From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Matthew’s POV

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The community center glowed with string lights and evergreen garlands, laughter and conversation spilling from its open doors into the cold December night. I stood in the parking lot, one foot on the first step, frozen in place.

“It’s just a Christmas party,” I muttered to myself, but my heart hammered as if I were facing down a rogue wolf.

You need to do this, Hati urged in my mind. The pack needs to see their Alpha participating.

Two years. It had been two years since I’d attended any pack celebration. Two years of declining invitations, sending James in my place, and burying myself in security reports while others celebrated around me.

I took a deep breath of pine-scented air and forced myself up the steps. When I pushed open the door, the wave of warmth, cinnamon, and conversation hit me like a physical force. A group of pack members near the entrance suddenly stopped talking, their eyes widening at the sight of me. Further inside, an elderly couple exchanged shocked glances before breaking into tentative smiles.

Mr. Abernathy, Rachel’s old neighbor, quickly wiped the corner of his eye when he thought no one was looking.

The memories crashed in without warning – Rachel standing on a chair, struggling to hang garland along the ceiling beams. Her laugh

when I lifted her down, spinning her in a circle while fake snow from the decorations dusted our hair. The way she always insisted on

being the first to add ornaments to the tree, claiming the best spots for her collection of handmade stars.

The memory stung, but not with the usual knife-edge of pain. Instead, it warmed something long-frozen inside me. I could remember her

joy without drowning in her absence.

‘Matthew!”

Olivia’s shocked voice cut through the room. She stood by the refreshment table, her pregnancy now unmistakable under her festive red

sweater. Her hand flew to her mouth, and for a horrible moment, I thought she might cry. James appeared beside her, his expression a

mixture of surprise and cautious hope.

“You came,” he said simply, crossing the room to clasp my shoulder. His grip was firm, his eyes suspiciously bright. “Damn good to see you

here, man.”

Olivia rushed over as quickly as her condition allowed, throwing her arms around me. I awkwardly returned her hug, the unfamiliar

contact making me tense before I forced myself to relax.

“Sorry,” she said, stepping back with a watery smile. “Hormones. But Matthew, we’re so happy you’re here.”

James cleared his throat. “The turkey needs carving. Want to help?”

Id nowOR CORVed a turkey before

17:28 Tue, Jan 27

Chapter 58

Rachel had always handled it, teasing me about my lack of culinary skills.

“Just don’t take off a finger,” James advised, seeing my hesitation. “Although with our healing abilities, I suppose it wouldn’t be

catastrophic.”

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My first slice was too thin, falling apart as I tried to transfer it to the serving platter. The second was comically thick. By the third, I had

a small audience watching the Alpha of Spring Valley pack struggle with basic food preparation.

‘You’re supposed to go against the grain,” Olivia advised, trying to keep a straight face.

“I’m going against a lot of things tonight,” I replied, and suddenly, impossibly, I was smiling too. The kitchen erupted in laughter – not

mocking, but the kind of warm laughter that knits a community together. For the first time in years, I felt like I belonged somewhere

beyond my office and the forest where I ran alone at night.

As I finished mangling the turkey, James leaned in close. “I have some news,” he said quietly. “I called your parents when you agreed to

come tonight. They’re thrilled, Matt. They’re cutting their Canada trip short to be here for Christmas Eve.”

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