From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176

Julia’s POV

The air in the basement suddenly felt heavy, pressing down on my shoulders and lungs. I recognized the sensation–Alpha pressure, a dominance tactic meant to make lesser wolves submit. My knees weakened slightly, but I refused to bow my head.

“Nathan,” I managed, keeping my voice steady. “I was just leaving.”

He stepped closer, radiating authority with every movement. His designer clothes couldn’t mask the predator beneath–the wolf that had once rejected me as

his mate.

“Trespassing on pack territory without permission is a serious offense,” he said. “Even for the daughter of my Beta.”

I straightened my spine. “I didn’t realize I needed formal permission to visit my family home.”

‘Don’t play games, Julia.” He circled me slowly, like a shark scenting blood. “You haven’t set foot in Star Shadow territory for over a year. Now suddenly you’re here, sneaking around in the basement?” He inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring. “And you smell like… medication. Antibiotics. Fever reducers.”

His gaze dropped to my bag, where the edge of a syringe poked out. I pushed it deeper, but it was too late.

‘You’ve been treating someone,‘ he said. It wasn’t a question.

My mind raced. Lying would only make things worse–his enhanced senses would detect it immediately.

“My father was sick,” I admitted. “I brought medicine.”

From Spring Valley?” His tone sharpened. “Taking resources from one pack to another without Alpha permission? That’s theft, Julia.”

“It’s not theft if it’s my own supply, I countered. “And this is a family matter.”

Nathan’s eyes flashed with something dangerous. “Nothing in this pack is just a ‘family matter.‘ Every wolf, every issue, falls under my jurisdiction.” He took another step closer. “Or have you forgotten how things work here in the year you’ve been gone?”

I flinched as he circled behind me,

his breath warm against my neck as he leaned in to whisper.

“It’s interesting you still call this place ‘home,” he murmured. “When you’ve been playing house with Matthew Collins in Spring Valley.”

My blood ran cold.

“You seem surprised, Nathan continued, moving back to face me. “Did you think I wouldn’t keep tabs on my former mate?” His eyes dropped deliberately to my neck. I notice Collins hasn’t marked you. Interesting choice for an Alpha–keeping his options open, perhaps?”

The casual cruelty in his tone made my wolf Kaia snarl inside me, but I forced her down. Antagonizing Nathan would only make this worse.

Instead, I lowered my eyes slightly–not a full submission, but enough to appear hon–threatening. I let my shoulders slump, presenting the image of vulnerability I knew he wanted to see.

‘Star Shadow will always be my home,” I said softly. “Even if I’m not welcome here anymore.

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Chapter 176

Nathan’s eyebrow arched skeptically.

M

‘Spring Valley has been… kind,” I continued, choosing my words carefully. “They value my medical training. But it’s not… it doesn’t feel like belonging.

I glanced up, making sure to look uncertain, even as I calculated every word. “I heard about the outbreak. Werewolf influenza spreading through the

northern packs.”

Nathan’s posture shifted almost imperceptibly, but not with interest–with dismissal.

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