Eighth-Born Luna (Emily and Nathan) novel Chapter 133

Chapter 133

Emily’s POV

The door swung open, and I caught Meredyth’s quiet voice from the hallway.

“Careful,” Meredyth whispered. “I thought you two would love this breakfast.”

Nathan thanked her, taking the heavy tray before turning back toward me.

He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and the morning light poured over him, tracking every single ridge of his abs and the harp, dangerous dip of his V–line disappearing into his low–slung sweatpants.

He looked massive, his broad shoulders and hard chest practically glowing. Watching the muscles in his back and rms shift effortlessly under his tanned skin as he carried the food over was pure torture.

The tray was loaded with fresh strawberries, toast, eggs, and orange juice. My mouth watered instantly, and onestly, the food was the last thing on my mind. I wanted him.

My body was practically screaming for his touch, the raw, primal pull of our true bond snapping awake. A rogue ad forced his way into our heads, but right here, looking at my Alpha, it was obvious–Declan hadn’t broken what elonged to us.

A second later, the mattress dipped beside me. Nathan sat down, balancing the breakfast tray carefully with one and.

“Morning, little moon.”

“Meredyth brought us breakfast?”

Nathan looked offended immediately. “Actually, it was my idea to surprise you. I woke up before you did and inked her to make something, but I didn’t think she’d be this fast. I wanted to give you a little more time to sleep.

ut my mother…”

I laughed quietly. The sound still felt strange after so many weeks of fear.

Nathan picked up a strawberry and held it to my lips. “Eat.”

I leaned closer and took a bite. Sweet. Fresh. Safe.

A sharp contrast flashed through my mind instantly–those breakfasts with Declan. Every single meal had felt like battle for survival. Every glance was dangerous. Every word a game.

My stomach churned a bit at the memory.

Nathan noticed immediately.

“Hey.” His voice softened. “You’re here now.”

I nodded slowly, forcing a small smile. “You know…” I looked at the tray between us. “I could spend every norning like this forever.”

Something in Nathan’s expression shifted at that. Softer. Hungrier. Like he wanted that just as badly.

He picked up another strawberry thoughtfully. “I ate these every day while you were gone.”

My heart ached. “What?”

He gave a small shrug, his eyes lowering to the fruit in his fingers. “It was stupid, probably. But your scent always reminded me of them.”

The raw emotion in his voice cut right through me.

“It was the only thing keeping me sane sometimes,” he admitted quietly. “Memories of you. Your smell.”

Hell. I reached for his hand immediately.

Nathan stayed quiet for a long moment, the space between us growing heavy. Then finally, he spoke again.

“But now you smell different.”

The warmth in the room vanished. And Nathan still wouldn’t look at me.

“There’s something mixed into your scent now.” His expression hardened. “Mint.” Pain flickered across his face. Tell me honestly.” His voice went rough. “That’s his scent, isn’t it?”

Seeing that look on his face cut deep. I gripped his hand tighter. “No. Nathan, no.”

He finally looked at me, hope and fear both fighting in his eyes.

“It’s not Declan.”

“Then what is it?”

I hesitated for a second. “My second wolf.”

Nathan blinked slowly. “…What?”

“The phantom wolf.” I shifted closer to him on the bed. “That’s how I reached you that night.”

Understanding slowly spread across his face. “The dream…”

I nodded quickly. “I can move astrally now. I can leave my body.” A nervous laugh escaped me. “Apparently, phantom wolves smell like mint.”

Nathan stared at me for a second before suddenly leaning in.

“…I like it.”

Relief flooded through me instantly.

Nathan let out a frustrated breath. “I just couldn’t handle thinking it came from him.”

“Declan hated it,” I admitted with a small smile. “It drove him insane.”

-Nathan’s eyes sharpened instantly. “What do you mean?”

“He dragged me to the witch because of it.” I laughed softly, remembering the chaos. “She spent hours trying to igure out what changed about me.”

Nathan stared at me carefully. “You hid an entire supernatural ability from Declan while trapped in his castle?”

“I was trying very hard not to die.”

Nathan suddenly made a rough sound, somewhere between a laugh and pure emotion. “Oh, Emily…”

The way he looked at me then nearly shattered my heart.

So much tenderness.

Like he couldn’t believe I’d survived all that and still came back fighting.

Nathan leaned toward me suddenly.

I leaned too fast at the same time and the tray tipped.

Orange juice spilled directly across the white blankets.

“Oh no-”

Nathan looked down at the mess, then straight at me. “..Worth it.”

I burst out laughing.

Nathan grabbed my waist before I could move away, pulling me across the ruined sheets and right against him.

“Nathan–the bed-”

“Tragic,” he murmured, completely deadpan. “Absolutely devastating.”

I laughed harder, and then he kissed me.

Slowly. Softly.

It was nothing like Declan. There was no domination here. No power games, no hunger sharpened into violence. It

“We barely got you out alive,” he said softly. “And now you’re already planning another invasion?”

Nathan hesitated, and suddenly, I didn’t like the look in his eyes at al

“Emily…” His voice softened carefully. “Stella’s not okay.”

Fear crawled slowly through me. “How bad?”

Nathan ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve known Stella my whole life.” His expression hardened. “And I’ve never been her this broken before.”

Guilt hit me instantly. I pushed away from Nathan and started climbing out of bed. “I need to see her.”

Nathan caught my wrist immediately. “Emily-”

“We have to at least ask her.” I looked back at him desperately. “Please.”

Nathan looked exhausted already, like he knew this argument was unwinnable. “It was merciful to save her after verything she did,” he admitted quietly. “But going back for her was insanely dangerous.”

I froze. “I couldn’t leave her there.”

Nathan watched me carefully.

“She sacrificed everything helping us escape,” I whispered. “When we climbed that vine… I really thought we vere going to make it out.”

Nathan huffed softly under his breath. “Oh, I heard all about your little escape attempt.”

“Ryan told us Declan burned the entire damn vine system afterward.”

‘…Oops.”

Nathan suddenly smiled. Actually smiled. Then he stepped closer and wrapped both arms around me proudly. “You’re completely insane, you know that?”

I laughed softly.

“My reckless little warrior mountain climber.”

The warmth in his voice almost melted me. But then Ryan’s face flashed through my mind again. The girls underground. Declan. And the warmth vanished.

“Nathan,” I whispered seriously. “Please help me talk to Stella.”

Nathan sighed heavily. “Even if we get inside again…” He looked down at me carefully. “How exactly are we

supposed to beat him?”

A slow smile spread across my face. “You have me now.”

Nathan’s eyebrow lifted slightly. “And?”

I stepped closer again. “I’ve nearly passed all the trials. I already have five powers.”

Nathan stared at me, processing that, but I was already moving on.

“And besides… he can’t control me anymore,” I added, a sharp edge to my voice. “I stole the artifact he used to control my powers.”

Nathan blinked. “What?”

“The dagger,” my stomach plummeted. “The one with the red ruby.” I looked at him harder now. “When I jumped hrough the portal… I was still holding it.”

Nathan’s expression slowly changed.

…Emily.”

Cold dread spread through me instantly.

“Nathan.” My voice dropped. “Where is it?”