From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 28

Julia's POV

The familiar winding road leading to my childhood home appeared ahead, and my stomach knotted itself into a tight ball of nerves. Daniel's hand found mine across the console of his car, his thumb tracing reassuring circles against my skin.

"That's it," I said, nodding toward the two-story house that came into view. "That's where I grew up."

The house looked exactly as it had when I left for college—gray siding with white trim, a large oak tree in the front yard, and my mother's carefully tended flower beds now dormant for winter. Yet it felt different somehow, like a place I'd seen in a photograph rather than a home.

"Nice place," Daniel said, squeezing my hand. "Remember what we talked about? Just be yourself. I'll follow your lead with your family."

I nodded, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat. "I'm worried about Eric. He's Nathan's best friend, and he's never approved of anything I've done."

"Eric isn't here," I said, reaching out through my pack bonds. I could sense my parents and Sophia inside, but Eric's presence was noticeably absent. "At least not yet."

Daniel parked in the driveway and turned to me, his eyes serious. "Whatever happens, we're in this together. I won't let anyone make you feel small—not your brother, not anyone."

His words warmed me from the inside, and I leaned over to kiss him briefly before we got out of the car. The cold December air hit me as I stood in the driveway, staring at the front door. Before I could reach for the handle, it swung open.

My mother stood framed in the doorway, her expression a mixture of happiness and uncertainty. She wore a festive red sweater, her dark hair—the same shade as mine—pulled back in a neat bun.

"Julia," she said, stepping forward to hug me. Her embrace was familiar but slightly stiff, as though she wasn't sure how to hold me anymore. When she pulled back, her eyes moved to Daniel, assessing him with the careful scrutiny only a wolf mother could manage.

"And you must be Daniel," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Mary White. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you for having me, Mrs. White," Daniel said, his voice confident as he shook her hand. "Julia's told me so much about you."

"All good things, I hope," came my father's voice as he appeared behind my mother. Unlike her cautious welcome, Dad stepped forward with a genuine smile, clasping Daniel's hand firmly. "Robert White. Come in, you two, before we let all the heat out."

Inside, the house smelled of pine and cinnamon, with Christmas decorations adorning every available surface. To my surprise, Sophia appeared from the kitchen, looking more mature than when I'd last seen her. Gone was the sneering teenager who had mocked my every move; in her place stood a young woman who approached me with a hesitant smile.

"Hey, Julia," she said, her voice lacking its usual edge. "Your hair looks nice."

I blinked, thrown off by the unexpected compliment. "Thanks, Soph."

"Eric isn't here," Mom explained, noticing my glance around the room. "He... well, he met his mate today. He's with her now, establishing their connection."

I felt my eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Eric had found his mate? That explained his absence, but I couldn't help feeling relieved that we'd have at least a little time without his antagonism.

Daniel smiled politely and handed my mother the gifts we'd brought.

We settled in the living room, and I could feel the tension building as my mother began her subtle interrogation.

"So, Daniel, tell us about your family," she said, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "And what are your plans after graduation?"

Daniel answered confidently about his parents' business and his own plans to work in public health. Throughout his responses, he kept a respectful tone without being submissive—a difficult balance when speaking to the mother of a wolf from another pack.

"Julia mentioned you two met at university," my mother continued. "It's interesting, you know, how connections form. The Moon Goddess has her ways of bringing the right wolves together... eventually."

I tensed at her obvious reference to mate bonds, but before I could respond, Daniel spoke up.

"I believe relationships should be built on mutual respect and genuine affection," he said calmly. "Julia is brilliant and compassionate—any wolf would be fortunate to have her in their life."

My father's voice brushed against my mind through our pack bond. *"Relax, little wolf. He seems like a good young man."*

His silent support gave me courage, and I quickly changed the subject to my scholarship and studies. The conversation flowed more easily after that, with my father asking Daniel questions about his interest in public health policy.

Later, in the kitchen, I helped Mom prepare dinner while Daniel insisted on assisting us, chopping vegetables with surprising skill.

"My mom taught me basics before she got too busy with the business," he explained when I raised an eyebrow at his knife technique.

My mother watched him for a moment, her expression softening. "It's good to see a young man who doesn't think kitchen work is beneath him."

As Daniel moved to the sink to wash the cutting board, Mom lowered her voice. "He cares for you."

"He does," I confirmed, feeling a warmth spread through my chest.

"You know," she said, surprising me with a distant look in her eyes, "your father and I were dating for months before we confirmed we were mates. We already loved each other by then."

I nearly dropped the spoon I was holding. "You never told me that."

She shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "The mate bond is important, Julia, but what truly matters is mutual respect and love. A relationship without those things will fail, bond or no bond."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Had my mother's views changed, or had I never truly known them?

Dad invited Daniel to see his herb garden in the back yard, and I watched them through the kitchen window, talking earnestly among the raised beds covered with frost.

"He's asking about Daniel's intentions," Sophia said, coming to stand beside me.

"How do you know?"

She rolled her eyes. "Because that's what Dad does."

When they returned, Daniel seemed relaxed, and Dad winked at me when Mom wasn't looking. Through our pack bond, he sent me a simple message: *"Fated mates aren't always better than the wolves we choose, little wolf. What matters is who truly respects you."*

The warm atmosphere was broken by the sound of the front door slamming open. Eric burst in, his face flushed with excitement and his eyes bright with the special glow that came from meeting one's mate.

"You won't believe who I met!" he announced, not immediately noticing Daniel. "She's perfect—"

His words cut off abruptly as his gaze landed on Daniel sitting beside me, holding my hand. His expression transformed from joy to fury in an instant.

*"What the hell is a strange wolf doing in our home?"* Eric's voice roared through our mindlink, directed solely at me. *"Are you betraying the pack, bringing outsiders here?"*