From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 69

Matthew's POV

Blood dripped from my claws as I dispatched another rogue wolf. The bastard had barely put up a fight, but I couldn't afford to feel any satisfaction.

*Are there any more?* I mindlinked to the security team, scanning the forest while standing protectively over James's injured form.

*All clear, Alpha. The remaining three fled south,* came Ryan's response.

I shifted back to human form and quickly pulled on the clothes stashed nearby. "James, how bad is it?" I asked, kneeling beside him as he also shifted.

His face was pale, but what struck me was the strange mixture of pain and joy in his eyes. "Not as bad as it looks," he winced, pressing a hand to the deep gash on his shoulder. "But Matthew, I need to get back. Now."

"You're bleeding heavily. We need to—"

"It's Olivia," he interrupted, his voice thick with emotion. "She's in labor. I can feel it through our bond. It's happening right now."

I froze, understanding immediately. The mate bond between wolves allowed partners to sense each other's strongest emotions and physical states. If James could feel Olivia's labor pains from this distance...

"How long?" I asked, already helping him to his feet.

"Started about twenty minutes ago. It's... intense." His face contorted, experiencing an echo of his mate's pain.

"Ryan," I called out, "take over here. Full perimeter sweep, then fall back to secondary positions. James and I are heading back now."

I supported James as we hurried through the forest toward my truck. His breathing was labored, but his mind was clearly elsewhere—with Olivia.

As I drove us back to the community center, I kept one eye on James and one on the road. "The medical team should be able to handle it," I reassured him, pressing harder on the accelerator.

James shook his head. "They're still dealing with casualties from the attack. That's why we were short-handed today." His knuckles whitened as he gripped the dashboard. "Olivia's alone, Matthew."

My heart sank. Our pack doctor and two nurses were busy with the injured warriors from the ambush. Who was with Olivia? The research students? They were medical professionals, but delivering a werewolf baby was different—potentially dangerous if the infant shifted during birth.

I pushed the truck faster, tires eating up the dirt road. Ten minutes later, we pulled up to James and Olivia's house. Light spilled from every window, and I could hear movement inside.

"Go," I told James, helping him from the truck. "I'll be right behind you."

But James paused, his nostrils flaring. "It's over," he whispered, wonder replacing the tension in his voice. "I can sense them both... they're okay."

Relief flooded through me, but I still needed to get him inside. His shoulder wound had soaked through the makeshift bandage.

As we approached the porch steps, the front door opened. Julia stood in the doorway, cradling a small bundle wrapped in a blue blanket.

Time seemed to stop. The sight of her holding the newborn child struck me with an unexpected force. Her face was flushed, her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, but she radiated a gentle strength that took my breath away. The soft glow from the house illuminated her as she carefully cradled the baby, her movements so natural, so tender.

Hati, my wolf, stirred within me. *Look at her. She gave life today.*

I couldn't look away. Something long dormant inside me cracked open, a feeling I'd buried alongside Rachel's memory.

"It's a boy," Julia said softly, her eyes meeting James's. "A healthy baby boy. Your mate is asking for you."

James made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob as he rushed past her into the house. I remained frozen on the bottom step, unable to move, unable to process the strange warmth spreading through my chest.

Julia's eyes shifted to me, widening slightly at my disheveled appearance and the blood staining my clothes. "Are you hurt?" she asked, professional concern replacing the maternal glow.

I shook my head. "It's not mine," I managed to say. "How is Olivia?"

"Tired but well. The delivery was complicated—breech position—but she's strong." Julia stepped forward, bringing the baby closer to me. "Would you like to meet the newest member of your pack?"

I hesitated, then climbed the steps until I stood before her. The baby's face was tiny, perfect, with a shock of dark hair like James's. Without thinking, I reached out, my finger gently touching his small hand.

The baby's fingers instinctively curled around mine, and something inside me shattered completely.

"Thank you," I said, my voice rougher than intended. "For what you did today. For helping them when we couldn't be here."

Julia smiled, the expression lighting up her tired face. "It's what I do."

"Julia..." I started, then stopped, uncertain how to continue. I needed to tell her about the attack, about who was behind it. "There's something you should know."

Her smile faded at my tone. "What happened out there?"

I took a deep breath. "The attack was coordinated, planned. We found evidence that it was... Nathan. Nathan Reynolds. He's recruiting rogues, targeting our pack."

The color drained from Julia's face. Her arms tightened protectively around the baby, and I saw fear flash across her features. She knew exactly what Nathan's presence meant—and why he might be here.

"You're safe," I said quickly, the protective instinct surging through me surprising in its intensity. "I promise you, Julia. I won't let anything happen to you."

She nodded, but the fear remained in her eyes. "Can we talk somewhere private?" she asked, glancing back into the house.

She carefully brought the baby back inside, and I heard her speaking quietly to someone—probably Sarah or Taylor—before she returned to the porch. We walked a short distance away from the house, stopping beneath the old oak tree in the yard.

"He's here because of me," she said, wrapping her arms around herself. "I'm putting your entire pack in danger just by being here."

"This isn't your fault," I insisted.

"It is." Her voice trembled slightly. "Nathan wouldn't be targeting your pack if I wasn't here. I should leave—end my part in the research project early."

"No." The word came out sharper than I intended, surprising us both. I softened my tone. "Running won't solve this, Julia. He'll just follow you wherever you go."

"But at least your pack wouldn't be in the crossfire," she argued, tears glistening in her eyes. "That baby in there, James, Olivia—they don't deserve to be caught in this."

I stepped closer, fighting the urge to pull her into my arms. "We can protect you, Julia. I can protect you."