From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 184

POV

Matthew and I stood facing each other, separated by invisible barriers of safety and duty. His eyes never left mine, communicating volumes that words couldn’t express. I could feel the gentle pulse of his presence in my mind, steady and reassuring.

Soon, he promised silently This won’t last forever

1 know, I replied, allowing myself to imagine the feel of his arms around me. But right now, this is enough.

I looked back at the

up in the place that had once felt like a prison. For the first time in years, I sensed a change in the air, as tangib

as the dawn break

Nathar s

truth–one that might, in ti

g like redemption for us all.

the vitals of the third cr ing double shifts. What

modified antivirals, Er

lation center was beyond capacity, with makeshift beds lining the break was now threatening to overwhelm us.

exhaustion. And three more patients just arrived with temperatures over

es, fighting back Sent arrives tome

get worse

ion hun

we w

hing out.”

maining doses by ten percent. It’ll reduce effectiveness but should stabilize them unti

ore authority to make pack–wide decisions

no clear leadershi

he facility, flanked by two elders

Growded room.

oper resources an

to know.

y, we’re just putting bandages on bullet wounds.

temporary leadership while Nathan recovers.”

sts, Eric from the younger faction. He paused. But the medical team

– still sees me as the rejected mate.”

nrotocols would have prevented

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Chapter 184

this outbreak if they’d been implemented sooner.”

1

Before I could argue further, a commotion erupted outside. A young werewolf–barely twenty–was on his knees in the parking lot, sobbing uncontrollably.

“My mother can’t breathe!” he screamed. ‘She followed all your rules, and still she’s dying! Where is our leadership? Where is anyone who can actually ma decisions?

A crowd had gathered, their expressions ranging from sympathy to outright anger. I rushed outside, kneeling beside the young man.

“We’re doing everything-”

“Everything? Really

hed gold with emotion. ‘My mother can’t even get a bed! Meanwhile, the council debates politics while we suffer!”

Murmurs o

the crowd. Oliver stepped forward, his voice carrying across the parking lot.

Everyone who can safely attend

Makeshift torches illuminated with clipboards ensured pro over who should temporarily

ice cut through the noise.

to me. I felt my heart h

nterested in politics

what good is th

recent recover

I agree, E

pack me

“B

ected.

ents.”

central clearing. It’s time we address this situation properly.”

ustration, each person carefully positioned six feet apart in to anyone who arrived without one. I stood to the side, listeni watching the proceedings with uncharacteristic thoughtfulness.

e person who’s actually been fighting this battle from the beginning.”

e protocols that could save them?” It was Mrs. Tanner who spoke, her voice still raspy from disease, who’s proven they can mak

1. s.

stepped forward. “Julia’s metho

ved Nathan. They’ve saved dozens of

1. d. “Leadership isn’t about ble

as through darkness. Right now, that’s Julia.”

n’t qualified. I wasn’t

faltering

relationship with Matthew or my medical

rs of the pack and a traditionalist to his core, slowly lowered himself

ase of you. The Moon Goddess guided your hands when you treated her. Now

then Mrs. Tanner, then a dozen others, until half the clearing was kneeling. My throat

2/3

18 pm

Chapter 184

1 I swallowed hard 11 accept this role temporarily, until Nathan recovers of a formal selection can be made. But I need everyone’s help

As 1 spoks, 1 felt a strange calm settle over me Words came naturally, as if I’d been preparing this speech my entire life.

“We il lead with wience and compassion No more politics overriding medical necessity No more decisions made from fear or tradition alone. I outlined a clear structure–daily reports, transparent decision making, community involvement in resource allocation.

This isn’t about power, I concluded. ‘Ite about survival And we will survive this together

erupted, followed by howls of approval. As the crowd pressed forward to offer support, I caught a glimpse of Matthew standing at the edge of the

is eyes held pride, but something else too–uncertainty, perhaps even concern.

to go to him, to explain that this wouldn’t change us, but a dozen hands reached for mine with congratulations and questions. By the time I looked e had disappeared into the shadows,

int trace of his scent on the night breeze.

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