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?"

an ugly word, Olivia. I prefer to call it justice. The

"I don't

gaze and smiled—not a

you, Anita," I said

momentarily caught off guard.

before turning on

I didn't hurt her. I felt relieved to know

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

have to be there so you can get your wolf," she

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

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

so formal it looked like they were

until they finally settled on me. A chill ran down my spine at the intensity of their stares, but I quickly looked away, feeling a strange sensation in my

Olivia," my mother whispered beside me, gently

took a deep breath and followed her toward the front, where the ceremony would

boomed over the

anxiety as I stood

said softly, smiles

behind her as she

me a soft squeeze on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You will get

his long robe trailing behind him. He 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 your wrist, guiding

Anita's wrist. My heart raced. I tried to ignore the panic bubbling inside me. What if nothing