From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 80

Matthew's POV

Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting golden stripes across the room as I opened my eyes. For a moment, I was disoriented by the hardness beneath me and the unfamiliar angle of light. Then yesterday's events rushed back—Nathan's attack on Julia, her tearful breakdown, my promise to stay.

I had slept on the floor of Julia's room, and strangely, it had been the most peaceful night's sleep I'd had in years. No nightmares. No restless turning. Just...rest.

*Good morning, sunshine,* Hati's voice rumbled through my mind, tinged with amusement. *Someone slept well.*

I ignored my wolf's teasing tone and stretched carefully, expecting stiffness from a night on hardwood. Surprisingly, my body felt limber and energized despite the uncomfortable surface. Back in my own bed—my expensive, custom memory foam mattress—I would have tossed and turned all night.

My hand felt oddly empty, and I remembered how Julia and I had fallen asleep—fingers intertwined, her hand hanging off the bed, mine reaching up from the floor. That small connection had somehow anchored us both through the night.

I glanced toward the bed, instantly alert when I realized Julia wasn't there. The sheets were rumpled, the impression of her body still visible in the mattress. Her scent lingered strongly on the bedding.

My heart rate spiked, instinct sending me into high alert. Had Nathan somehow broken free? Did he have accomplices we hadn't caught?

*Calm down,* Hati chided. *Listen.*

I stilled my breathing and focused my enhanced hearing. The sound of running water came from behind the closed bathroom door. The shower. Julia was just taking a shower.

The tension drained from my shoulders, replaced immediately by a different kind of awareness as my body responded to the thought of Julia naked under streaming water just a few yards away.

*That's perfectly natural,* Hati commented smugly. *She's attractive, and you're responding to a potential mate.*

*She's not my mate,* I shot back mentally. *This is just...biology.*

*Keep telling yourself that.*

I sat up quickly, trying to redirect my thoughts. This wasn't appropriate. Julia had been traumatized last night, nearly forced into a bond she didn't want. The last thing she needed was another wolf thinking about her that way.

Still, the realization hit me hard—this was the first time since Rachel died that I'd had this kind of response to another woman. A flash of guilt surged through me, as if I were being unfaithful to Rachel's memory.

*She would want you to live again,* Hati said gently. *Rachel loved life too much to expect you to stop living yours.*

I knew he was right. Rachel had been full of joy, of light. In our last conversation before that terrible night, she'd been planning our future, talking about children and growing old together. She wouldn't have wanted me to spend years alone, drowning in grief.

The bathroom water shut off. I needed to leave before Julia emerged. Whatever confusing feelings were stirring inside me, now wasn't the time to explore them. Julia needed space and safety, not complications.

I quickly located my shirt on the chair where Julia had placed it after wearing it herself. The garment now carried her scent mixed with mine, and something primal in me approved of that blending. I pushed the thought away as I pulled it on and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to look somewhat presentable rather than like a man who'd just woken up on someone's floor.

Moving to the bathroom door, I knocked softly. "Julia? It's me, Matthew."

The shuffling inside paused. "Yes?" Her voice sounded tentative, uncertain.

"I need to go handle the situation with Nathan," I explained, keeping my voice low and calm. "Make sure he's properly secured and can't threaten you or anyone else in the pack."

"Oh...okay," she replied.

"I'll arrange for Olivia or another female pack member to come stay with you if you'd like."

There was a pause. "What's happening with Nathan now?" she asked.

"He's being held in our secure facility," I said, leaning slightly against the door frame. "Four of our strongest warriors are watching him in shifts. I need to arrange a formal meeting with the Star Shadow pack to discuss what happens next."

"Will he...can he still reach me through the mindlink?"

The fear in her voice made my jaw clench. "We've given him a mild sedative that should make it difficult for him to focus enough for that. Your safety is my priority, Julia."

"Thank you," she said softly. "For last night. For coming when you did."

I heard the bathroom door handle turn slightly, and my heart rate accelerated. I stepped back quickly.

"No need to thank me. It's my responsibility." I took another step back. "I should go. You need...privacy. I'll check on you later."

The door handle continued to turn, and panic surged through me. "Goodbye," I said hastily, then turned and strode quickly to the exit. I pulled the door open and nearly collided with Jason standing in the hallway.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Alpha," he said, straightening immediately. "I didn't expect to see you here so early."

"I was checking on Julia and briefing her about Nathan's situation," I said, my voice automatically shifting to my professional Alpha tone. "Continue your guard duty and inform James that I need him to prepare for a video conference with Star Shadow pack."

Without waiting for his response, I continued down the hallway toward my office, my mind sorting through the tasks ahead. This was safer territory—pack politics and security—not the confusing tangle of emotions I'd been experiencing in Julia's room.

James was already waiting when I entered my office. He stood by the window, looking tired but alert, a cup of coffee in his hand.

"How is she?" he asked immediately.

"Safe. Shaken, but she'll recover with time," I replied, moving to my desk.

"And Nathan?"

I sank into my chair, running a hand through my hair. "Still in the holding cell?"

James nodded. "The strongest security we have. Silver-reinforced cell, four of our best warriors rotating shifts." He paused. "He's been quiet. Won't talk to anyone except to demand an audience with you."

I rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of the situation. "This is a diplomatic nightmare, James. Alpha Reynolds' son captured in our territory..."

"After violating multiple wolf laws," James countered. "Attacking another pack, drugging himself to mask his abilities, attempting to force a mark on his mate—"

"I know," I interrupted. "But Star Shadow pack may not see it that way. Not at first."

I turned to the laptop on my desk and opened a folder of evidence Ryan had extracted from Julia's damaged phone. "We have some of the threats Nathan sent her. It should be enough to start the conversation, at least."

James leaned closer to see the screen, his expression darkening as he read Nathan's messages about deception, threats, and his plans to forcibly mark Julia. "This goes beyond youthful rebellion," he muttered. "This was calculated and cruel."

I nodded grimly, closing the folder. The evidence was damning, but handling this situation would require all my diplomatic skills. A young Alpha-in-training from a neighboring pack was in our custody after attacking one of our pack members. The implications could affect inter-pack relations for years to come.

But as I prepared for the difficult conversations ahead, one thought remained crystal clear: I would protect Julia White, whatever the cost.