From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 71

Julia's POV

*Miss me, mate?*

Nathan's voice slithered through my mind like ice water down my spine. Even after all these days, the familiar sensation of his presence in my thoughts made my skin crawl. I felt Matthew's steady hand on my shoulder, anchoring me to reality as I fought the instinct to break the connection immediately.

*I see you've found yourself a new protector,* Nathan continued, his mental tone dripping with condescension. *How touching.*

I swallowed hard, focusing on maintaining the link while keeping my thoughts guarded. "He's here," I whispered to Matthew, whose eyes were fixed on my face, concern etched in the lines around his mouth.

*What do you want, Nathan?* I projected the thought as firmly as I could, fighting to keep the tremor out of my mental voice.

*Is that any way to greet me? After all this time?* His amusement rippled through the connection. *I've been looking for you, Julia. You've been quite difficult to track down.*

*You found me,* I responded coldly. *Now answer the question.*

A wave of irritation emanated from Nathan's side of the link. Even at this distance, I could feel his Alpha power pushing against my consciousness, trying to intimidate me.

*If you hadn't blocked our mindlink, none of this would have happened.* His voice hardened. *The attacks on your new friends could have been avoided entirely.*

Matthew's grip on my shoulder tightened slightly. I glanced at him, giving a subtle nod to indicate I was still okay.

*You're blaming me for your actions?* I shot back. *You attacked innocent people because you couldn't find me?*

Nathan's laughter echoed in my mind, hollow and mirthless. *Innocent? That Beta nearly died protecting his territory from outsiders. That's hardly innocent—it's what he's supposed to do.*

*What do you want?* I repeated, struggling to keep my growing anger from seeping into the connection.

*I want what's mine,* Nathan replied simply. *You're the daughter of a Beta, Julia. Being chosen as my mate is an honor you should appreciate. Your bloodline is... acceptable to join with mine.*

The condescension in his tone made my stomach turn. Matthew must have sensed my disgust because he moved closer, his presence a silent reminder that I wasn't facing Nathan alone.

*I'm not yours,* I stated firmly. *You rejected me, remember? You told everyone I wasn't good enough to be your mate.*

*A youthful indiscretion,* Nathan dismissed. *I've reconsidered. You should be grateful.*

I couldn't hold back my bitter laugh, which drew a questioning look from Matthew. *Grateful? You made my life hell for years. You blocked our connection, shut me out, and tormented me.*

*Things change,* Nathan replied smoothly. *It's time for you to return to Star Shadow and take your place as my mate.*

*Your father should have locked you up by now for what you did,* I interrupted, a small thrill of defiance coursing through me.

Nathan's amusement flowed through the link, sending a chill of apprehension down my spine. *Oh, he tried. The tribal council was quite upset about my little... indiscretion with your friend Daniel.*

The implication hit me like a physical blow. I exchanged a quick glance with Matthew, whose expression had darkened.

*You... escaped from tribal detention?* I couldn't keep the shock from my mental voice.

*Did you really think a detention cell could hold me?* His smugness was palpable. *My power grows stronger every day. The tribal council's punishment was... inconvenient, but temporary.*

My heart hammered in my chest. If Nathan had escaped, then no one was safe—not me, not Matthew, not anyone in Spring Valley.

*You need to come home, Julia,* Nathan continued, his tone shifting to something almost gentle—a change that alarmed me more than his anger. *I understand why you ran. I wasn't kind to you. But things will be different now.*

The sudden change in tactics was jarring and deeply unsettling. Nathan had never been one to ask nicely—he demanded, he took, he expected obedience as his birthright. But this... this calculated gentleness was something new.

He had learned to deceive, to strategize, making him infinitely more dangerous. His words were carefully crafted, almost flawless in their sincerity. If I hadn't spent my childhood as the target of his cruelty, I might have believed he was genuinely trying to change. But I knew better.

*No,* I replied firmly. *I'm not coming back.*

*Be reasonable,* he coaxed. *This arrangement benefits everyone. You return to Star Shadow as my mate, I call off any further attacks on Spring Valley, and your new... friends remain unharmed.*

*I'd rather spend my entire life without a mate than return to you,* I spat back, unable to contain my revulsion.

His anger flared hot and immediate through our connection, but he quickly tamped it down. *I'm offering you the position of Luna, Julia. Power. Respect. Everything you've been denied.*

*Lies,* I countered. *You've never respected me, and you never will. I grew up watching how you treat people, Nathan. I know exactly what kind of Alpha you'll be.*

The silence that followed was heavy, ominous. When he spoke again, his voice had lost all pretense of warmth.

*I see you've grown stubborn during your time away. Perhaps a different approach is needed.*

*Nothing you say will convince me,* I warned.

*Then perhaps we should speak in person. Or rather...* Nathan's mental voice took on a calculating edge. *I should speak with Spring Valley's Alpha. Man to man, as it were.*

My panic spiked. *This is between you and me.*

*Not anymore,* Nathan replied coldly. *Not when you've sought his protection. That makes it his concern too, doesn't it?*

*Matthew has nothing to do with this,* I insisted, feeling Matthew's questioning gaze on me as he sensed my growing distress.

*Matthew?* Nathan's voice dripped with mock surprise. *On a first-name basis with an Alpha already? How... intimate.*

I refused to rise to the bait. *What do you want, Nathan?*

*A meeting,* he replied simply. *Between Alpha Collins and me. He can bring his security team—I expect nothing less.*

*Why should he agree to meet you at all?* I said immediately.

*Because it benefits everyone,* Nathan countered smoothly. *The northern cliffs, where your territories meet the wilderness. Tomorrow at sunset. I'm not foolish enough to think I could defeat him in direct combat, Julia. My attacks might cause trouble, but they won't give me victory, and they certainly won't help me.*

*It's still a trap,* I said bluntly.

Nathan's amusement rippled through our connection. *Such distrust. I simply want to discuss our situation like civilized Alphas. Even I recognize when a tactical retreat is necessary. Fighting Alpha Collins directly serves neither of us.*

*You've never been civilized,* I retorted.

*The northern cliffs,* Nathan repeated, ignoring my comment. *Sunset. Tell him he can bring whatever security makes him comfortable. I just want to talk. Or the next attack won't be at your borders—it'll be right in the heart of your precious new home.*

Before I could respond, the connection snapped shut with such force that I gasped, my eyes flying open to meet Matthew's concerned gaze. The abrupt severing of the link left me disoriented, my head pounding as if I'd been struck.

"Julia?" Matthew's voice was tense with worry. "What happened? What did he say?"

I shivered, feeling the phantom chill of Nathan's presence lingering in my mind. "He's escaped," I managed, my voice unsteady. "From detention. And he's..." I swallowed hard. "He wants to meet you."