate might not be beneficial to him."

I turned to address the council directly instead of speaking to the Alpha alone.

"Theo has a duty to this pack. As Luna, I would be expected to support him in every way. I must have enough strength physically and mentally to be Luna. But I am not blind to my shortcomings. I do not have a wolf, and I may not possess everything a Luna needs to have. I love Theo so much that I was willing to let him go if it meant he could find someone better suited to the role of becoming his Luna."

“And yet you’re here now,” His father snorted. “What changed?”

“What changed is that I realized Theo doesn’t need someone else. He needs me. Not because I’m perfect, but because we’re stronger together. I may not have a wolf, but I have a heart that beats for him and a mind that will fight for him and this pack.”

Theo’s father leaned back into his chair, opening his mouth to speak but Theo cut him off.

"I chose Tiana because she is my mate. The goddess herself revealed this to me, and I will not question her will. If the council or my father cannot accept that, then they will have to question her wisdom, not mine.”

“You speak boldly, son,” Alpha Romano said. “But words alone won’t secure the trust of this council.”

“They won’t have to,” Theo replied. “Actions will.”

"Very well, if this is the path my son has chosen, then I ask this council. Do we approve of Tiana as the future Luna of this pack?”

Elder Jael was the first to speak. “Yes, Alpha. I approve,” she said firmly. “The goddess has shown her will, and I trust in it.”

Peter, sitting beside her, nodded. “I approve as well. Theo has my full support.”

The rest of the council members exchanged glances before one by one they began to agree. “Yes,” “Yes,” “I approve,” echoed around the chamber, until only one voice remained silent.

The oldest-looking of all the elders leaned forward in his seat, his brows furrowed deeply. "No."

Theo’s father narrowed his eyes. “And why not, Elder Thaddeus?”

"With all due respect, Alpha, she is an outsider. She has no wolf, and from what I’ve heard, she cannot participate in our traditions—like the bonfire hunt. A Luna who cannot even wolf out, despite being of age, is... troubling.”

My stomach sank as his words hit me, but I kept my face neutral, refusing to show how much they stung.

“What will we tell the pack when they discover their Luna cannot perform the basic rites and traditions that bind us together? What message does that send about our strength when rival packs find out? Let's not also forget we do not have details of her backgr—"

“Enough, Thaddeus,” Elder Jael said sharply. “You speak of traditions, but you forget the heart of our customs. The goddess’s will. If she has chosen Tiana as Theo’s mate, then who are we to question her judgment?”

Thaddeus scoffed. “The goddess may have chosen, but it is the pack that must accept her. And I fear the pack will not accept a Luna who cannot fulfil her role completely.”

Theo stood then. “Elder Thaddeus you speak of fulfilling roles, but do you know what truly makes a Luna? It is not her ability to hunt or shift. It is her heart, her courage, support for her Alpha and the pack.”

“And what of the pack’s respect?” Thaddeus asked. “Do you think they will respect a Luna who cannot participate in our most sacred rites?”

“They will respect her because I do,” Theo said. “And because she has already proven herself stronger than anyone else here. She faced the doubts, and the fears, and still chose to stand by me. If the pack cannot see her worth, then I will show them.”

“Elder Thaddeus,” still thinking about what I would say. “I understand your concerns. I know I am not what you or the pack expected in a Luna. But I promise you this—I will dedicate myself to this pack, to learning its traditions, to earning its respect. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Because I love Theo, and I love this pack.”

Elder Jael broke the silence. “The goddess’s will has been made clear. Tiana is Theo’s mate, and she will be our Luna. We owe her our support, not our doubts.”

Peter nodded. “She’ll prove herself, just like Theo has. Give her the chance.”

“Very well,” he said begrudgingly. “But mark my words, the pack will be watching. She will have to prove herself.”

Theo's father looked between us. “If the council approves, then so be it.”