From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 192

Chapter 192

Matthew’s POV

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I pressed my hand against the bleeding wound on my side, feeling warm blood seep between my fingers. The stabbing pain radiated through my torso with each breath, but I kept my focus on Emma lying in the bed before me. Nathan had been dragged away by Eric, his threats still echoing in the small hospital room, but Emma’s condition remained my priority.

Ignoring the protest from my injured body, I stepped closer to check her vital signs. “Emma,” I said softly, reaching for her wrist to check her pulse.

To my surprise, her eyelids fluttered open. The sickly pallor that had dominated her features earlier seemed to be fading, replaced by a healthier color. Her breathing, previously shallow and labored, now appeared more regular.

“Dr. Collins,” she whispered, her voice stronger than expected. “You’re hurt.”

“Don’t worry about me,” I replied, pressing harder against my wound. “Your condition has improved dramatically in the last few minutes.

How do you feel?”

Emma’s eyes seemed clearer, more focused as she gazed up at me. “Warmer. Not as… disconnected. It’s Astrid—she’s helping me heal.*

“Astrid?” I asked, recognizing the name of her wolf spirit.

“My wolf,” Emma confirmed with a slight nod. “She’s awake again. But I didn’t call her back–she came on her own.”

I felt Hati stir within me, suddenly alert. This is unusual, he growled in my mind. Wolf spirits don’t typically act independently like this.

“When did this change begin?” I asked, noting her improved color and stronger pulse.

“When Nathan admitted what he did,” Emma said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “When he confessed to killing Robert. It was like… like Astrid had been waiting for the truth to come out.”

I nodded grimly, remembering Nathan’s unintended confession moments ago. “Your husband.”

“My mate,” Emma corrected, tears forming in her eyes. “Nathan poisoned him because Robert wouldn’t step down as Alpha. I… I was the one who handed Robert that cup of tea.” Her voice broke as tears spilled down her cheeks. “Nathan had asked me to prepare Robert’s special blend that day. I never suspected… I gave my own mate the poison that killed him.”

A chill ran down my spine despite the burning in my side. “Emma, you can’t blame yourself for this.”

*I should have known,” she whispered, her hands trembling against the blanket. “The way Nathan was so specific about which herbs to use, how he insisted I be the one to bring it to Robert… I was a tool in my own mate’s murder.”

11:39 Fri, May 1

Chapter 192

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“Listen to me, I said firmly, despite the pain radiating from my wound. “Nathan manipulated you. He used your care for Robert against both of you. That guilt isn’t yours to carry.”

Emma’s eyes met mine, filled with anguish. “Astrid says I need to let go of this burden. She says I need to contact Julia and the Beta immediately–tell them everything about what Nathan did. They need to hear the truth from someone who was there, who can testify to his crime. My silence has protected him for too long.”

The implications of her words settled heavily on my shoulders. This wasn’t just about Nathan’s attempt to force Julia back or his attack. Her testimony could be crucial evidence of his premeditated murder something that would forever disqualify him from claiming Alpha status in any pack.

As I straightened to respond, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me. The room tilted sharply, and I staggered, catching myself against the edge of Emma’s bed.

Matthew! Hati’s voice was urgent in my mind. The wound is worse than you’re admitting. You’ve lost too much blood.

I looked down at my side. The bloodstain had spread across my shirt, much larger than I’d realized. The letter opener Nathan had stabbed me with must have gone deeper than I thought.

“Dr. Collins!” Emma’s alarmed voice seemed to come from far away.

I tried to stand upright, to reassure her, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision as pain shot

through my body.

You need help now, Hati insisted. You can’t protect anyone if you bleed out.

The door burst open, and Dr. Moore rushed in. His expression shifted from professional concern to alarm when he saw me swaying on my

feet.

“Matthew!” He was at my side in an instant, supporting my weight. “You need medical attention immediately. Why didn’t you say

something?”

“Emma needed…” I began, but Dr. Moore cut me off.

“Emma is stabilizing. You’re not,” he said firmly, guiding me to a chair. “Let me see that wound.”

I reluctantly moved my hand, revealing the bloody gash. Dr. Moore’s face grew serious as he examined it.

“This needs stitches right away, and you’ve lost a significant amount of blood,” he said, already reaching for supplies. “I’m treating this

now, no arguments.”

I wanted to protest, to ask more about what Emma had said, but Hati’s presence pressed against my consciousness, urging me to yield.

Listen to him. We’ll get answers later. We’re no use to the pack or to Julia like this.

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11:39 Fri, May 1

Chapter 192

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As Dr. Moore prepared to clean the wound, the door flew open again. Julia stood there, her face pale with fear, her chest heaving as if she’d run the entire way.

“Matthew, what happened?” she gasped, rushing to my side. Her eyes widened at the sight of blood. “Oh god, how bad is it?”

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