From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 72

Matthew's POV

I stood at the window of my office, watching the sun began its descent toward the mountains. The forest was quiet, deceptively peaceful. But I knew better. The threat was still out there—Nathan Reynolds was waiting.

"You can't seriously be considering this," Julia said from behind me, her voice tight with tension. "It's obviously a trap."

I turned to face her, taking in the worry etched across her features. Part of me wanted to agree with her, to lock down our territory and keep her safely inside. But that wasn't what an Alpha did. That wasn't what I needed to do.

"I have to meet him," I said, keeping my voice firm but gentle. "If I don't, he'll keep attacking. More people will get hurt."

"He wants me," Julia insisted. "This is all about me. Let me—"

"No." The word came out sharper than I intended, and I saw her flinch. I softened my tone. "I won't use you as bait, Julia. That's not happening."

James cleared his throat from the doorway. "Security team's ready. We've gone over the meeting location. Northern cliffs give us good visibility and limited approach routes. We'll have teams positioned in the trees on our side of the border."

"Good," I nodded. "Any sign of additional rogues?"

"Nothing yet," James replied, his hand absently touching the bandages visible beneath his shirt—a reminder of Nathan's previous attack. "But we're not taking any chances. Full security detail, armed with silver."

Hati stirred within me, growling low. *Remember what he did to James. Remember the blood.*

I didn't need the reminder. The image of James lying wounded, blood seeping through his shirt, was burned into my memory. Nathan Reynolds was dangerous, unpredictable. But I had to face him.

"I'm coming with you," Julia said, her chin lifting in determination.

"Absolutely not," I replied, leaving no room for argument. "You'll stay here with Olivia and the baby. Extra security on the house."

Julia opened her mouth to protest, but something in my expression must have convinced her it was pointless. She pressed her lips together and nodded stiffly.

---

The northern cliffs were bathed in the orange glow of sunset when we arrived. The security team spread out, taking positions among the trees while James and I approached the meeting point—a small clearing near the edge of the cliff.

I caught his scent before I saw him. Nathan Reynolds stood at the far side of the clearing, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. He wore simple jeans and a black t-shirt, looking far different from the bloodied attacker who had ambushed my Beta days ago.

"That's close enough," I called out when we were about twenty feet apart.

Nathan nodded, then did something that caught me completely off guard. He slowly knelt, placing both wrists together in front of him.

"I've come to surrender," he said, his voice hoarse with what sounded like emotion. "I'll accept whatever restraints you deem necessary."

James and I exchanged a quick glance of surprise. This was not what we had expected.

"Check him," I ordered. Two security team members approached cautiously, searching Nathan for weapons and binding his wrists with silver-reinforced restraints. He winced at the contact but made no move to resist.

"You attacked my pack," I said coldly once the restraints were secure. "You nearly killed my Beta. Give me one reason why I shouldn't end this right now."

Nathan raised his eyes to meet mine. They were red-rimmed, as though he had been crying.

"Because I made a terrible mistake," he said, his voice breaking. "Many mistakes. And I'm here to make them right."

---

"I was young," Nathan continued, still kneeling on the ground. "When the Moon Goddess chose Julia as my mate, I was terrified. A mate meant responsibility, commitment—things I wasn't ready for."

I kept my face impassive, but inside, I was stunned by his apparent sincerity.

"I rejected her," he said, genuine pain crossing his features. "I told everyone she wasn't good enough for me, when the truth was, I wasn't good enough for her. I was a coward."

*He's lying,* Hati growled. *This is an act.*

I wasn't so sure. The raw emotion in Nathan's voice seemed real. Or he was an excellent actor.

"And what about your attacks on Julia's guest?" I asked. "Daniel?"

Nathan hung his head. "When I saw Julia with that hewolf—Daniel—something snapped inside me. The bond... even though I'd rejected it, it was still there, torturing me. I lost control."

He looked up again, his eyes pleading. "I'm not justifying what I did. It was unforgivable. I just want you to understand."

"And James? My Beta?" I pressed.

"Another terrible mistake," Nathan whispered. "I was desperate to find Julia. When your Beta tried to stop me... my wolf took over."

I studied him carefully. Everything about his posture screamed submission and regret. But something felt off.

"What do you want, Nathan?" I finally asked.

"A second chance," he replied without hesitation. "The chance to make things right with Julia. To apologize for years of cruelty. To see if there's any possibility of healing what I broke."

*Don't listen to him,* Hati warned. *Remember how Rachel died. Remember what it felt like to lose her.*

The pain of that memory hit me like a physical blow. Losing Rachel had nearly destroyed me. The mate bond, once severed, left a wound that never truly healed.

And yet... wasn't that precisely why I couldn't simply dismiss Nathan's request? I knew the agony of losing a mate. Could I, in good conscience, prevent someone from attempting to repair a bond that still existed?

"Julia doesn't want to see you," I said firmly. "She's made that very clear."

"I understand," Nathan nodded. "But shouldn't that be her choice? After everything I've done, don't I at least owe her the opportunity to hear my apology in person? To reject me to my face if that's what she wants?"

I hated to admit it, but he had a point. Who was I to make this decision for Julia?

*He attacked us!* Hati snarled. *He nearly killed James. He threatened our territory. Our people.*

"How do I know this isn't just another trap?" I asked aloud. "That you won't try to take her by force?"

Nathan's expression changed, becoming resolute. "I'll prove my sincerity," he said. He turned to James. "You carry wolfsbane tincture, don't you? Standard security protocol?"

James nodded cautiously.

"Give it to me," Nathan said. "I'll drink it."

My eyes widened slightly. Wolfsbane tincture wouldn't kill a werewolf, but it would severely weaken one, suppressing our ability to shift for at least 12 hours. It was painful, debilitating—no wolf would voluntarily drink it unless they were truly desperate.

James looked at me questioningly. I nodded once, and he produced a small vial of dark liquid from his pocket.

Nathan took it with bound hands, removed the stopper, and without hesitation, drank the entire contents. Almost immediately, he doubled over, a strangled groan escaping his lips as the wolfsbane took effect. His face contorted in pain, sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"That's... my proof," he gasped when the worst of the initial reaction had passed. "I can't shift. Can't fight. I'm at your mercy."

I watched him struggle through the pain, weighing my options. If I turned him away, the attacks might continue. If I allowed him into Spring Valley under guard, at least we could monitor him. And Julia... Julia deserved the right to make her own choice.

"Here are my terms," I finally said. "You'll remain in custody at all times. You'll be housed in our detention facility. You'll have one supervised meeting with Julia—if she agrees to it. After that, she decides what happens next. Understood?"

Nathan nodded weakly, still fighting the effects of the wolfsbane. "Thank you, Alpha Collins. That's... more than fair."

As the security team helped Nathan to his feet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. But I'd made my decision. Now I just had to explain it to Julia.