From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 96

Nathan's POV

I extended the claws on my right hand, watching them glint in the harsh fluorescent lighting. The guard had rushed off to call for help after seeing my "suicide attempt" with the mouse blood. I could already hear the commotion outside—they would be contacting my father immediately. Protocol demanded it.

But I knew my father too well. He would see through this deception in seconds. The mouse blood might fool these wolves temporarily, but Robert Reynolds hadn't become Alpha by being easily fooled. One look and he'd know I was manipulating the situation.

No, I needed something more convincing. Something real.

Wolf claws were remarkably sharp—capable of tearing through flesh with minimal effort. I positioned my left arm over the small sink in the corner of my cell. No need to make more of a mess than necessary.

With clinical precision, I dragged my claws across my left wrist, applying just enough pressure to create a real wound without hitting anything vital. Blood immediately welled up, bright red against my skin. I felt the sting, but it was distant, unimportant compared to what I would gain.

The cut wasn't deep enough to be life-threatening—I wasn't actually trying to die, just create a convincing display. I grabbed a towel from the bathroom and pressed it against the wound, letting enough blood soak through to make it look serious. Then I leaned back on the bed and closed my eyes, arranging my features into an expression of hopeless despair.

An hour later, the detention facility's meeting room had been converted into an impromptu medical recovery space. I lay on a bed that had been brought in, my bandaged wrist resting visibly on top of the blanket. Dr. Moore had cleaned and stitched the wound, looking concerned but not fooled.

"This is not deep enough to be life-threatening," he'd murmured as he worked.

I'd said nothing, keeping my expression blank, waiting for the real audience to arrive.

The door burst open, and my father strode in, his Alpha presence filling the room instantly. Behind him came my mother, her face pale with worry.

"Nathan?" My father's voice was thick with emotion—anger, fear, and something that sounded remarkably like guilt. "What have you done to yourself?"

Mother pushed past him, rushing to my bedside. "My baby! Oh, Nathan!"

She pulled back the blanket to examine my bandaged wrist, her hands trembling as she gently touched the gauze. "What have they done to you here? How could they let this happen?"

I averted my gaze, letting my body slump into the pillows. "I couldn't take it anymore," I whispered, making my voice deliberately weak. "The isolation, the silence... everyone treating me like I'm nothing."

The guilt on my father's face was exactly what I'd hoped for. I fought to keep the satisfaction from showing in my eyes.

"Alpha Reynolds," Dr. Moore began formally. "We've taken every precaution with your son's detention. There was no indication he was at risk of self-harm."

"Then you weren't watching closely enough," my mother snapped, her protective instincts fully activated. "Look at him! My son has never been in trouble before this... this misunderstanding with that Julia. And now he's driven to harm himself? This is unacceptable!"

Father placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. "Emma, please. Let's hear what Nathan has to say."

I swallowed hard, looking up at them with carefully manufactured vulnerability. "I just... I've been thinking about everything that happened. About Julia." I paused, letting my voice break slightly. "I never meant for things to go this far. I know I made mistakes with her."

"You made mistakes with a lot of people," my father said, his expression stern despite his obvious concern. "Julia White is just one in a long line of poor decisions."

"Robert!" Mother's voice was sharp with disapproval. "Can't you see he's suffering? This is hardly the time for criticism!"

"When is the time, Emma?" Father countered, his frustration evident. "This is exactly why we're in this situation. Every time Nathan does something wrong, you rush to defend him. He never faces consequences."

"So this is my fault?" Mother's eyes flashed dangerously. "Because I love my son? Because I've supported him his entire life?"

"Because you've spoiled him," Father corrected firmly. "Nathan is our only son, our only Alpha heir, and you've treated him like he can do no wrong since the day he was born."

I watched them argue, the plan unfolding perfectly. As they continued to trade accusations, I carefully adjusted my position, wincing visibly as I moved my bandaged wrist. The small display of pain had the desired effect—both parents immediately stopped arguing and turned their attention back to me.

"Please don't fight," I said softly, injecting a note of distress into my voice. "I didn't do this because of the detention or the punishment. I deserved that. I did this because... because I finally realized what I've lost."

I met my father's eyes directly, letting him see the manufactured sincerity I'd practiced. "I've made terrible mistakes, especially with Julia. I rejected my fated mate because I was young and stupid and afraid of commitment. And now she's gone, maybe forever, and I can feel it like a physical wound inside me."

The lie flowed easily, almost believably. In truth, I'd never felt anything for Julia beyond irritation and occasional possessiveness. But my parents didn't need to know that.

"Oh, Nathan." Mother clutched my uninjured hand. "It's not too late. If she's truly your fated mate, there must be a way to make things right."

"The Moon Goddess chose her for you for a reason," she continued, turning to my father. "Robert, we need to help him. Surely there's some way to approach the White family, to explain that Nathan has recognized his mistake."

Father frowned, skepticism written across his features. "After everything that's happened? The attack at our Pack, the assault at Spring Valley? I doubt Julia White would even consider speaking to him."

"We have to try," Mother insisted. "For Nathan's sake. Look at him—he's devastated. This is clearly affecting him deeply."

I cast my eyes downward, the picture of remorse. "I understand if it's too late," I said quietly. "I just... I need to at least tell her I'm sorry. That I was wrong."

Father studied me with narrowed eyes. I could almost see him weighing my words, searching for deception. He'd always been able to read me better than anyone else, which was precisely why I'd needed the physical injury to sell this performance.

"Even if I believed this sudden change of heart," he said carefully, "Julia is being guarded by Alpha Collins himself now. Spring Valley won't allow you anywhere near her."

"There must be a way," Mother urged. "Traditional pack law allows for reconciliation between fated mates. It's a sacred bond, Robert—you know this."

I watched them carefully, seeing my mother position herself as my advocate while my father's resistance slowly eroded. This was exactly what I needed—my mother pushing for access to Julia while appearing to support a heartfelt reconciliation.

"I'll speak with Julia's father," Father finally conceded. "Beta White has always been reasonable. But Nathan," he fixed me with a stern look, "if this is another game, if you're not sincere about making amends..."

"I am sincere," I interrupted, meeting his gaze steadily. "I know I've made mistakes. Terrible ones. But losing Julia..." I let my voice crack with emotion, "it's shown me what really matters."

Mother squeezed my hand, tears in her eyes. "We'll help you, sweetheart. Whatever it takes."

Father looked less convinced but nodded reluctantly. "We'll see what can be done. In the meantime, you'll return home with us for proper medical treatment and observation."

I allowed myself the smallest smile, hidden as I turned my face toward the pillow. The cut on my wrist would heal within days, thanks to my wolf's regenerative abilities. And I had secured exactly what I wanted—a path back to Julia, with my mother as my strongest advocate.

Father might still harbor doubts, but Mother would wear him down. She always did when it came to me. And once I had access to Julia again, I would reclaim what was rightfully mine—not because I wanted her, but because no one took what belonged to me.

Especially not that sanctimonious Alpha, Matthew Collins.