From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 173

Julia’s POV

Dawn painted the sky in hues of lavender and gold as I stuffed the last of my medical supplies into an inconspicuous black backpack. My fingers moved methodically, checking each item against my mental list: modified antibiotics, fever reducers, anti–inflammatories, all specifically formulated for werewolf metabolism. Special disposable masks with charcoal filters. Digital thermometer. Stethoscope. IV supplies.

Matthew stood in the doorway of our bedroom, arms crossed, eyes following my movements. The worry lines etched across his forehead

betrayed his carefully controlled expression.

“You’re sure about this?” he asked, voice low and gravelly from sleep.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. We’d already had this conversation three times since Eric’s call last night.

“If Nathan catches you…” Matthew left the sentence hanging, the unspoken threat more powerful than any words.

“He won’t,” I said, zipping the backpack with finality. “Eric knows all the blind spots in the territory. And Nathan’s busy with pack

meetings today.”

Matthew crossed the room in three long strides, taking my hands in his. “We established the emergency protocol?”

I squeezed his hands. “If I don’t check in via mindlink every six hours, you send Jason and the security team. If I say ‘moonflower‘ through

our link, it means I’m in immediate danger.”

“And you’ll be back in-

“Forty–eight hours, maximum,” I finished. “Dad’s condition is serious, but not critical enough to need extended care. I’ll stabilize him, set

up a treatment protocol mom can follow, and get out.”

Matthew’s jaw tightened. He pulled me against his chest, his heartbeat steady under my ear. I inhaled his scent–pine needles and rain–

trying to memorize it, to carry it with me.

“I hate this,” he murmured into my hair. “But I understand why you have to go.”

I tilted my face up to his. “He’s my father, Matthew. I can’t let him die because of Nathan’s ego and politics.”

Matthew pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Your compassion is one of the reasons I love you. Just promise me you’ll put your safety first. If things get dangerous-

7 leave immediately, I promised. “Doctor’s orders.”

19:19 Thu, Apr 23

Chapter 173

He almost smiled at that. Almost.

The abandoned gas station at the eastern edge of Star Shadow territory looked even more decrepit than I remembered. Paint peeled from

boarded windows, and weeds pushed through cracks in the concrete.

I parked behind the building as instructed, out of sight from the main road. My heart hammered against my ribs as I scanned the tree

line, looking for any sign of movement.

Five minutes passed. Ten. My palms grew slick with sweat.

“Come on, Eric,” I whispered.

A twig snapped to my left. I whirled, adrenaline surging-

Eric emerged from the trees, his expression unreadable. He wore dark clothes, his usual confident swagger replaced by cautious

movements.

“You came,” he said, and something in his voice–surprise?-made my chest ache.

“I said I would.” I shouldered my backpack. “How’s Dad?”

“Worse. Fever’s not breaking. Dr. Campbell’s treatments aren’t working.” Eric’s eyes dropped to my medical bag. “You really think you can

help?”

I straightened my spine. “I’ve been studying werewolf–specific infectious disease protocols for months. Spring Valley has developed

treatments that work. So yes, I can help.”

Eric nodded once, sharply. “Follow me. Stay exactly three steps behind. If I raise my hand, freeze. If I tap my right leg twice, hide.

Understood?”

“Yes.”

We moved through the forest in tense silence. Eric led me through dense underbrush, avoiding the main trails. Occasionally he would

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