From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 171

Julia’s POV

1 peeled off my gloves with practiced precision, dropping them into the biohazard bin while maintaining eye contact with the young werewolf sitting on the exam table. His nervous energy permeated the room, but his test had come back negative.

“You’re clear for now, David,” I said, my voice carrying the confident authority I’d developed over the past years. “But since you’ve been traveling through southern territories, we’ll need you to isolate for 12 hours as a precaution.”

“But I feel fine,” he protested, rolling down his sleeve. “And I have patrol tonight.”

I reached for the tablet, tapping through the protocol checklist I’d helped develop. ‘Your metabolism might be masking symptoms. Remember, this virus works differently with our kind–our accelerated healing can actually help it replicate faster before our bodies recognize the threat.”

Dr. Wilson, hovering nearby, gave me an approving nod. ‘Listen to Nurse White, David. She’s designed our entire rapid response protocol.

Pride swelled in my chest. Now I was trusted, respected for my expertise. I handed David a packet containing a specially formulated herbal mask and sanitizing wipes.

“Wear this if you develop any symptoms. It’s designed to accommodate our enhanced senses while providing protection.”

After David left, Margaret approached with a coffee in each hand. “That’s the fourth negative today. Your screening process is working.”

I accepted the coffee gratefully. “Let’s hope it stays that way.”

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Eric. Anxiety immediately tightened my chest.

“I need to take this, I murmured to Margaret, stepping into the empty break room.

“Eric? Is everything okay? I pressed the phone to my ear.

“No, my brother’s voice came through low, almost a whisper. ‘Nathan rejected the mask proposal completely. Called it panic of the weak. He’s even increased social gatherings to demonstrate pack strength.”

My fingers tightened around the phone until my knuckles whitened. That’s insane. The virus doesn’t care about pack hierarchy

“I know. Eric’s frustration was palpable even through the phone. He laughed when I mentioned the data you sent. Called it scientific lica from a park that lost its backbone.”

Heat rose to my face. Our metabolism makes us more vulnerable, not less. The accelerated healing response creates a cytokine storm that

Jules, Eric cut me off, I know the science. Nathen doesn’t want to hear it. Any suggestion of precaution is being thated as a challenge to his Alpha authority.”

I paced the small room, my wolf Kaia growling inside me. What about Mom and Dad?

“They’re using the masks you sent, but only at home. In public… His voice trailed off

The helplessness hit me like a physical blow. My family, my former pack all at risk because one Alpha male couldn separate health uncere run

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Chapter 171

challenges to his ego.

“I’ll call you back, I said abruptly as Margaret burst through the door, face pale, clutching a folder.

“Emergency report,‘ she said, holding out papers with trembling hands. “Mountain Creek pack to the north. Two elder werewolves dead from complications.

Three more critical.”

My stomach dropped as I scanned the clinical data. The virus had triggered an accelerated inflammatory response in their werewolf metabolisms, exactly as

I’d feared.

“Their Alpha implemented measures too late, Margaret continued. “The elders were exposed at a pack gathering.”

Images of Star Shadow’s vulnerable members flashed through my mind–Mr. Hanson with his chronic lung issues, the Thompson twins with their compromised immune systems. At least thirty high–risk pack members who would be expected to attend Nathan’s gatherings.

I need to find Matthew,” I said, my medical training overwhelming personal grudges. Lives were at stake now.

I reached for our mate bond, letting my consciousness stretch toward him. Matthew?

His presence warmed my mind immediately. By the lake. Everything okay?

Ten minutes later, I found him standing at the water’s edge, his tall frame silhouetted against the afternoon sun. He turned as I approached, concern etching

his features.

“Mountain Creek has fatalities, I said without preamble, my voice shaking slightly. “And Nathan is refusing all preventative measures at Star Shadow. He’s

actively increasing gatherings.”

Matthew’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent, allowing me to continue.

“My family–my former pack–they’re all at risk because he sees masks as weakness. My voice cracked. There are elders, children with conditions…”

Matthew’s arms enveloped me, his steady heartbeat calming my racing one. Interfering with another Alpha’s territory is complicated, Jules. You know that

I know,” I whispered against his chest. “But this isn’t about politics. It’s about saving lives.”

He pulled back slightly, his eyes studying mine. What do you suggest?

The fact that he asked–that he valued my opinion instead of dismissing it like Nathan would have still surprised me sometimes,

Anonymous donation,‘ I said. “Medical supplies delivered through a third party. Education materials that don’t challenge his authority but provide the

facts.

Matthew nodded slowly. It could work James has business connections that wouldn’t raise suspicion

My mind was already racing with possibilities. I can modify the mask design to be less visible. Maybe incorporate them into traditional pack ceremonial

scarves.”

He smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind my car. This is why you’re perfect for our medical team. You understand both the science and the culture.”

Two hours later, I stood before the entire medical team in the emergency meeting room. The projection behind me showed the mortality data from Mountain Creek alongside my proposed dual–defense system.

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