From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 81

Julia's POV

Hot water cascaded down my back, steam rising around me like a protective cocoon. I closed my eyes and let the warmth seep into my muscles, washing away the physical remnants of last night's fear. If only it could wash away the memory of Nathan's hands on me, his claws at my throat.

I shivered despite the heat, then forced my mind elsewhere—to Matthew. The way he'd kicked down the door. The fury in his eyes when he saw Nathan threatening me. The gentleness in his touch afterward, so at odds with the violence he'd unleashed on my attacker.

We'd fallen asleep holding hands, his reaching up from the floor, mine hanging off the bed. Such a small point of contact, yet it had anchored me through the night, keeping the nightmares at bay. I couldn't remember the last time I'd slept so deeply.

I quickly finished washing and shut off the water. Matthew had said he was going to handle Nathan, and I wanted to catch him before he left. Maybe we could have breakfast together.

Wrapping a towel around myself, I stepped out of the shower and dried off quickly. I pulled on clean jeans and a soft sweater, running my fingers through my damp hair. When I opened the bathroom door, the bedroom's emptiness hit me immediately.

Matthew was gone.

The blanket he'd used was folded neatly on the chair, the pillow placed carefully on top. I walked over and touched the pillow lightly, my fingers tracing where his head had rested. It still held his scent—pine trees after rain, with an underlying note that was uniquely Matthew. My wolf stirred inside me, wanting to bury my face in that pillow, to surround myself with his scent.

A hollow feeling spread through my chest. I'd wanted to thank him properly, to maybe sit and talk over coffee. I reminded myself that he was the Alpha, with responsibilities that couldn't wait. Nathan was a threat that needed handling. I understood that, logically.

But understanding didn't stop the disappointment.

I opened my door to find Jason standing guard in the hallway, his posture straight and alert. When he saw me, his expression immediately shifted to one of regret, his shoulders dropping slightly.

"Julia," he said, his voice low and serious. "I owe you an apology. A big one."

I stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind me. "Jason—"

"No, please let me say this." He looked directly into my eyes. "I should have listened to Matthew. I should have trusted my instincts about you. Instead, I let Nathan manipulate me, and I failed in my duty as a warrior and as your protector." His voice cracked slightly. "I put you in danger. I'm so sorry."

The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. "You weren't the only one he fooled," I said softly. "Nathan's spent years perfecting his act. He's very good at appearing sincere."

Jason nodded. "He knew exactly what to say to make me doubt you and Matthew. He talked about mate bonds and tradition, things that matter to us as wolves." He ran a hand through his short hair. "The other security team members feel terrible too. We're trained to see threats, and we missed one right under our noses."

"Nathan's dangerous because he understands what people want to hear," I said. "He always has been."

Jason shifted his weight, seeming more at ease now that I'd accepted his apology. "I hear your research project is wrapping up soon? Just a week left?"

His words reminded me that my time in Spring Valley was running short. "Yes, that's right. We've almost completed all the data collection."

"It's been good having you here," Jason said. "Especially for Olivia. What you did, helping with the birth when our medical team was dealing with injuries from the attack... that was amazing."

I smiled, remembering the feeling of placing baby Ethan in Olivia's arms. "That was one of the most meaningful experiences I've had as a nurse student. The timing was just lucky—or unlucky, depending on how you look at it."

"Olivia says it was fate." Jason grinned. "She and James can't stop talking about you. The whole pack is impressed with your medical skills."

I felt warmth spread through me at the praise.

"You know," Jason said casually, "if you wanted to stick around after graduation, Spring Valley could always use another nurse. Especially one who understands pack physiology."

My heart skipped a beat. Stay in Spring Valley? The possibility had crossed my mind, but hearing someone else suggest it made it feel more real. Images flashed through my mind—working in the clinic, being part of this community, seeing Matthew regularly...

"I appreciate that," I said carefully, not wanting to commit to anything. "I have a lot to think about once my project is done."

Jason nodded, and I excused myself to return to my room. Once inside, I pulled out my phone, knowing there was a call I needed to make. My mother answered on the third ring.

"Julia?" Her voice was tense, cautious.

"Hi, Mom." I took a deep breath. "I need to tell you something important. Nathan's been detained here at Spring Valley. He attacked me last night."

Silence stretched across the line. Then, "Are you hurt? What happened?"

I explained briefly about Nathan's deception, his attack, and Matthew's intervention. "They've got him secured now. He'll be sent back to Star Shadow soon."

"Julia, I—" My mother's voice faltered. "This is very serious."

"That's why I'm calling. You need to be careful, Mom. Nathan isn't who everyone thinks he is. He's completely out of control." I paced around my room, anxiety building. "Has anything changed at home since he escaped?"

My mother's vague response made me clench my jaw in frustration. "Mom, please. Stop hiding things from me. It only makes it harder for me to protect myself."

After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Eric is... distressed about Nathan's betrayal. The whole pack is taking sides. Your father and Alpha Reynolds... their relationship has become strained."

I sat heavily on my bed. "Taking sides about what?"

"About Nathan's fitness to lead," she said quietly. "Some are questioning the Reynolds family altogether now."

After finishing the call with promises to stay in touch, I headed to the research room in the community center. I tried to focus on organizing our final data, but my mind kept wandering. My gaze drifted repeatedly to the door, hoping to see Matthew.

I found myself replaying last night in my mind—the terror when Nathan cornered me, followed by the flood of relief when Matthew appeared. The raw power when he threw Nathan across the room. How safe I felt when he wrapped his shirt around me.

But it was the quieter moments that kept coming back to me—Matthew sitting beside me on the bed, sharing stories about Rachel, listening as I talked about college. The way his hand had felt in mine as we drifted off to sleep.

What was happening to me? These feelings were nothing like what I'd experienced with Daniel. With Daniel, everything had been comfortable, easy. This was... complicated. Matthew carried his own pain, his own history. And I was still dealing with the aftermath of Nathan's rejection.

I stared blankly at my computer screen. Was I even worthy of love after being rejected by my fated mate? And was Matthew ready to love again after losing Rachel so tragically?