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?"

Olivia. I prefer to call it justice. The pack finally sees me, finally respects me, and I'll

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

gaze and smiled—not a forced, bitter

you, Anita," I said

blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "For

before turning on my heel

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,

hours, 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

done. Let's leave for the pack hall. You have to be there so you can get your wolf," she said, and I

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

outfits so formal it looked like they were attending a wedding rather

my spine at the intensity of

my mother whispered beside me, gently guiding

toward

over the crowd. "The mating ceremony

anxiety as I

forward," he said softly, smiles on

seat, the trail of her red beaded gown trailing behind her as she moved forward. I swallowed hard.

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

raised his hands, eyes lifted to the sky, his voice calm but commanding. "With the blessing 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 each other, linking their hearts and souls forever. If your mate is here, the cord will appear on

was waiting, eyes glued to Anita's wrist. My heart raced. I tried to ignore the panic bubbling inside me. What if nothing happened? What if I