From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Julia’s POV

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I was floating somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, the memory of Daniel lips against mine replaying in my mind. The gentleness of his touch, the care in his eyes when he’d asked if hugging me was okay–it was nothing like I’d imagined my first real kiss would be. It was better.

“Julia! Julia, wake up!” Amber’s excited voice cut through my daydream as she shook my shoulder with enough force to rattle my teeth.

I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head. “Five more minutes.”

“You don’t have five minutes,” Amber insisted, yanking the blanket away. “There’s a guy downstairs with flowers. For you!”

That got my attention. I sat up so quickly I nearly knocked heads with Amber, who was hovering over me with a mischievous grin.

“What?” I blinked rapidly, certain I’d misheard.

“Daniel Wright, Amber said, drawing out his name dramatically. “He’s standing outside our building with the biggest bunch of wildflowers I’ve ever seen.

Purple and white ones.”

“Moon flowers and silver thistle,” Kaia whispered in my mind, suddenly alert. “Traditional courtship flowers in wolf culture.”

I scrambled out of bed and rushed to the window. Sure enough, there was Daniel, dressed in a light blue button–down shirt and crisp white sneakers, holding a beautiful bouquet of purple and white wildflowers. As if sensing my gaze, he looked up toward our window. When our eyes met, his face broke into a wide

smile that made my heart skip. He lifted his hand in a small wave.

“He’s here,” Kaia said, her voice filled with excitement. And he brought moon flowers and silver thistle. That’s a traditional courtship gift!”

I couldn’t answer. I was too busy panicking.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, stepping back from the window. “What do I do?”

“Get dressed, obviously!” Amber laughed, already pulling open my closet doors.

I grabbed the nearest t–shirt and a pair of jeans, my mind racing. “I’ll just throw these on and brush my teeth real quick-

“Absolutely not, Amber declared, blocking my path to the bathroom. “This is a big deal! You need to look your best.”

“But he’s waiting, I protested.

Amber pulled out her phone. “I’ll text him and tell him you need fifteen minutes. No guy expects a girl to come running down immediately anyway.”

While Amber texted, I stared helplessly at my closet. What was I supposed to we? This wasn’t just meeting Daniel for study group or watching a documentary. This felt… official.

Amber returned to the closet and pulled out a light purple sundress I’d never worn. “What about this?”

Where did that come from?” I asked, not recognizing it.

“It was hanging in the back with the tags still on, Amber said. “It’s perfect.”

I remembered then. My mother had given it to me as a graduation present, insist that ‘college girls need pretty dresses.” I’d stuffed it in the back of my

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Chapter 22

closet, never intending to wear it.

“I don’t know…”

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Trust me, Amber said, pushing the dress into my hands. “Now go shower–quick||

Fifteen minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing myself. The dress fit perfectly, highlighting curves I usually hid under baggy sweaters and jeans. Amber had applied minimal makeup–just enough to brighten my eyes and give my lips a subtle shine. My hair, usually pulled back in a practical ponytail, fell in soft waves around my shoulders.

“Is this too much?” I asked, fidgeting with the hem of the dress. “It looks like I’m trying too hard.”

“You look beautiful, Amber assured me. “And there’s nothing wrong with trying.”

I bit my lip, suddenly seized by doubt. “What if this is a mistake? Nathan would be furious if he found out. He could make Daniel’s life hell.”

Nathan rejected you,” Kaia reminded me firmly. “He has no claim on who you see a don’t see. And Daniel isn’t the type to be intimidated by threats.”