From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Julia’s POV

71

I stood in the middle of my childhood bedroom, mechanically folding a sweater that no longer seemed important. My suitcase lay open on

the bed, half-filled with clothes I’d hastily grabbed from drawers. My movements were automatic, my mind elsewhere specifically, in a

hospital room where Daniel lay broken because of me.

The soft knock on my door barely registered until Eric’s voice called out.

“Julia? Can I come in?”

I didn’t answer, but he entered anyway, his eyes immediately landing on my suitcase. His expression shifted from concern to confusion.

“You’re packing? Where are you going?”

“Back to campus,” I replied flatly, not looking up as I folded another shirt. “I already called the housing office. I told them I needed to get

back early to prepare for next semester.”

Eric leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “And what did they say?”

I tossed the shirt into the suitcase with more force than necessary. “They said no. Campus housing doesn’t reopen until January 3rd. No

students are allowed back early.” My voice cracked slightly. “So I’m stuck here.”

The silence that followed was uncomfortable. I expected Eric to make some cutting remark about how I was trying to run away again. Instead, he surprised me by stepping into the room and gently lifting a stack of clothes from my hands.

“Let me help you put these back,” he said quietly.

–

I stared at him, searching for the mockery or judgment I’d grown accustomed to seeing in his eyes. There was none just regret and something that looked strangely like determination.

‘Dad increased security around the house,” Eric continued as he placed my clothes back in the drawer. “Nathan wouldn’t dare come near

here now. You’re safe.”

The word ‘safe’ sounded hollow to me. Physical safety meant little when my heart felt shattered beyond repair. But I nodded anyway, too

tired to argue.

“Mom’s making dinner, Eric said, his voice deliberately casual. ‘She asked if you wanted hot chocolate with the mini marshmallows you

like.”

I froze, my hand halfway to the drawer. It had been years since my mother had made me hot chocolate with mini marshmallows – a childhood comfort she’d offered whenever I was upset. The fact that she remembered, that she was offering it now…

17:28 Tue, Jan 27

Chapter 60

“I… yeah, that would be nice, I managed to say, my throat suddenly tight.

ZOG)

Eric nodded and headed for the door, then paused. “Julia…” he started, then stopped, seemingly struggling with his words. “I’m sorry. For

everything.”

Before I could respond, he was gone, leaving me staring at the empty doorway.

Kaia stirred within me. Something has changed with him.

I don’t know if I can trust it, I replied silently. After all these years of him taking Nathan’s side…

People can surprise you, she said gently. Sometimes for the better.

Downstairs, the kitchen was warm and filled with the smell of my mother’s cooking. She stood at the stove, stirring something in a pot.

When she saw me, her expression softened.

“There you are, sweetheart. I’m making your favorite pasta.”

I hadn’t realized I was hungry until that moment. “Can I help?”

She seemed surprised by my offer but quickly nodded. “You can chop the herbs.”

We worked side by side in a silence that gradually became comfortable. As I focused on the simple task of mincing basil and parsley, my

mother cleared her throat.

“I heard about what happened to Daniel,” she said softly. “I’m so sorry, Julia.”

I kept my eyes on the cutting board. “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t brought him here—”

“No,” my mother interrupted firmly. “What happened to that young man is not your fault. It’s the fault of the person who attacked him.’

–

I looked up at her, surprised by the steel in her voice. She didn’t know the full story that Nathan was my rejected mate, that he’d attacked Daniel out of jealousy and possessiveness but she understood enough to recognize the injustice.

“How is he?” she asked.

‘Recovering,” I said shortly, not wanting to delve into the painful memory of our goodbye. “His parents took him back to their

reservation.”

My mother nodded, not pressing for more details, and I was grateful for her restraint.

Dinner was surprisingly relaxed. My father and Eric carefully avoided mentioning Nathan or Daniel, instead discussing plans for the holiday week ahead. Sophia, who usually dominated conversations with stories about her social circle, was unusually subdued,

occasionally glancing at me with curiosity.

17:28 Tue, Jan 27

Chapter 60

After dinner, as I helped clear the table, Sophia approached me hesitantly.

Ø⇨7L

“Julia?” she asked, her voice lacking its usual confidence. “Could you… would you mind helping me with something? In my room?*

Surprised, I followed her upstairs. Her room was exactly what you’d expect from a teenage girl – posters of bands and movies covering the

walls, makeup scattered across the vanity, clothes draped over every available surface.

“I’m trying to decide which photos to post,” she explained, showing me her phone. “For my social media. You have good taste in stuff like

that, right?”

The compliment, so unexpected from my usually dismissive sister, caught me off guard. “I… I guess?”

We sat on her bed, scrolling through dozens of photos. As she showed me selfie after selfie, asking which filter looked best or if this angle

was better than that one, I realized she was making a genuine effort to connect with me.

“What about this one?” she asked, showing me a photo of herself at sunset, the light catching her hair just right.

“That’s actually really good,” I said honestly. “The lighting is beautiful. Did you take it yourself?”

She nodded, a hint of pride in her eyes. “I’ve been playing around with photography. Not that anyone at school cares. They’re all obsessed

with who’s dating who and pack rankings.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s so boring.”

I studied my sister with new interest. “That’s a change of tune. A few months ago, you were having the time of your life with all the pack

drama and social rankings.”

Sophia’s cheeks flushed pink. “People grow up, you know,” she mumbled, fidgeting with her phone case.

Seeing her embarrassment, I quickly steered the conversation back. “I had no idea you were interested in photography.”

Sophia shrugged, suddenly self-conscious. “It’s whatever. Just something to do.”

“No, it’s really good,” I insisted. “You have an eye for composition. Is that something you might want to pursue? In college maybe?”

The word ‘college’ seemed to spark something in her. She bit her lip, glancing at me sideways.

“What’s it like? College, I mean. Being away from… everything.”

17:28 Tue, Jan 27

From Rejected Mate to Luna