From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Julia’s POV

I stared at my computer screen, the numbers and charts blurring

together as my stomach growled. Lunchtime. The thought of heading

to the community center’s coffee shop made my chest tighten. After

everything that happened with Nathan, would people stare? Whisper?

The memory of his attack was still fresh, barely twenty–four hours

old.

Maybe I should just skip lunch. Or grab something quick and eat it in

the research center. Anything to avoid becoming the center of

attention.

Kaia nudged at my consciousness, reminding me that hiding wouldn’t

solve anything. I couldn’t stay in the shadows forever.

With a deep breath, I saved my work and stood up. “I can do this,” I

whispered to myself. “I have nothing to be ashamed of.”

The community center’s coffee shop was buzzing with activity when I

arrived. I felt eyes turn toward me as I entered, but to my surprise,

there were no hushed conversations or pointing fingers. Just a few

curious glances before people returned to their meals.

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Chapter 111

I chose a corner table, planning to eat quickly and leave. As I settled with my tray, I noticed Sarah and Ryan at a nearby table. They smiled

and nodded at me–friendly, normal gestures that made some of the

tension ease from my shoulders.

I had just taken my first bite when a shadow fell across my table.

Looking up, I found Matthew standing there, tray in hand, as casual

as if we met for lunch every day.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, already pulling out the chair across

from mine.

“Of course not,” I said, my voice coming out higher than intended.

Several heads turned our way, and I felt my face heat up. Matthew,

however, seemed completely at ease as he settled into his chair.

“How’s the research going this morning?” he asked, cutting into his

steak as if we were discussing the weather rather than sitting

together the day after he’d saved me from Nathan.

“I–it’s fine,” I stammered, acutely aware of the eyes on us. “Just

analyzing some data.”

Matthew looked up, his eyes steady. “You don’t need to be nervous,

Julia. Just be yourself. No one here is judging you.”

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His voice was soft but firm, and something in his gaze seemed to reach past my defenses. His wolf, Hati, seemed to be watching me through those eyes, projecting calm energy that soothed my frayed

nerves.

I took a deep breath and felt my shoulders relax. “Sorry, I’m just not

used to… this.” I gestured vaguely, not sure how to describe what

“this” even was.

“Tell me about that interesting case you mentioned yesterday,”

Matthew prompted, clearly trying to steer us toward normal

conversation.

As I described a patient with unusual antibody levels, I found myself

relaxing. Matthew listened intently, asking thoughtful questions

about my medical perspective. For a moment, I forgot about the other

people in the coffee shop.

James approached our table with another security team member.

They discussed border patrols with Matthew, but what surprised me

was how they included me in the conversation, asking about the new

medical equipment I’d suggested for the clinic.

“By the way,” James said before leaving, “Olivia wanted me to thank

you again for your help during the birth. Ethan’s doing great.”

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Chapter 111

The warmth in his voice made me smile genuinely for the first time

that day.

As they walked away, I found myself comparing this to how Daniel

had treated me. Daniel had always been obvious about his interest,

publicly complimenting me and making sure everyone knew he liked

1. me. His attention had made me feel special, noticed. It was direct and

unmistakable, like he was claiming me in front of everyone.

Matthew was different. He didn’t make grand gestures or obvious

declarations. Instead, he simply included me in his world, treating me

as if I already belonged there.

I looked around the coffee shop and realized something else was

different too. The pack members weren’t treating me like an outsider

or a curiosity. There were no suspicious glances or evaluating stares

like I’d grown accustomed to at Star Shadow. Here, sitting with

Matthew, I was being treated as if I were already part of the

community.

The feeling was strange and new–this sense of belonging without

having to earn it or prove myself worthy of it.

Back home, even as the Beta’s daughter, I’d never truly felt integrated

into pack life. Nathan’s rejection had only widened that gap, making

me forever “the rejected mate.” But here, with Matthew, I was just…

Julia.

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The realization brought a wave of doubt. Was I simply attaching

myself to Matthew out of gratitude? Was I clinging to his protection because Nathan had terrified me so completely? And what right did I

have to any place in Matthew’s life, when he had already suffered the

loss of his true mate?

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