Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 39: Respect

Chapter 39: Respect

Olivia's POV

It has been a week since I got the news of my father's death. My mother claimed she kept it from me because she knew I wouldn't be able to handle it, and maybe she was right. But that didn't make the betrayal any easier to swallow.

She also told me that the triplets had no knowledge of my father's death—that it was their father, the former Alpha, who had given the order. And deep within my heart, I hated him. I hated him for condemning my father to death. How could he order the execution of a man who had been his closest ally? His strongest and most loyal warrior?

For the past week, I had locked myself away in my room, drowning in grief, mourning the man who had been my protector, my guide—my father.

I had not seen the triplets in all that time. Not Anita either. And I was grateful for it. But my solitude had come to an end. Today, I had to resume my duties as Luna, even though the pack refused to see me as one.

Standing before the mirror, dressed in a simple black gown, I stared at my reflection and inhaled deeply. My once-bright eyes were dull, swollen from the countless tears I had shed. My cheeks were hollow from the days I had spent barely eating. But I couldn't afford to appear weak today.

"Are you nervous?" my wolf asked.

I exhaled slowly. "Not really."

down my dress, I forced myself to look into my own eyes, finding the strength I needed within them. Enough hiding. Enough mourning. I had already spent a

away forever. My mother had practically dragged me out of bed this morning, reminding me of my duties as Luna—even if the pack didn't regard me as one. They still expected me to show up and maintain some semblance of leadership, no matter how

tear that escaped

trudging through quicksand, my feet heavy with reluctance. When I finally reached the grand doors, I hesitated, swallowing down the tightness in my throat. Taking another deep breath, I pushed the doors open and walked

she-wolves, but one face caught my attention almost instantly, and that was Anita. She sat in the front row, her posture regal and confident, dressed in an

like she was the Luna. I forced myself to hold my head

whisper to one of her friends, loud enough for me to hear, "I guess the fake Luna finally

her, keeping

a cat stolen your tongue?" I snapped, my loud voice

their reluctance. Of course, I wasn't

one, they forced themselves to their feet,

Luna," they murmured

gaze on Anita. She was still seated, legs crossed elegantly, casually inspecting her perfectly manicured nails as if I didn't exist. A joke

I addressed her directly, my voice loud enough to carry through the entire hall. "Anita," I called, and the murmurs died down instantly.

her hand. "I don't

over the hall, and I could feel every gaze shifting between us, eager to see how I would respond. I took a step forward, my chin held high, and allowed a

but a concubine—a mere plaything. I, on the other hand, am the Luna. The queen of this pack. Their mate. You may flaunt your status all