From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 206

Julia’s POV

I squinted at the infection rate charts blurring before me, forcing myself to focus on the numbers until they made sense again. Three weeks of p emergency coordination, and data analysis had paid off–the epidemic across northwestern packs was officially contained. Everyone else had gon hours ago.

Good. Work was good. Work kept my thoughts anchored, prevented them from drifting across miles of forest to Spring Valley. To him

My wolf, Kaia, stirred restlessly in my consciousness, a low whine echoing through my mind. She missed Matthew’s wolf, Hati, with an intensity t sometimes made it hard to breathe. I pushed her emotions down, focusing instead on the screen before me.

Just a few more reports, I told myself. Then sleep.

Sleep. Another battlefield. Another place where memories of Matthew ambushed me with ruthless precision.

I stretched my neck, feeling vertebrae pop with satisfying relief. The medical center was silent save for the soft hum of computers. I’d volunteered late shifts, claiming dedication. Nobody questioned it. They’d grown accustomed to my extended hours since Matthew had returned to Spring Valley

When my assistant finally left, murmuring a concerned goodnight, I allowed my shoulders to slump slightly.

A knock startled me, and I quickly straightened, arranging my features into professional neutrality.

“Come in,” I called, expecting a night nurse with questions.

My brother Eric stepped through the door instead. As our pack’s new Alpha, he carried himself differently now–shoulders squared, movements deliber but his expression was gentler than I was used to seeing. The mantle of leadership had matured him in unexpected ways.

‘Still working?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe.

I gestured at my screen. “Just finishing the epidemic response reports.”

Eric studied me with unusual intensity, then closed the door behind him. “There’s something we need to discuss

My stomach tightened. “What is it?”

“The Alliance is organizing a cross pack meeting next week to share epidemic response protocols. He paused watching the arctus sending representatives.

My heart stuttered painfully Matthew Just the possibility sent warmth and dead coursing through nie simultaneous

hoping Eric wouldn’t notice my suddenly frembling hands

these

“That’s good, I said evenly Sharing protocols will improve future responses

Eric’s eyes narrowed slightly. Through our sibling mind bak something we’d rarely used I felt hun genths probing di cotional te

Your heart rate just doubled, little sister, his voice whispered in my mind

I immediately reinforced my mental barriers, but not before Kal yearning leaked through a flash of longing so intens it made free fumch

Chapter 206

Alpha Collins might attend personally, he said aloud, his tone deliberately casual.

I dropped the file I was holding, papers scattering across my desk. Damn it.

“As medical director, Eric continued, taking the seat across from me, ‘you should represent our packs response strategy.

I gathered the fallen documents, using those precious seconds to compose myself. You could handle it. You worked closely with me throughout t

“But it was your containment strategy that saved lives, Eric countered, surprising me with his praise. Your isolation protocol innovations are whi wants to hear about.”

He leaned forward, expression softening further. “Julia, if you don’t want to go because of Matthew, I understand. No one would question if I go th instead.

The

understanding in his voice–so different from the dismissive brother I’d grown up with–broke through my carefully constructed walls.

organize papers and met his gaze.

hat I want, I admitted quietly. “Part of me thinks seeing him, speaking face–to–face… maybe it would give me closure. End this…” I chest, where the ache had become a constant companion.

“If you want to go, I’ll notify the organizers immediately.”

and walked to the window, staring out at the forest bathed in silvery moonlight. Kaia whimpered in my mind, longing to run through those tr Spring Valley, to feel that connection with Hati again. My throat tightened with emotions I refused to name.

Maybe it would help,” I whispered, half to myself. “Or maybe it would just reopen wounds that are barely starting to heal.”

The silence stretched between us as I wrestled with my thoughts. Pride told me to stay away, to not give Matthew the satisfaction of seeing how his departure had affected me. But something deeper–something that felt like Kaia’s influence–pulled me toward the possibility of seeing him again

After a long moment, I turned back to Eric and shook my head. “No. I won’t go.”

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