Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 86: The Afterthought In Everyone's Life

Tiana’s POV

The preparations for the mating ceremony were in full swing. Every corner of the pack house buzzed with activity as maids, warriors, and decorators hurried to make the event special. Since it was also the ceremony meant to announce Theo as the official heir, they had invited all the neighbouring packs that they were allies with.

It was another one of those days, and I had just finished my dress fitting with Fiona. She escorted me to my room and then left to train some new young folk who were interested in joining the army.

I walked into my room and immediately caught sight of Theo's sister.

“Layla,” I said, smiling, but my expression faltered when I saw her face. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes stormy.

“I won’t be congratulating you,” she said flatly, her tone sharper than I’d ever heard it.

“What?” I blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

She crossed her arms, her fingers drumming against her elbows. “I mean exactly what I said, Tiana. Don’t expect me to be all smiles and cheers when I’ve been cast aside like I don’t exist.”

“Layla…” I said, moving closer to her, unsure how to even respond. “What’s this about? Cast aside? By who?”

“By everyone!” Her voice cracked as she yelled out loud. “Amara forgot about me the moment she had the baby. Theo—my brother—forgot about me the moment you came into the picture. My father’s always been too busy being the Alpha to notice I exist. And you…”

“What about me?” I asked softly, already feeling guilty.

“You,” she said, pointing a finger at me, her voice trembling, “you, of all people, should’ve seen me. But instead, you started hanging out with Fiona all the time. You never even invited me to hang out with you. Even your dress fittings, you did not. It was Fiona. Fiona! The same Fiona who was a complete bitch to you when you first got here. And now, I’m just… forgotten. After everything I did to defend you against her and to make you feel like you belonged here."

“That’s not true,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “Layla, I’ve never forgotten you. You’re one of my closest friends—”

“Don’t,” she cut me off. “Don’t you dare stand there and lie to me? Do you know how I found out about the mating ceremony? Through other people, Tiana. Other. People. Not Theo, not you—random people talking about it in the halls. I am the princess of this pack yet I had no idea what was going on. My "friend" did not even think to tell me that she and my brother were going to become mates."

I flinched at her words, guilt creeping in. “Layla, I didn’t mean for that to happen. Things have been moving so fast, and I—”

“And what? You couldn’t take a second to tell me yourself?” she snapped. “Do you know how humiliating that was? Standing there, pretending I already knew when everyone was staring at me like I didn’t belong?”

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t realize—”

“No, you didn’t,” she said bitterly. “You didn’t realize because you were too busy playing Luna with Fiona by your side. I was always there for you, Tiana. When things were hard, when you felt like you didn’t belong, I was there. But the moment things started going right for you, you pushed me aside.”

“That’s not true,” I protested. “I didn’t push you aside, Layla. I just…” I trailed off, unsure how to explain the whirlwind my life had become. I had been so preoccupied with a lot of things that I barely even had time to discuss with friendly people except while walking. The reason Fiona and I were close was because she was the one who was now helping me to train.

“You just what? Forgot about me? Prioritized everyone else over me? You know what, Tiana? Save it. I’m done being the afterthought in everyone’s life.”

Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. “Layla, you’re not an afterthought. You’re important to me, to Theo, to Amara—”

“Amara?” she laughed bitterly. “Amara doesn’t even look at me anymore unless it’s to ask for help with the baby. She doesn’t talk to me like she used to. It’s like I’m just some convenient babysitter now because she's not keen on maids. So she found the next best thing to one."

“I’m sure she doesn’t mean to make you feel that way,” I said carefully. "It is because she trusts you more than anyone else. She loves that baby to the death and wouldn't want anything to happen to him, that's why she chose you.

“Of course, you’d defend her,” Layla muttered. “That’s what you’re good at, isn’t it? Defending everyone else while leaving me in the shadows.”

“Layla, please,” I said, stepping closer. “I don’t want you to feel this way. I never wanted to hurt you.”

“But you did,” she said simply. “And the worst part is, you don’t even realize how much.”

“I’m realizing it now,” I admitted, my throat tight. “I’m sorry, Layla. I really am. If I’ve made you feel like you don’t matter, that’s on me, and I’ll do whatever I can to make it right.”

She stared at me for a long moment, her jaw clenched. “Words are easy, Tiana. Actions are harder. Let’s see if you actually mean what you’re saying, or if this is just another way to make yourself feel better.”

“I mean it,” I said firmly. “You’re my friend, Layla. I don’t want to lose you.”

“We’ll see,” she said quietly, turning on her heel and walking out of the room but I could tell that she was still extremely angry at me.

I signed, taking in a deep breath and then suddenly my heart almost jumped out of my chest.

"What was that about?" A voice asked, whining the hands belonging to the person encircled my waist.