Eighth-Born Luna (Emily and Nathan) novel Chapter 37

mily’s POV

CRACK.

The door burst open so hard the wood groaned. The noise sliced through the music, and the party stopped

instantly.

Everything changed in the room. I didn’t turn immediately. I didn’t need to. My body already knew. He was here.

I slowly looked up and saw him. Nathan stood in the doorway, looking furious. He didn’t move or say anything. His eyes found us–no, they found me. Then he looked down at Owen’s hand on my waist and how close we were.

His expression changed, turning dark and dangerous. The air felt heavy, filled with the presence of an Alpha ready

o fight.

I instinctively stepped back, but Owen moved first. He stepped in front of me, shielding me completely with his road shoulders. It wasn’t a challenge; it was instinct.

“Easy,” Owen said quietly. His tone wasn’t light anymore. It was grounded. Ready for a fight. “It’s just a party.”

I stood behind him, frozen, my heart pounding in my throat. I knew Nathan. I knew that look. This wasn’t a party nymore. And this was no longer just a dance. This was a war.

“Get your hand off her,” Nathan roared. It wasn’t a request. It was a death threat.

The loud music suddenly felt like a dull thud in the background. No one moved. No one spoke.

Nathan stepped inside. He took one slow step forward. Then another. The crowd parted without a word, making a

ath for him.

Owen didn’t step back. I felt his body shift in front of me. He wasn’t attacking, but he wasn’t running. He was

eady.

Nathan stared at him. His eyes were cold and sharp, like ice in winter

“You’ve got spine,” Nathan said. His voice was low and too calm. It made the hair on my neck stand up.

Owen held his gaze. “She’s allowed to dance.”

That was the wrong answer.

Nathan tilted his head slightly.

“Allowed?” A faint, scary smile touched his lips. “Is that what you think this is?”

“She’s not marked,” Owen said, his voice steady. The room felt tense, like something was about to break. “She’s not claimed.”

A heavy silence filled the room. Nathan didn’t move at all, which somehow felt even scarier. He stepped closer,

AT–AL

J 1:1..

5:26 pm

“You’re a guard,” Näthan said quietly. It wasn’t a question.

Owen didn’t look away. “Yes”

Nathan’s gaze flicked once to Qwen’s hand on my waist, then back up.

“And you think that gives you the right…” His voice dropped to a whisper, “…to touch what’s mine?”

My heart was racing. Part of me hated how he acted, especially when he said ‘mine.‘ But another part of me

eacted to the way he said it.

Behind Owen, my fingers curled into the lace of my dress.

“Now she doesn’t belong to anyone,” Owen said.

That was too much. Something changed in Nathan. He didn’t shout or show it, but it was worse. He smiled, slow ind dangerous.

“I like this,” Alpha murmured. “You’ve got a spine. But let me make something clear.”

He stepped closer, almost too close. I could smell cedar and pine on him. “You don’t stand in front of me and ›retend we are equals. And you don’t have the right to touch her…”

Owen’s hand moved just a little. Nathan saw it. “Don’t.”

I stepped out from behind Owen, placing my hands between them, forcing them to look at me instead.

“I was just dancing,” I said.

Nathan’s eyes hit me instantly. “With him.”

I hesitated for a second, and he saw it.

“She chose to,” Owen said behind me.

“Did you?” Alpha asked quietly. “Did you choose this?”

I couldn’t answer. Because for a moment, I had.

“Move,” Nathan said. Not to me. To Owen.

“Stop,” I said. My voice was quiet, but everyone heard it. “This is stupid. If you want to say something, say it to

ne.”

Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “Not here.”

“Then where?”

Nathan grabbed my wrist with a firm, warm grip and pulled me through the crowd without a word.

5:26 pm

The room went quiet as everyone moved aside. I stumbled after him, my heart pounding. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pull away or stay close. He held my wrist so tightly it scared me more than anything else.

We reached the kitchen fast. He pushed the door open and finally let go.

“Fine. Let’s talk.”

“I wanted you to stop.” I motioned between us. “Stop looking at me like I’m a mistake you still need to fix.”

“You don’t understand-”

“Then explain it to me!” I cut in. My voice shook, but I didn’t back down. “Don’t act like I don’t exist unless it

uits you.”

“You think this is easy for me?” he said, his face darkening.

“I think you don’t choose. You keep me in between. Not yours, but not free.”

“That’s what this is about?” he asked. “You dancing with him?”

“I danced because I wanted to! For once, someone looked at me like I mattered!”

Nathan stepped into my space. “You think he matters?”

“I think he’s not afraid of feelings. And I don’t feel useless or weak, or any of those things you called me!”

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“No,” I whispered. “I finally get it, Nathan. I’m done wondering if my whole life is just waiting for someone who von’t choose me. I don’t want that anymore. If you won’t claim me, then go be with Stella.”

“You think that’s what I want?” he said sharply.

“Then what do you want?”

He stayed silent for a heartbeat, his jaw working as he searched for the one thing that would hit hardest. “Maybe I vant someone who doesn’t run into another man’s arms the second I turn my back.”

Silence. My chest went still. Something inside me just… shut down. Slowly, I nodded.

‘Okay.”

A knock broke the moment. The door opened a little.

“Everything okay?” The Beta asked.

Nathan didn’t even look. “Fine.” Flat. Sharp. Final.

He walked past me and didn’t look back. The door slammed, and everything inside me finally broke.

Then Jessie came in. I stood there shaking, feeling tears start to form. It was all too much–the music, the

5:26 pm

dancing, Nathan’s grip. It was just too much for one night.

think I’m done for tonight,” I said, forcing a small, broken smile. My voice was thick, caught in my throat. “I’m going to go home. Jess, I’m sorry for ruining your party.”

I bit my lip, trying to stop the tears from spilling over.

Jessie frowned, her face full of real worry. “Emily, no. You didn’t ruin anything. Stay. We can talk, or just be sad

together. Whatever you want.

I didn’t deserve a friend this kind.

“Thank you, Jessie. Really. But I need to leave. Have fun, okay? I just need some air.

It wasn’t a lie. I turned toward the door and almost ran straight into Owen.

“I can walk you home,” he said softly. He wasn’t pushing or expecting anything. He was just trying to help.

It would have been easy to say yes and let someone else take care of me. That’s exactly why I hesitated.

“No, thanks,” I said, a little too quickly.

Owen didn’t move. His gaze stayed on me, careful and reading,

“Emily,” he said, his voice dropping even softer. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

“I should go alone,” I whispered.

“Should I call someone to walk with you?” he asked, looking unsure for the first time.

Then, Blake’s voice cut through the air. “I’ll take her.”

He held out my jacket, draped over his arm.

Owen stepped back, bowing his head slightly in respect to the Beta. “Got it.”

Blake turned to me.

“Ready?” His tone softened, just a fraction, only for me.

I hesitated for a second, then nodded. “Yeah.”

When we stepped outside, the cool night air hit me and cleared my head. The party music faded away. I could still

‘eel Owen watching me as I left.

“Then text me when you get home,” Owen called out.

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