From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Matthew’s POV

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The forest road leading back to Spring Valley pack through stands of ancient pine and fir, their silhouettes dark against the night sky. I drove with the window cracked open, allowing the crisp mountain air to flow through the cabin of my truck. For once, the weight that had

been my constant companion since Rachel’s death felt slightly lighter.

1 tapped my fingers against the steering wheel, replaying moments from the scholarship award ceremony. Julia’s confident voice as she described her research on integrating traditional herbal remedies with modern nursing practices had captivated not just the audience, but me as well. Her approach was innovative-respecting ancient knowledge while embracing scientific validation. The perfect balance between tradition and progress.

“She actually understood what most medical professionals miss,” I murmured to myself. “That the old ways have value, even in our

modern world.”

My truck’s headlights cut through the darkness as I turned onto the final stretch of road leading to the Spring Valley community center. Unlike most nights when returning home filled me with dread and emptiness, tonight my mind was occupied with thoughts of academic

discussions rather than crushing grief.

The community center’s exterior lights cast a warm glow across the parking lot. A few security team members nodded respectfully as I pulled into my designated space. I acknowledged them with a brief nod, noting the quietness of the night-a good sign that all was well

within pack territory.

Inside, the main hall was mostly empty, with just a couple of staff members finishing their shifts. I made my way to my office, driven by habit to check the day’s security reports before turning in. I flipped through the folder left on my desk, finding nothing significant—a minor boundary dispute with hikers, routine patrol logs, and maintenance requests for the eastern perimeter fence.

“Couldn’t resist checking in, could you?”

I looked up to find James leaning against the doorframe, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand despite the late hour.

“Force of habit,” I replied with a shrug. “Anything I should know about?”

“Nothing that can’t wait until morning.” James stepped into my office, placing the coffee on my desk before dropping into one of the visitor chairs. His eyes held a curious gleam that immediately put me on alert. “So, how was your rare venture into social events? The

scholarship ceremony live up to expectations?”

I kept my expression neutral, focusing on the security report. “It was fine. Standard academic affair.”

“Mmm, James hummed noncommittally. “Olivia said she had a good conversation with the scholarship winner-Julia White, right? She’s impressed with her.”

I nodded, pretending to be absorbed in the reports while acutely aware of James studying my reactions. “She gave a solid presentation on

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Chapter 33

her research,” I admitted.

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James leaned forward slightly. “Olivia thinks her ideas about integrating traditional remedies could benefit our community health

programs. She’s considering reaching out about potential opportunities here.”

That captured my full attention. I looked up, meeting James’s gaze directly. “She’s still in school.”

“Clinical rotations eventually require placement,” James pointed out. “And after graduation, she’ll need employment. Better to establish a

relationship early if we’re interested in her skills.”

Something in James’s tone made me wary. My Beta wasn’t just talking about professional recruitment.

“She seemed quite close with that young man-Daniel, was it?” James continued, his tone deliberately casual. “They make a nice couple.”

I set down the report. “If you have something to say, James, just say it.”

James smiled, the expression knowing. “I couldn’t help but notice you paid particular attention to her during dinner. More than

professional interest, perhaps?”

“She’s in a relationship,” I said flatly, my tone carrying a warning.

“No marking yet, from what I could see,” James observed with a slight shrug. “That means nothing’s official in our world.”

My jaw tightened. “I’m not going to interfere with someone else’s relationship, James. That’s not who I am.”

“I understand,” James replied, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. “Just making an observation. As your friend, not your Beta.

After James left, I sat alone in my office, staring at the coffee that had already grown cold. His words echoed in my mind, forcing me to

confront feelings I’d been trying to ignore.

Strangely, the knowledge that Julia was in a relationship brought a sense of relief rather than disappointment. She was unavailable— which meant I could appreciate our intellectual connection without pressure or expectations. Without the possibility of anything more, I

could interact with her professionally, free from the guilt that had shadowed me since Rachel’s death.

“That’s why it was so easy to talk with her about the herbs,” I realized. Our conversation at dinner had flowed naturally, without the awkwardness or aggressiveness that characterized most of my interactions these days. I had been genuinely interested in her research, asking questions without second-guessing every word. For those brief moments, I’d felt like myself again-the Matthew from before, not

the hollow shell I’d become.

“You actually behaved like a normal person for once,” Hati commented dryly in my mind. “It was refreshing.”

“It was just professional discussion,” I countered. “Nothing more.”

“Whatever you want to call it,” my wolf replied. “But you enjoyed it. There’s nothing wrong with that, you know. Feeling something other than

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Chapter 33

misery isn’t a betrayal.”

I fell silent, unable to argue the point. Because Hati was right-I had enjoyed the conversation, the intellectual engagement, the brief reprieve from the constant pain. And for the first time in two years, that enjoyment wasn’t immediately followed by crushing guilt.

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My eyes drifted to the framed photograph on my desk-Rachel smiling in the sunshine, her golden hair catching the light. I reached out,

gently touching the frame.

“I felt better today,” I whispered to her image. “Just for a little while. I hope that’s okay.”

The photograph offered no response, but as I turned off the office light and headed to my quarters, the weight in my chest felt

incrementally lighter than before.

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