From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 90

Nathan's POV

I stared down at the silver handcuffs binding my wrists, the cool metal a stark reminder of my temporary defeat. The enforcement vehicle from Spring Valley pack rumbled beneath me as we approached the familiar territory of Star Shadow. I kept my expression neutral, my posture defeated, but inside my mind raced with calculations.

"We're almost there," the enforcement officer said, his tone professional but laced with disdain.

I nodded silently, playing the part of the subdued prisoner while Shadow, my wolf, snarled within me. *They'll regret this humiliation. Collins will pay for interfering with what's mine.*

Through the window, I could see the towering redwoods that marked our territory, and as we approached the community center, my father's figure came into view. Robert Reynolds stood tall, his face a mask of stern authority, flanked by several pack elders and security team members. I quickly assessed the situation, noting who was present and cataloging potential allies and enemies.

*Time to put on a show,* I thought, adjusting my expression to one of shame and regret.

The vehicle stopped, and the officer opened my door. "Out," he commanded.

I stepped onto familiar ground, keeping my head slightly bowed, eyes downcast—the perfect picture of a repentant son. But inside, Shadow and I were in perfect agreement: this was merely a temporary setback.

"Reynolds Alpha," the enforcement captain said formally, "according to protocol, we are returning Nathan Reynolds to your jurisdiction after his violation of pack rules. Here is Alpha Collins' official report of the incident and evidence."

My father nodded stiffly. "Thank you for your professional handling of this matter. Please convey my gratitude to Alpha Collins."

I kept my face carefully blank, but Shadow growled at the mention of Collins. *He touched what's ours. He interfered with our plans.*

The Spring Valley officers departed, and I watched my father's controlled expression until their vehicle disappeared from view. The moment they were gone, his hand shot out, grabbing my collar and dragging me toward the community center. Pack members quickly scattered, pretending not to notice as their Alpha manhandled his son.

He shoved me into the interrogation room and locked the door behind us. The sound of that lock clicking into place might have frightened someone else, but I'd anticipated this. I knew my father—knew his anger, his pressure points, and most importantly, his weaknesses.

The slap came without warning, snapping my head to the side. The sting spread across my cheek, but I didn't retaliate. Instead, I allowed tears to well in my eyes, maintaining direct but wounded eye contact with him. His expression shifted from rage to momentary confusion, exactly as I'd predicted.

"How dare you humiliate our family like this!" he roared, his Alpha voice making the walls vibrate.

I didn't flinch. Instead, I let a single tear fall, carefully calibrating my response. "I only wanted to fix my mistake," I said, my voice deliberately soft as I touched my reddening cheek. "You've been saying I need a mate... I realized rejecting Julia was the biggest mistake I've ever made. I wanted to tell her I was willing to accept what fate had arranged."

My father's bitter laugh cut through the room as he threw down a stack of files. "And you decided to 'fix' it by breaking into her residence, threatening her, and attempting to force a mating mark after she clearly refused? The report shows you invaded her home, threatened her, and tried to force a mark even after she explicitly rejected you!"

I allowed my gaze to flicker, introducing just the right amount of shame and defensiveness. This was the delicate part—mixing truth with lies. "She humiliated me in front of Collins," I said, letting genuine anger color my voice. "She told me I wasn't worthy of being Alpha, that I'd never measure up to him... my wolf lost control. It was wrong, I know that, but I never truly meant to harm her."

"You injured pack members who tried to stop you," my father countered, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"They attacked first," I shot back with rehearsed indignation. "I was defending myself!"

I could see doubt beginning to creep into his expression. Time to deploy my most effective weapon—our shared history.

"Dad," I said softly, deliberately using the familiar term rather than the formal 'father' I typically used in pack settings. "Do you remember when I was six? You took me deer hunting, and we got lost in the forest."

His expression shifted subtly, the anger giving way to something more complex. I pressed my advantage.

"That night, you told me that Reynolds men always take responsibility for their choices, no matter the cost." I met his eyes directly, injecting emotion into my voice. "Why are you now willing to believe an outsider's report over your own son? I used to be the child you knew best." The tears came easier now, calculated but effective. "Am I really as bad as they say? So beyond redemption?"

I watched his eyes change from hard to conflicted. He'd always had a blind spot when it came to our shared memories, and I'd just driven a wedge between his duty as Alpha and his love as a father—exactly as intended.

My father's shoulders sagged slightly, a nearly imperceptible surrender that only I would recognize. "Nathan," he sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "I want to believe you. But your actions violated pack rules and werewolf law. You will be confined to the special room in our family residence until I and the council decide the next steps."

I lowered my head, allowing relief to show on my face. "I understand, Father. This time will give me a chance to reflect. I'll prove to you that I'm worthy of your trust."

As security escorted me to my confinement quarters, I maintained my subdued demeanor. The guards watched me warily, but I gave them nothing to report. When the heavy door finally closed and I was alone, I leaned against the wall, a satisfied smile creeping across my face.

"Phase one complete," I murmured to Shadow. "Soon, Father will release me entirely... and then, Julia and her new 'protector' will learn what real revenge looks like. No one takes what's mine... even something I no longer want."

I stretched out on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Patience had never been my virtue, but for this—for the sweet promise of retribution—I could wait. After all, I'd been trained my whole life to think like an Alpha. And Alphas always played the long game.