From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Eric’s POV

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Dad’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel as he checked the rearview mirror. “How close?”

I spun around, searching the road behind us, my heart hammering against my ribs. “I don’t know, but he’s getting closer. I can feel it. He’s hunting us!”

The mindlink connection still burned between us, and Nathan’s final message sliced through my mind like a blade:

Run all you want. You can’t hide her from me.

I severed the connection with a gasp, my head pounding from the violent disconnect. “Drive faster,” I urged, my voice tight with fear. “He’s

coming for Julia.”

I turned to look out the rear window and caught a glimpse of familiar headlights. “It’s his SUV.”

“Dad, drive faster,” I urged. “He’s furious and looking for Julia.”

I reached back and placed my hand on Julia’s shoulder, feeling her tremble beneath my touch. “I won’t let him near you,” I promised. “Not

again.”

Her eyes met mine, and for the first time in years, I saw trust there-fragile and newborn, but present. It made my chest ache with a

mixture of relief and determination.

Dad accelerated, taking a sharp turn onto our street. The tires screeched against the asphalt as we sped toward home, the headlights

cutting through the darkness ahead.

“He’s still coming,” I warned, feeling Nathan’s presence growing stronger through our bond. My wolf Maddox was snarling, hackles raised,

ready to fight.

Julia’s reflection in the rearview mirror showed her pale face, eyes wide with fear. “He won’t stop,” she whispered.

We skidded to a halt in front of our house, and I was out of the car before the engine died.

“Go!” I yanked open Julia’s door, practically lifting her from the seat. “Get inside now!”

Dad rushed ahead to unlock the front door as I scanned the street behind us. The distant glow of headlights rounded the corner-Nathan’s

SUV.

“He’s here,” I hissed, my voice tight with urgency. “Julia, lock yourself in your room. Don’t come out no matter what you hear.”

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Chapter 57

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She hesitated, her eyes meeting mine. “Eric-

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“GO!” I pushed her toward the door. “We’ll handle him.”

Dad stood beside me on the porch as Julia disappeared inside. Should we call for backup?” he asked quietly.

“No time, I muttered, watching as Nathan’s black SUV rolled to a stop at the curb. “Stay between him and the house.”

My heart hammered in my chest as Nathan emerged from his vehicle. Even in the dim light, I could see the dangerous gleam in his eyes.

He approached with deliberate slowness, like a predator savoring the hunt.

“You already made your choice,” I called out, my voice carrying through the night air. “Leave, Nathan. Now.”

Nathan’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Uncle Robert, he greeted my father with forced politeness, completely ignoring me. “I believe

there’s been a misunderstanding. I just want to speak with Julia about her… visitor.”

The way he said “visitor” made my skin crawl. I stepped forward, blocking his path to the steps.

“We both know what you did to Daniel,” I growled. “I found him, Nathan. I saw what you left of him.”

Nathan’s gaze finally shifted to me, eyes narrowing dangerously. “He was trespassing. I was enforcing pack law.”

“Bullshit!” The word exploded from me. “He had a temporary marking. You nearly killed him!”

Dad placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. “Nathan,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “what you did violates not just our laws but those of the Council itself. Attacking a marked visitor is grounds for disciplinary action.”

Nathan laughed, the sound sharp and humorless. “And who will the Council believe? The future Alpha of Star Shadow, or a family

harboring an outsider who’s trying to steal what’s mine?”

“Julia is not your property,” I spat, my hands clenching into fists so tight my knuckles cracked.

“No?” Nathan took another step closer, his smile vanishing. “I rejected her, which means I decide her fate in this pack. Not you. Not your

father. Me.

I pulled out my phone, holding it up like a shield. “I documented everything, Nathan. The attack site. Daniel’s wounds. The blood trail

leading straight to where I found you. The Council will see exactly what you did.”

Through our bond, I could feel his fury at being challenged, but I stubbornly blocked my own emotions from him.

‘If you want to handle this with violence,” I stepped forward, ‘my father and I can accommodate that. Two Betas against one future Alpha

-those aren’t bad odds.”

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Nathan’s face before his mask of confidence returned.

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“You know what happens to Betas who challenge their Alphas,” he said quietly. “When my father steps down, your entire family will pay for this betrayal. Starting with Julia.”

Dad moved forward then, his presence calm but imposing. “Threats against my daughter are threats against me, Nathan. Think carefully

about the war you’re starting.”

For a moment, the night air vibrated with tension. Nathan’s gaze traveled from Dad to me, to the house behind us, calculating.

“Fine,” he finally said, taking a step back. “Have your little rebellion. But remember, Eric-you chose the wrong side. When I’m Alpha,

there won’t be room in this pack for traitors.”

As he turned to leave, I called after him, “The Council meeting is next month. I’ll make sure they see the evidence by then.”

Nathan paused at his car door, his face a mask of cold fury. “This isn’t over.” The promise in his voice sent ice through my veins. “Not by a

long shot.”

As his SUV pulled away, I released the breath I’d been holding, my body still thrumming with adrenaline.

*He’ll be back,” Dad said quietly. “And next time, he won’t come alone.”

I nodded, staring after Nathan’s retreating taillights. “I know. But neither will we.”

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17:28 Tue, Jan 27