From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 98

Julia's POV

The morning air was crisp as I walked across campus toward my first class. My mind kept drifting back to Matthew's apartment, to waking up in his arms, to the safety I'd felt there. I smiled to myself, still not quite believing how quickly everything had changed.

"Julia! Wait up!"

I turned to see Amber jogging toward me, her blonde ponytail bouncing with each step. She caught up, slightly breathless, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded, playfully swatting my arm.

My heart skipped a beat. "Tell you what?" Did she somehow know about Matthew and me already?

"About Professor Collins!" She leaned in conspiratorially. "How did you not mention that the new professor for our Medical Ethics elective is literally the hottest guy on campus?"

Relief washed over me. "Oh, that. I didn't think it was a big deal."

"Not a big deal?" Amber's eyes widened comically. "It's all anyone's talking about! That tall, gorgeous Alpha—Matthew Collins." She sighed dramatically. "Half the female student body is signing up just to see him twice a week."

I fought back a smile, remembering my own first reaction to seeing him. "Really? The students in yesterday's class seemed pretty composed."

"Oh, sure, everyone acts professional to his face," Amber waved dismissively. "But trust me, the group chats are blowing up. Even some of the guys admit he's intimidating in that sexy, authority-figure way."

Kaia stirred within me, pleased at the reminder of just how desirable our mate was to others. *Ours*, she preened. I mentally shushed her.

"By the way," Amber said as we approached the science building, "where were you last night? You didn't come back to the dorm at all. I was starting to worry."

I froze momentarily, unprepared for the question. "I, uh..." My mind raced for an explanation.

"Hot date?" she teased, nudging me with her elbow.

I felt heat rise in my cheeks. "Just needed some space," I finally said, which wasn't entirely a lie.

Amber's expression softened. "I get it. After what happened with Daniel, you deserve some privacy." She squeezed my arm gently. "Just know I'm here if you want to talk."

Gratitude rushed through me. My last relationship with Daniel had ended amicably enough—we'd been good together, and the breakup wasn't because either of us had done anything wrong. But the aftermath had still been overwhelming. The concerned looks, the constant questions, everyone wanting to analyze what had happened—it was all well-intentioned, but exhausting nonetheless.

"Thanks, Amber. I appreciate that."

She mercifully changed the subject, chattering about an upcoming party as we entered the building. I half-listened, nodding occasionally while my thoughts drifted back to Matthew.

Was I ready for people to know about us? The relationship was so new, so precious. Part of me wanted to keep it protected from outside opinions and judgment. But another part—mostly Kaia—wanted to proudly stand by his side, letting everyone know he was mine.

---

By late afternoon, my classes were finished, and I found myself standing at the campus crossroads—literally and figuratively. Right would take me back to my dorm, left toward faculty housing where Matthew would be if he'd returned to campus.

I fingered the key in my pocket, remembering how Matthew had pressed it into my palm this morning before I left his apartment.

"You should have this," he'd said, his fingers warm against mine as he closed my hand around the key.

"I don't need it," I'd protested. "I won't go there when you're not home anyway."

His eyes had softened, that small smile I was growing to love playing at the corners of his mouth. "Maybe not, but I want you to know you can—anytime. This is your space too now."

When I'd hesitated, he'd leaned in, his forehead touching mine. "If I didn't think it would scare you off, I'd give you the key to my house back at the pack territory too."

The gesture had made me laugh and blush at the same time, but I'd accepted the key, slipping it into my pocket where it now rested, a small metal promise of belonging.

*Go to Matthew,* Kaia urged. *We just saw him this morning, but it feels like forever.*

"We can't just show up unannounced," I muttered to myself. "What if he's busy? I don't want to seem clingy."

*Clingy?* Kaia scoffed. *He's our mate. Being together is natural.*

After a moment of indecision, I turned right. "We'll see him soon enough," I told Kaia, who huffed in disappointment.

Back in my dorm room, I tried to focus on reading my medical ethics textbook—ironically assigned by Matthew himself—but found myself rereading the same paragraph multiple times. My phone chirped with a message notification.

**Matthew:** *Just finished pack business and heading to campus. Missed you today.*

Warmth bloomed in my chest as I read his words. Such a simple text, but it made my heart race. I typed back quickly.

**Julia:** *Missed you too.*

I smiled, realizing something important. Expressing longing wouldn't make Matthew think less of me. The right person would welcome my affection, not be burdened by it.

After a moment's consideration, I sent another message:

**Julia:** *I think I'll stay in my dorm tonight. You don't need to come to campus if you have things to do at the pack house.*

His response came quickly:

**Matthew:** *I'll still come. Have a few things to prepare for tomorrow's classes anyway. No pressure—if you want to see me, I'm here. If you need space, I understand that too. Your choice, always.*

I stared at his message, feeling a tightness in my chest loosen. No demands, no guilt trips, just understanding. It was so different from what I was used to.

I set my phone down, a sense of peace settling over me. This thing between Matthew and me—it wasn't just about passion or fate or wolf instincts. It was also about respect, about finding balance between what Kaia needed and what I needed.

For the first time, I believed we might actually make this work.