From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 83

Julia's POV

"That was the best dinner I've ever had in my life," I whispered to my reflection in the mirror, still feeling the lingering warmth of last night's date with Matthew. Kaia hummed contentedly inside me, agreeing wholeheartedly.

When Matthew had asked me to dinner at the end of our lunch, I'd said yes right away. But by that afternoon, I couldn't stop the panic rising in my chest. I paced my small room, thinking up excuses to cancel. Maybe I could tell him there was a problem with my research data that needed immediate attention. Or that I had a headache coming on. Anything to avoid putting myself out there again. After everything with Nathan, the idea of letting someone new into my life terrified me. Even someone who had already saved me twice.

"You should go," Olivia had insisted when I'd called her for advice that afternoon. "Matthew is nothing like Nathan. And honey, you deserve a chance to feel something good for once."

I'd spent nearly two hours getting ready, changing outfits four times and redoing my hair twice. My hands trembled as I applied mascara, wondering if I was making a mistake. What if this was just gratitude I was feeling? What if I was just a project to him, some broken thing he needed to fix?

But then Matthew arrived at exactly 7 PM, right on time. Not early to pressure me, not late to make me anxious. He stood at my door holding wildflowers instead of expensive roses, wearing dark jeans and a deep blue button-down that brought out his eyes.

"Nothing fancy," he'd said with that half-smile that made my heart skip. "Just picked these from the meadow on my way over."

The restaurant he chose was perfect—a small place at the edge of the valley, far from the main pack areas where everyone would be watching and whispering. The lighting was warm, the music soft, and our table was tucked into a corner with a view of the forest. I noticed right away that he'd specifically requested a table where I could see the exit. A small thing, but it meant everything.

"Is this okay?" he'd asked, pulling out my chair. "If you'd rather go somewhere else—"

"It's perfect," I said, meaning it.

Throughout dinner, Matthew kept finding ways to put me at ease. He adjusted his seat so I wouldn't feel crowded. He asked what I liked to drink and remembered I'd once mentioned preferring pinot noir. He asked questions about my research and actually listened to my answers.

Unlike Nathan, who always dominated conversations, Matthew wanted to hear my thoughts. When I mentioned a medical journal I'd been reading, he asked thoughtful questions instead of changing the subject to himself.

"I used to hide in the library as a kid," he admitted with a self-deprecating laugh. "James would be out playing sports, and I'd be tucked between the shelves reading about ancient civilizations. My dad worried I'd never make a proper Alpha."

It was strange and wonderful to see this side of him—not the powerful Alpha who had thrown Nathan across a room, but a man who'd once been a bookish kid who didn't quite fit the mold.

When he talked about Spring Valley's history, his eyes lit up with genuine passion, but he never lectured or tried to impress me with his knowledge.

After dinner, we walked along a nearby trail. "Would you like to take a walk?" he'd asked, not assumed. The moon filtered through the trees, casting silver patterns on the path. I noticed that Matthew kept a respectful distance, close enough to talk easily but not so close that I felt cornered.

We stopped beside a small stream, watching the moonlight dance on the rippling water. His hand accidentally brushed against mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity run up my arm. When our eyes met, time seemed to stop.

"Julia," he said softly, his voice rough with emotion. "May I kiss you?"

The simple request—asking permission instead of taking—made my heart swell. I nodded, unable to speak.

His lips were gentle yet firm against mine, one hand lightly cupping my cheek. Matthew didn't rush, just took his time, his kiss slow like he wanted to taste every bit of me. I kissed him back right away, my body instantly hot wherever he touched me.

Matthew's touch was soft but sure. His hand slid under my blouse to my bare lower back, his warm fingers making my skin tingle and burn. He kept his touch respectful, staying just at my waist, but that was enough to make me wet between my legs, my body reacting in ways I couldn't control.

The kiss wasn't hard or desperate. It was the kind that made me want more and more. My nipples tightened against my bra, and my hips wanted to press against him on their own. My legs felt like jelly, barely holding me up as his fingers traced small circles on my skin. I found myself pushing closer, wanting to feel more of him against me.

Kaia whimpered happily inside me, a sound of contentment I'd never heard from her before. In that moment, I felt a sense of belonging I'd never experienced—not with Daniel, certainly not with Nathan.

When Matthew drove me back to my quarters, he walked me to my door but didn't crowd me or assume he was coming inside. He took my hand and pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles.

"Thank you for tonight," he said, his eyes soft in the hallway light.

After he left, I closed my door and leaned against it, replaying every moment of the evening.