From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Julia’s POV

“That was the best dinner I’ve ever had in my life,” I whispered to my

reflection in the mirror, still feeling the lingering warmth of last

night’s date with Matthew. Kaia hummed contentedly inside me,

agreeing wholeheartedly.

When Matthew had asked me to dinner at the end of our lunch, I’d

said yes right away. But by that afternoon, I couldn’t stop the panic rising in my chest. I paced my small room, thinking up excuses to cancel. Maybe I could tell him there was a problem with my research

data that needed immediate attention. Or that I had a headache

coming on. Anything to avoid putting myself out there again. After everything with Nathan, the idea of letting someone new into my life terrified me. Even someone who had already saved me twice.

“You should go,” Olivia had insisted when I’d called her for advice

that afternoon. “Matthew is nothing like Nathan. And honey, you

deserve a chance to feel something good for once.”

I’d spent nearly two hours getting ready, changing outfits four times and redoing my hair twice. My hands trembled as I applied mascara,

wondering if I was making a mistake. What if this was just gratitude I

was feeling? What if I was just a project to him, some broken thing he

1/5

Chapter 112

needed to fix?

But then Matthew arrived at exactly 7 PM, right on time. Not early to

pressure me, not late to make me anxious. He stood at my door

holding wildflowers instead of expensive roses, wearing dark jeans

and a deep blue button–down that brought out his eyes.

“Nothing fancy,” he’d said with that half–smile that made my heart

skip. “Just picked these from the meadow on my way over.”

The restaurant he chose was perfect–a small place at the edge of the

valley, far from the main pack areas where everyone would be

watching and whispering. The lighting was warm, the music soft, and

our table was tucked into a corner with a view of the forest. I noticed

right away that he’d specifically requested a table where I could see

the exit. A small thing, but it meant everything.

“Is this okay?” he’d asked, pulling out my chair. “If you’d rather go

somewhere else-”

“It’s perfect,” I said, meaning it.

Throughout dinner, Matthew kept finding ways to put me at ease. He

adjusted his seat so I wouldn’t feel crowded. He asked what I liked to

drink and remembered I’d once mentioned preferring pinot noir. He

asked questions about my research and actually listened to my

2/5

Chapter 112

answers.

Unlike Nathan, who always dominated conversations, Matthew

wanted to hear my thoughts. When I mentioned a medical journal I’d been reading, he asked thoughtful questions instead of changing the

subject to himself.

“I used to hide in the library as a kid,” he admitted with a self-

deprecating laugh. “James would be out playing sports, and I’d be

tucked between the shelves reading about ancient civilizations. My

dad worried I’d never make a proper Alpha.”

It was strange and wonderful to see this side of him–not the

powerful Alpha who had thrown Nathan across a room, but a man

who’d once been a bookish kid who didn’t quite fit the mold.

When he talked about Spring Valley’s history, his eyes lit up with

genuine passion, but he never lectured or tried to impress me with

his knowledge.

After dinner, we walked along a nearby trail. “Would you like to take a

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify