From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Julia’s POV

The drive home was a blur. My mind remained trapped in that sterile hospital corridor where Daniel lay fighting for his life, tubes and

wires connecting him to machines that breathed for him.

Claire’s accusations echoed in my head on an endless loop-her words cutting deeper because I couldn’t disagree with her. This was my

fault.

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I pulled into our driveway on autopilot, barely registering the familiar surroundings. The house lights were on, but something felt wrong.

The air inside was thick with tension, carrying the metallic scent of blood that made my stomach clench. Following the mixture of scents

-my father, my brother, and that unmistakable copper tang-I found myself outside Dad’s study.

Their hushed voices stopped abruptly as I approached. I pushed the door open without knocking and froze at the threshold.

Eric sat slumped in one of the leather chairs, his clothes and hands covered in dried blood-Daniel’s blood, I realized with a sickening jolt.

My father stood by the window, his back to me, his silhouette rigid with barely contained fury, fists clenched at his sides.

“What happened?” I demanded, my voice stronger than I expected. “Is that Daniel’s blood? Tell me what’s going on.”

Dad and Eric exchanged a look that made my stomach drop further. They were hiding something, debating whether to tell me.

Tell me everything, I pushed through our family mindlink, unable to wait for them to decide. Now.

Kaia, my wolf, sensed their hesitation and sent a threatening growl rumbling through my chest. The sound surprised even me-I rarely let

her take such control in human form.

Eric looked down at his blood-stained hands, then back at me. His face was haggard, eyes hollow with exhaustion and something else-

guilt.

“It was Nathan,” he said finally, his voice rough. “Nathan attacked Daniel.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stepped backward, my shoulders hitting the doorframe, “What? Why? Just because we’re

together?”

Eric’s jaw tightened. “His excuse was that Daniel was in a non-safe zone of our territory.”

I shook my head firmly. “That’s impossible. Daniel promised he’d stay in the safe areas. He had a temporary visitor marking.”

“We know,” my father said, turning from the window at last. His eyes flashed gold briefly. “That excuse doesn’t hold water. Not even close.”

Heat rushed through my body, starting at my core and radiating outward until my skin felt like it might burst into flames. I could feel my

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Chapter 52

eyes shift to Kaia’s gold, my fingernails lengthening into claws. The small decorative items on my father’s desk began to tremble as my energy pulsed through the room.

“He rejected me,” I spat, “and then he tries to control my life? And now he attacks Daniel? What gives him the right?”

I grabbed my car keys from my pocket. “I’m going to find him. Make him pay for this.”

Summoning every ounce of courage I had, I reached out through the mindlink I’d spent years trying to ignore.

You coward, I sent to Nathan, my mental voice dripping with venom. Face me!

There was nothing but empty darkness on the other end-a void so complete it sent shivers down my spine. I couldn’t locate him.

“I’m going to find him,” I repeated, heading for the door.

Eric moved with supernatural speed, physically blocking my path. “I already chased him all the way to the pack boundary. He’s gone,

Julia.”

I glared at Eric, sudden understanding dawning. “That’s why I couldn’t reach you earlier. You were tracking him.”

“He’s the future Alpha,” my father added, his voice grave. “You’re not a match for him physically.”

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“So he just gets away with this?” I demanded, pacing the small confines of the study. “No consequences? No punishment for nearly killing

Daniel?”

My father exchanged a look with Eric. “I will report this to Alpha Reynolds, but not yet.”

“We need to ensure your safety first,” he continued, his voice softening slightly. “Yours and Daniel’s.”

I stopped pacing. “The doctor said he’s stable for now, but he hasn’t regained consciousness yet.”

My father’s expression darkened. “We can’t wait for him to fully recover. He needs to be moved immediately.”

“Moved? What do you mean?” I asked.

“If Nathan discovers Daniel survived, he might try to finish what he started,” Eric explained, unable to meet my eyes.

“I need to tell Daniel’s parents,” I said, grabbing my jacket again. “They need to understand the danger.”

My father caught my arm gently but firmly. “Not you. You’re in danger too, Julia.”

“I have to go,” I insisted, pulling against his grip. A knot formed in my throat as Daniel’s pale face flashed in my mind. Claire’s words echoed in my head, a constant reminder of the pain I’d brought into his life. “There are things I need to say to Daniel.”

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Chapter 52

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My father’s expression softened with understanding, but his hold remained firm. The concern in his eyes made my chest tighten with guilt

-one more person worried because of me.

“Whatever you need to tell him can wait. You can call or text him later when it’s safer.”

“No,” I shook my head adamantly, feeling Kaia whine inside me. She understood what I was about to do, and her grief mirrored my own.

“This has to be said in person. He deserves that much from me.”

Eric stepped closer, his brow furrowed with concern. The blood on his clothes-Daniel’s blood-made my stomach churn all over again. I

was the reason for all of this.

“You’ll have plenty of time when school starts again,” he said. “Right now, we need to focus on keeping you both alive.”

I shook my head again, tears threatening to spill as I thought about Claire taking Daniel away forever. My chest felt hollow, like someone

had carved out everything inside me, leaving nothing but cold emptiness.

“If I don’t say it now, I won’t get another chance.” My voice cracked, betraying the storm raging within me.

“What could possibly be so important that you’d risk your life to tell him?” Eric asked, confusion evident in his voice.

I met his eyes, swallowing hard as the words formed on my tongue, bitter and final.

“I need to break up with him.”

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