From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

I thought about how Daniel had stood his ground against Nathan last night, defending me when no one else ever had. He d understood the depth of Nathan’s cruelty without me having to explain. He’d seen the truth when everyon else in my life had accepted Nathan’s lies.

“You’re right.” I whispered to Kaia.

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As we headed toward the stairs, Ambet gave me a quick hug. “Go get him, girl. You deserve something good in your life.”

Each step down the dormitory stairs felt momentous, my heart beating faster with every floor I descended.

When I finally reached the lobby, I saw Daniel waiting by the entrance, still holding the bouquet. The moment he spotted me, his eyes widened, and something like awe passed across his face. The raw appreciation in his gaze made me feel beautiful in a way no mirror ever could.

tulia,” he said, his voice soft as he stepped toward me. “You look incredible.”

Thanks, I managed, suddenly shy. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

Daniel smiled, then held out the bouquet with a slight hesitation. “These are moch flowers and silver thistle. I hope I got that right.”

They re perfect,” I said, taking the flowers and inhaling their subtle, herbal fragrance.

His smile was hopeful, a little uncertain. “I thought maybe we could talk somewhere quiet? There’s a little garden near the old oak tree.”

The garden was deserted this early on a Saturday morning. The ancient oak tree or its center was rumored to be the oldest tree on campus, its sprawling branches creating a canopy of dappled shade. Daniel led me to a bench beneath the tree, his hand barely brushing against mine as we walked.

I want to apologize,” he said as we sat down, the bouquet resting in my lap. “Las night wasn’t how I wanted to tell you how I feel about you. You deserve

better than a confession that comes after all… that.”

flooked down at the flowers, running my finger over the silver–edged petals of the thistles, “You don’t need to apologize for anything.”

“I do, actually,” Daniel insisted gently. “Because I’ve been wanting to ask you something for weeks now, and I should have planned it better.”

When I glanced up his expression was serious but warm.

the ward meeting my eyes, I know you’ve been through a lot, and I know haven’t known each other that long, but I’ve never felt this way about

anyone burlone He took a deep breath. Would you be my girlfriend?”

The simplicity of the question made tears spring to my eyes.

“I promise to respect your boundaries, he continued quickly, masreading my emon as hesitation “And to support your scholarship exam, and all of your

goals and dreams. I just want to be part of your life, if you ll let me

He means it, Law whispered in my mind. There’s no deception in his scent. This our choice, not fates.

That was it, I realized. This was the Moon Goddess’s dectes. This wasnt some smic bond that neither of us could fight This was Daniel, choosing me And me, choosing hom

Yes, I said, my voice slightly shaky Id like that But I still learning how to myself in a relationship

Daniels smile lit up his entire face. He reached for my hand, gently intertwining fingers Well figure it out together. No rush

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Chapter 23

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He pulled me into a gentle embrace, his arms strong and reassuring around me. When he leaned down to kiss me, it was sweeter and more certain than last night’s kiss–a promise rather than a question.

When we finally pulled apart, I felt truly happy for the first time in years. There was no knot of dread in my stomach, no voice in my head telling me I wasn’t good enough. There was just this moment, this feeling of possibility.

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Sarah–Jane Wilson

Matthew had defended her before

5 days ago

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