From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Eric’s POV

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The fluorescent lights of the hospital parking lot cast harsh shadows across Julia’s face as Dad and I approached. Even from a distance, I could see she’d been crying. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her shoulders slumped in defeat. The sight hit me like a physical blow, churning

guilt in my stomach.

“She doesn’t look good,” Dad muttered beside me.

“No, she doesn’t.” My voice came out rougher than intended. I couldn’t stop thinking about how I’d contributed to her pain all these years,

blind to the truth Nathan had hidden from us.

As we reached her, Julia kept her gaze fixed on the ground, deliberately avoiding eye contact with me. I wanted to say something- anything to ease the pain etched across her features, but the words stuck in my throat. Her small frame seemed to carry the weight of so

much suffering.

First, the cruel rejection from her fated mate, crushing her spirit. Then, just when she’d found someone good, someone who brought hope back into her life, she was forced to say goodbye all over again. The unfairness of it made my chest ache.

Through our pack bond, I could feel echoes of her hollowness-that terrible emptiness where hope had briefly lived. I thought of Lisa, of the soul-deep connection we’d formed in such a short time. If someone forced me to walk away from her… I wouldn’t just be heartbroken. I’d rather die than endure that separation. Yet here was my little sister, surviving a pain that would destroy most wolves, and doing it

alone because I’d been too blind to see her suffering.

“Let’s get you home, sweetheart,” Dad said gently, placing his arm around her shoulders.

She nodded silently and allowed him to guide her to the car. I held the back door open, noticing how she hesitated before sliding into the

seat, as if even this small kindness from me was unexpected.

The drive home began in heavy silence. Dad took the wheel while I sat in the passenger seat, continually checking the rearview mirror. Julia stared out the window, her reflection in the glass showing vacant eyes that seemed to look past the darkened landscape.

‘I think you should head back to school as soon as possible,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “It’s safer there, away from Nathan’s

territory.”

Dad nodded in agreement. “We’ll need to make arrangements. Your dorm is outside his jurisdiction.”

“And after you’re safely back,” I continued, “Dad and I can approach Nathan’s father with what happened. He needs to know what his son

did to Daniel.”

I saw Julia flinch at Daniel’s name, but she remained silent.

‘I’ve started gathering evidence,” I added. “I took photos of Daniel’s injuries and the site where I found him. Nathan crossed a line

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Chapter 56

attacking a visitor with a temporary marking.”

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Maddox paced restlessly inside me, itching to protect our pack member, to right the wrongs we’d allowed to happen. The feeling was new and powerful-a primal need to defend family rather than follow Nathan’s every command.

Julia’s silence filled the car like a physical presence. I knew it wasn’t just about Daniel’s attack-it was years of my cruelty, my blind loyalty to Nathan at her expense. Every time I’d dismissed her, sided against her, or watched silently while Nathan tormented her.

Everything had happened so fast since my conversation with Lisa that I hadn’t even had the chance to tell Julia how much had changed

inside me. How clearly I now saw the truth.

I didn’t expect her forgiveness-not yet, maybe not for years. Some wounds cut too deep for simple apologies. But I couldn’t bear this wall

between us for another minute.

I turned to face Julia directly. Though she tried to avoid my gaze, I pressed on.

“Julia, I need to say this.” I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry for everything.”

Her eyes flickered to mine momentarily before shifting away again.

“I was blind,” I continued, the words rushing out now. “I was loyal to Nathan when I should have been protecting you. I was supposed to

be your brother, but I became his accomplice instead.”

I saw her swallow hard, her fingers twisting together in her lap.

“Lisa helped me see the truth,” I admitted. “She made me understand what it means to be rejected by your mate, the pain you’ve been

carrying all this time.”

At that, I noticed a subtle shift in Julia’s expression-the slightest softening around her eyes, a tiny spark of hope I hadn’t seen in years.

‘I won’t ask for your forgiveness,” I said quietly. “I don’t deserve it. But I swear I’ll do everything in my power to make this right, to

protect you from him.”

Before she could respond, a sharp prickling sensation shot through the back of my neck. I immediately tensed, my body going rigid.

“Eric?” Dad asked, noticing my sudden reaction.

“Nathan,” I said through clenched teeth. “I can feel him through our link.”

Julia sat up straighter, alarm crossing her features. “He’s here?”

I nodded grimly. “The Alpha-Beta bond lets me sense when he’s nearby. I can feel him back in pack territory.”

Opening my mind, I deliberately established the mindlink connection with Nathan. My whole body tensed as his presence invaded my

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Chapter 56

mind-the sensation like ice water flooding through my veins.

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Dad glanced worriedly at me as my face twisted in rage. “Eric, what’s happening?”

m

I held up a hand, unable to respond as Nathan’s emotions crashed over me-savage satisfaction, possessive fury, and a chilling absence of

any guilt.

You crossed a line, Nathan, I growled through our link. Daniel had protection under pack law-

I AM the pack law! Nathan’s voice roared in my mind, making me physically flinch. I’ll be Alpha soon, and everyone will remember what happens to those who defy me. That pathetic outsider touched what’s MINE.

Julia isn’t yours, I shot back, my mental voice shaking with anger. You rejected her. You gave up any claim-

I reject nothing that belongs to me, he cut in, his tone dripping with menace. Your sister is my property to use or discard as I see fit. And you,

Eric? You’re nothing but a traitor now. When I take control, I’ll make sure your entire family suffers. Slowly.

Something in his tone made my blood run cold. I could sense his wolf, prowling with predatory intent, getting closer…

My eyes flew open as realization struck. “Dad!” I shouted, my voice cracking with urgency. “He’s following us! Nathan’s right behind us!”

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17:27 Tue, Jan 27