From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 23

Julia's POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the collar of my white button-down shirt. I'd chosen comfort over style today—gray sweatpants, a simple white shirt, and a light gray cardigan. Perfect for a three-hour exam where I needed to focus, not worry about how I looked.

"There," I muttered, tying my long hair into a neat ponytail. The last thing I needed was hair falling in my face while trying to calculate medication dosages or answer questions about proper wound care procedures.

My stomach twisted with nerves as I double-checked my exam bag. Notes for last-minute review? Check. Calculator? Check. Four different pens because I was paranoid about running out of ink? Definitely check.

A rustling sound from across the room made me jump. I looked over to see Amber sitting up in her bed, rubbing her eyes.

"You're still here? I thought you'd be gone by the time I woke up," she said, her voice thick with sleep. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she looked disoriented as she squinted at the clock. "Julia! You're going to be late for your exam!"

"I know, I know," I called back, quickly zipping my bag and grabbing my student ID from the dresser. Amber was now fully sitting up in her bed, looking concerned despite her sleep-rumpled appearance. She probably wouldn't have class until noon, but she was clearly worried about my schedule.

"Let me see," she demanded, making grabby hands at my bag. "ID?"

"Got it."

"Exam permit?"

I patted my pocket. "Right here."

"Pens, calculator, lucky pencil?"

"I don't have a lucky pencil," I said with a small smile.

"Well, you should get one. I swear my lucky pen is the only reason I passed Organic Chemistry." She pulled me into a tight hug that caught me by surprise. "You've got this. If anyone in our nursing program deserves this scholarship, it's you."

I blinked back unexpected tears. This was what real friendship felt like—support without conditions or expectations. It was still new to me, this feeling of someone genuinely wanting me to succeed.

"Thanks, Amber," I managed, my voice thick.

She pushed me toward the door. "Now go! Show those judges what a real nurse looks like!"

I hurried down the stairs, my bag bouncing against my hip. Outside, the morning air was crisp and clear, perfect for clearing my head. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

As I walked across campus toward the examination hall, my thoughts drifted back to the material I'd reviewed last night. Pharmacology had always been my strongest subject, but the cardiovascular system questions would require careful attention...

My heart pounded harder with each step I took. This wasn't just an exam—it was my future. The scholarship committee included representatives from several hospital networks, including Spring Valley Medical Center. A good impression today could mean a job offer far away from Nathan and Star Shadow pack.

I could almost taste the freedom.

I was lost in thought when someone suddenly crashed into me, sending my exam bag flying. Papers, pens, and my calculator scattered across the pavement.

"Oh!" I gasped, immediately dropping to my knees to gather everything. I waited for the automatic apology, ready to say "It's okay, don't worry about it" like I always did.

But no apology came. The person didn't even bend down to help.

I looked up, confused, to find a stranger staring down at me—a guy I'd never seen before on campus. He had an odd, unsettling smile on his face that made my skin crawl.

"Someone asked me to deliver a message," he said, his voice casual but his eyes cold. "Don't think passing some exam will let you escape. You'd better skip this test and go home to your pack after graduation like a good girl."

Ice flooded my veins. My hands froze mid-reach for a scattered pen as goosebumps erupted across my arms. The stranger's smile widened, and then he simply walked away, whistling as if he'd just commented on the weather.

Nathan. It had to be Nathan.

He couldn't come onto campus himself—not after Matthew had banned him—so he'd sent someone else to intimidate me. The realization made me feel violated in a way I couldn't quite name. My hands trembled as I scrambled to collect my belongings, shoving everything back into my bag with shaking fingers.

"Julia!"

I jerked my head up at the familiar voice. Daniel was jogging toward me from the direction of the academic buildings, his backpack bouncing against his shoulders.

"Daniel?" I stood up, clutching my bag to my chest. "What are you doing here? Don't you have class?"

He slowed to a stop in front of me, slightly breathless but smiling. "Your exam is important. I wanted to wish you good luck in person before you went in." He glanced at his watch. "I can make it back to class if I run."

"Thank you," I managed, my voice still shaky from the encounter.

His smile faded immediately. "Hey, what's wrong? You look pale."

I told him what had just happened—the stranger, the message, the creepy smile. As I spoke, Daniel's expression darkened with anger.

"That bastard," he muttered. Then, more gently, he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Julia, listen to me. Nathan can only do things like this—send messages through strangers, make empty threats. He has no real power over you here. Don't let him scare you."

His words, steady and reassuring, helped slow my racing heart. I took a deep breath, then another. Daniel was right. Nathan was desperate enough to hire some random person to deliver threats—that showed weakness, not strength.

"You're going to ace this exam," Daniel said firmly. "And then you're going to get that scholarship and build the life you want. Nathan can't stop you."

I nodded, feeling my resolve harden. I would pass this exam. I had to.

"Go," I told Daniel, managing a small smile. "You'll be late for class."

"After your exam," he said, backing away but keeping his eyes on me, "I'm taking you somewhere nice to celebrate. Deal?"

"Deal," I agreed, and this time my smile was genuine.

As I watched him jog back toward the academic buildings, I felt a warmth spread through my chest—anticipation mixed with gratitude. Whatever Nathan tried to do, I wasn't alone anymore.

I squared my shoulders and walked into the examination hall, ready to fight for my future.

As long as I stayed on campus grounds, I was safe. I wouldn't have to return to the pack until winter break, a full month away. Nathan would undoubtedly use this transgression to torment me then, adding it to his growing list of my "offenses" against him.

But I had no choice. Today's exam was too important, representing everything I'd worked for.

Inside the examination hall, I settled at my assigned desk, forcing Nathan's threats from my mind as I focused on the test booklet in front of me.