AN UNWANTED LUNA

The elders casted a curious look at themselves. "We'll see to it that she never returns. Even if she does, we will take care of her; so, you do not have to worry" the head elder assured

Olivia let out a deep sigh. "I'll consider your proposal and get back to you," she finally said.

"We'll be expecting to hear from you soon," Elder Helen said, and with that, they took their leave.

Olivia sat in her room, reflecting on the recent months of her life. Once the center of attention, her reputation had been tarnished by the scandal and she was yet to find the culprit. Her extravagant city lifestyle, which she once took for granted, had crumbled. Unable to afford her high-end living expenses, she had reluctantly returned to her father's pack, depending on him for basic needs.

Work offers had dried up, leaving her feeling useless and abandoned. Her team members, once loyal and efficient, had resigned due to her inability to pay them. Olivia's thoughts drifted back to the elders' offer. Becoming Antonio's Luna could restore her status and provide her with the power and influence to get things back on track.

She weighed her options, finally deciding to seize the opportunity. Olivia's mind raced as she dialed Antonio's number, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. This was her chance to reclaim her status, but the thought of confronting Antonio filled her with dread

Antonio picked up the call from the unknown number, his heart beating fast with the hope that it was Rachel. "Hello?" he answered, his voice filled with cautious hope.

"Antonio, it's Olivia"

Antonio's heart sank, his momentary excitement shattering as Olivia's voice came through the line. He clenched his jaw, trying to hide his disappointment.

"What do you want, Olivia?" he asked curtly.

"The elders came over," Olivia began, her voice calm but firm. "They asked me to accept you as my mate and become your Luna. I've decided to accept their offer."

Antonio's jaw clenched. "You've decided? Without even talking to me?"

"Shouldn't you be happy, Antonio," Olivia continued. "I'll be there in an hour. Prepare for my arrival."

Olivia ended the call before Antonio could reply, leaving him seething with frustration. Antonio slammed his phone down, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. Jerome, sensing the tension, stepped into the room.

"Alpha, is everything alright?" Jerome asked, concern etched on his face.

"Olivia," Antonio spat out. "She called to inform me she's accepted the elders' proposal to become my Luna. She'll be here in an hour."

Jerome's eyes widened. "What do we do, Alpha?"

"I don't know," Antonio admitted, his voice tinged with despair. "I can't just replace Rachel. I can't allow Olivia to..."

Jerome placed a reassuring hand on Antonio's shoulder. "We'll figure this out. Let's prepare for her arrival and see how things unfold. You're the alpha, and we'll support you no matter what."

An hour later, Olivia arrived at the pack's territory, her demeanor confident and composed. Antonio met her at the entrance, his expression guarded.

"Antonio," Olivia greeted, her eyes scanning his face.

 "Let's talk inside," he replied curtly, leading her into a room.

Once inside, Antonio turned to face her. "Why did you do that, Olivia? Why accept the elders' offer?"

Olivia took a deep breath, deciding to be honest. "My life in the city fell apart. I have nothing left there. This is my chance to rebuild, to have influence and power."

Antonio studied her, his mind racing. "You're doing this for yourself, not for me or the pack."

"Maybe so," Olivia admitted. "But I can still be the Luna the pack needs. Together, we can bring stability."

Antonio studied her, his eyes cold and unyielding. "I see. So, this is all about you. Well, let me make something very clear, Olivia. Never will I accept you as my Luna or anyone else other than Rachel. She is the one I love, and that will never change."

Olivia's eyes flashed with anger and frustration. "Antonio, you need to think about the pack. The elders believe this is the best solution."

Antonio shook his head, his voice firm. "I am thinking about the pack. And I'm thinking about myself. I won't live a lie just to satisfy tradition. I love Rachel, and I won't betray the bond we share."

"Rachel is not your mate, Antonio" Olivia said, her voice rising in anger. "I am your mate and we're bonded together by the moon goddess. This is my home now, and I'm here to stay."

Antonio's temper flared. "No, you won't. You're here because you want power and influence, not because you care about the pack or me. You don't belong here, Olivia. Leave now."

Olivia stood her ground, her eyes locked onto his. "I'm not going anywhere, Antonio. The elders have given their blessing, and I intend to stay. I'll be Luna, whether you accept it or not."

Antonio's fists clenched, his frustration boiling over. "This isn't just about the elders' blessing. It's about trust, loyalty, and love. You can't force your way into a position that requires all three. I won't stand for it."

Olivia's expression softened slightly, but her resolve remained. "Why don't you tell that to the goddess who bonded us together in the first place? I'm going nowhere Antonio, as you know, I'm the first and only child of my father, Alpha Ryker. I can't lead my pack, but you can. You should be thanking me that your pack would soon be an empire after the merging."

Antonio's eyes blazed with defiance. "You can stay, Olivia, but not as my Luna. You're free to be part of the pack, but don't expect me to play along with this charade."

Olivia nodded, a hint of resignation in her eyes. "Very well. I'll stay and do what I can for the pack. But know this, Antonio, the earlier you forget Rachel, the better for you."

Antonio watched Olivia leave the meeting room, his mind still racing with thoughts of Rachel. He knew he couldn't afford to let Olivia take control, but he also couldn't ignore the pack's need for stability. With a heavy sigh, he decided to take a moment to clear his head before dealing with Olivia's presence further.

As he made his way toward the living room, he overheard Olivia's voice echoing through the halls. His steps quickened, curiosity and frustration driving him forward. What was Olivia planning now?