From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59

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The carving knife slipped, narrowly missing my thumb. “You’ve been in touch with my parents?*

James raised an eyebrow. “Of course. They call monthly for updates on you and the pack. Did you think they just disappeared?”

I had, in fact. After Rachel died, my parents had given me space

the world, supposedly for ‘retirement,’ leaving me to lead alone.

–

too much space, I’d thought bitterly. They’d started traveling around

“They didn’t want to interfere with your leadership,” James continued, keeping his voice low. “They thought you needed to establish

yourself without them hovering. But they’ve never stopped caring, Matthew. They’ve been waiting for a sign that you were ready.”

“And my attending a Christmas party is that sign?” I couldn’t keep the edge from my voice.

“You coming back to life is the sign,” James replied bluntly. “This is the first step you’ve taken toward rejoining the world in two years.”

I turned back to the turkey, focusing on the simple task to avoid showing how deeply his words had affected me. “So they just abandoned

me to ‘sink or swim’ and now they’re swooping back in? Convenient timing.”

Hati growled in disagreement. You know better. They gave you what you needed – independence to grow into your role as Alpha without

leaning on them.

He was right, though I hated to admit it. My parents’ departure had forced me to focus on the pack rather than indulge my grief. Without

them to fall back on, I’d had no choice but to step up. And now that I was beginning to emerge from the darkness, they felt it was safe to

return.

The party flowed around me after that, pack members gradually becoming more relaxed in my presence. Children who had been shy at first now darted past me in games of tag, and elders who had kept their distance approached to share pack news and concerns.

As the evening progressed, James called for everyone’s attention. “As you all know, it’s our tradition for the Alpha to light the community

tree, he announced. All eyes turned to me.

For the past two years, James had performed this duty in my absence. The simple ritual symbolized the Alpha’s role as a bringer of light and guidance to the pack. My throat tightened as James handed me the ceremonial lighter.

I approached the massive pine tree, adorned but unlit, standing in the center of the community hall. I flicked the lighter.

The tree blazed to life, multicolored lights reflecting in the ornaments. The pack applauded, and children gasped in delight. For a moment, looking at their upturned faces illuminated by the gentle glow, I felt something I hadn’t experienced in years: hope.

–

By the end of the evening, exhaustion settled over me like a heavy blanket, but beneath it was a different sensation a quiet satisfaction. As people began to leave, I caught James and Olivia exchanging a knowing smile when they thought I wasn’t looking. Something was changing in me, even if the road ahead still stretched long and uncertain.

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Chapter 59

The walk home through fresh-fallen snow was peaceful. Streetlights cast blue shadows across the pristine white ground, and my breath

formed clouds in the cold air. My parents would be arriving soon. The thought made me both nervous and strangely eager. We had much

to discuss, much to rebuild.

I paused at my front door, looking back at the neighborhood with its Christmas lights reflecting off the snow. “I think you’d like to see me

trying again,” I whispered to Rachel, my words visible in the frozen air. “I’m not sure how to do this without you, but I’m trying.

A single snowflake drifted down, landing on my cheek like a gentle touch before melting away.

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17:28 Tue, Jan 27