Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 9: Mating Ceremony

Chapter 9: Mating Ceremony

Olivia POV

Anita stared at me for a moment. Then, with a slow shake of her head, she let out a soft chuckle.

"You really don't get it, do you, Olivia?" she scoffed. "You didn't do anything wrong. You were just... too perfect."

My brows furrowed in confusion. "What?"

Anita sighed dramatically, crossing her arms over her chest. "You were the golden girl, Olivia. The pack adored you. The triplets—Levi, Louis, and Lennox—practically worshiped the ground you walked on. You were the daughter of the best and most respected Gamma."

She took a step closer, her eyes filled with hate. "And then there was me. Just Anita. The daughter of a common warrior. Your shadow. Always 'Olivia's best friend.' Never just Anita."

Her voice hardened as she continued. "Then five years ago, when your father was accused of stealing, everything changed. He fell, and with him, so did you. And for the first time, I wasn't standing behind you anymore." She let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "My father became Beta, and suddenly, the pack saw me for whom I really was. Not just 'Olivia's friend' but Anita, the future Luna. How ironic."

She gestured around the room, her manicured fingers adorned with rings that sparkled under the light. "Look at us now. Your father is a traitor, your family is nothing, and I have everything. The admiration, the respect, and soon, one of the triplets will be my mate. Maybe all three." She smirked, watching me closely for a reaction.

The realization suddenly hit me. I had spent years wondering what I had done to deserve her cruelty, questioning if I had wronged her in some way. But the truth was simple: I hadn't.

Anita had never been my friend. She had only been waiting for the moment I would fall so she could rise in my place.

I swallowed back the lump in my throat, forcing myself to keep my expression blank. "So that's it?" I said quietly. "You were jealous of me?"

prefer to call it justice. The pack finally sees me, finally respects me, and I'll never

smile curled my lips. "I don't want anything from you, Anita,"

first time in years, I met Anita's gaze and smiled—not a forced, bitter smile, but one

you, Anita," I said

caught off

murmured before turning on my heel and walking out of

my mood and asked if everything was alright, and I simply told her yes with a smile and continued working. I felt relieved to know I didn't hurt her. I felt relieved to know the reason why she hated me. And soon, I will get to find out why the triplets hated me too. Surely, it wasn't just because my father was accused of stealing. Just like Anita, they

I helped Mother in the kitchen until it was dark. Soon, pack members began arriving at the pack hall where the ceremony would be held. I checked the time and realized it was 6 p.m., and the ceremony

we are done. Let's leave for the pack hall. You have to be there so you can

was packed. The air buzzed with excitement, voices blending together in a low hum as pack members took their seats. The grand hall was decorated with golden lights and banners, making the

beside her parents, dressed elegantly, big smiles plastered all over her

they were

ran down my spine at the intensity of their stares, but

whispered beside me, gently

took a deep breath and followed her toward the front,

Alpha Richardson's voice boomed over the

with anxiety as I stood

said softly, smiles on his

her red beaded gown trailing behind her as she moved forward. I swallowed hard. I was supposed to be standing

pain, my mother gave me a soft squeeze on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You will get your

of the Moon Goddess, Anita's wolf will be released, and her fated mate will be revealed tonight. A magical cord will bind those destined for

Anita's wrist. My heart raced. I tried to ignore the panic bubbling