From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Matthew’s POV

Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting golden stripes

across the room as I opened my eyes. For a moment, I was disoriented

by the hardness beneath me and the unfamiliar angle of light. Then

yesterday’s events rushed back–Nathan’s attack on Julia, her tearful

breakdown, my promise to stay.

I had slept on the floor of Julia’s room, and strangely, it had been the

most peaceful night’s sleep I’d had in years. No nightmares. No

restless turning. Just…rest.

Good morning, sunshine, Hati’s voice rumbled through my mind,

tinged with amusement. Someone slept well.

I ignored my wolf’s teasing tone and stretched carefully, expecting stiffness from a night on hardwood. Surprisingly, my body felt limber

and energized despite the uncomfortable surface. Back in my own bed

-my expensive, custom memory foam mattress–I would have tossed

and turned all night.

My hand felt oddly empty, and I remembered how Julia and I had fallen asleep–fingers intertwined, her hand hanging off the bed, mine reaching up from the floor. That small connection had somehow

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Chapter 107

anchored us both through the night.

I glanced toward the bed, instantly alert when I realized Julia wasn’t

there. The sheets were rumpled, the impression of her body still

visible in the mattress. Her scent lingered strongly on the bedding.

My heart rate spiked, instinct sending me into high alert. Had Nathan

somehow broken free? Did he have accomplices we hadn’t caught?

Calm down, Hati chided. Listen.

I stilled my breathing and focused my enhanced hearing. The sound

of running water came from behind the closed bathroom door. The

shower. Julia was just taking a shower.

The tension drained from my shoulders, replaced immediately by a

different kind of awareness as my body responded to the thought of

Julia naked under streaming water just a few yards away.

That’s perfectly natural, Hati commented smugly. She’s attractive, and

you’re responding to a potential mate.

She’s not my mate, I shot back mentally. This is just…biology.

Keep telling yourself that.

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I sat up quickly, trying to redirect my thoughts. This wasn’t

appropriate. Julia had been traumatized last night, nearly forced into

a bond she didn’t want. The last thing she needed was another wolf

thinking about her that way.

Still, the realization hit me hard–this was the first time since Rachel

died that I’d had this kind of response to another woman. A flash of

guilt surged through me, as if I were being unfaithful to Rachel’s

memory.

She would want you to live again, Hati said gently. Rachel loved life too

much to expect you to stop living yours.

I knew he was right. Rachel had been full of joy, of light. In our last

conversation before that terrible night, she’d been planning our

future, talking about children and growing old together. She wouldn’t

have wanted me to spend years alone, drowning in grief.

The bathroom water shut off. I needed to leave before Julia emerged.

Whatever confusing feelings were stirring inside me, now wasn’t the

time to explore them. Julia needed space and safety, not

complications.

I quickly located my shirt on the chair where Julia had placed it after

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