The Beta's Rejected Daughter (Fiona) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

Lydia POV

Flushed

Dad and Mom were the first to be called for a meeting by the Alpha, and after an hour that they returned, I got a call too.

Not with my other brothers, just me. And that was where the tension began.

The council hall felt suffocating as I stood there, not because of a small space since it was vast and grand enough but because of him.

The Alpha and his son, Daren, who had gone for two weeks of international training.

Both were there, and it hurt that I didn’t even know the Prince was back again.

Last time he returned to the pack, the Alpha had informed us himself. But now, I wasn’t even aware. Not sure Dad and Mom even knew.

As if we didn’t matter.

Daren’s presence alone pressed down on my shoulders like a weight I couldn’t shrug off.

I stood below the steps with my head slightly lowered, hands neatly clasped in front of me, calm and composed, exactly how the beta daughter was expected to look.

Perfect.

That was what they always wanted from me.

“Lydia.”

My name echoed through the hall, and it didn’t sound nice at all.

“Yes, Alpha.” I responded with a bow, flashing a glance at my mother.

A

”

“You understand the role you were chosen for.” It wasn’t a question and more like a reminder.

“I do.”

“The future Luna will stand beside Prince Daren, my son,” he continued. “And by our laws, that position belongs to the Beta daughter.”

My fingers tightened slightly, but I kept my posture steady. I could hear my heart beating fast and loud against my pulse.

His words and Daren’s cold gaze were making my legs feel like jelly. He would have said the position belonged to me, but he just used the word “Beta Daughter“.

Was that to remind me I wasn’t the true one?

“I have fulfilled my duties and will do everything I am supposed to.”

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Chapter 174

The Alpha’s gaze sharpened.

“Prove your worth,” he said, and my heartbeat grew louder.

“Or step aside.”

I looked up, eyes glossy with tears. Daren only nodded, as if reaffirming his father’s words.

I didn’t move. Didn’t react. Even breathing was a struggle.

Then he added, “If you fail, Fiona will take her rightful place.”

For a second, everything went silent.

Fiona.

That name struck like a lance into my chest.

I knew it was about her. Always her.

“I understand, Alpha,” I managed to say, lowering my head further.

“Good. I reserve the rest for the future.” He stated, and just like that, it was over.

“You all can leave now. I want a private moment with my son.” He dismissed us, and I turned to look at Daren.

All I could see was pure dislike. I recalled how he looked at Fiona the first time he saw her at that Porsche store. I remembered he actually gave her a card to get enrolled in the academy.

Does it mean…..

No!

I shut away that thought, my heart heavy. When I first saw him, I stopped being interested in the crown only and now wanted him to be my man.

But to him, I was nothing. To me, he was everything I wanted in a man.

I walked out of the hall slowly, each step controlled. Only when I reached the empty corridor did my expression crack.

My nails dug into my palms.

Fiona.

Why does everything always lead back to her?

She had already taken enough…attention, sympathy, power. And now the Luna position too?

I forced myself to breathe. Panicking wouldn’t help. Thinking would maybe

Fiona was now strong–stronger than I had expected. She had special abilities, influence, and that quiet confidence that made people follow her without question.

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Chapter 174

And worst of all, she didn’t even care about the Beta position or Daren.

That made her dangerous,

Because if she ever decided she wanted it, she would win so easily.

That thought settled heavily in my chest.

No.

I wouldn’t let that happen.

Everything I had–everything I was–depended on this.

If I lost this position, I would lose everything.

A cold calm settled over me.

If I couldn’t win fairly, then I wouldn’t play fair.

By the time I got back to the villa, my expression had already softened again–gentle, harmless. No one noticed anything.

Good.

I went straight to my room and locked the door. The second it clicked, my expression dropped completely.

I pulled out my phone and opened a hidden interface–encrypted, untraceable.

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