From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Julia’s POV

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I trudged across campus, my shoulders hunched against the cold January wind. The meeting had ended nearly an hour ago, but the

tension from my emotional outburst still clung to me like a second skin. The few students hurried past, heads down against the biting

cold, as disinterested in me as I was in them.

God, I’d completely lost it in front of everyone. In front of Matthew Collins, of all people. Heat crept up my neck just remembering how

I’d snapped at him over a simple question about Daniel.

You weren’t exactly wrong, Kaia commented, her first real input after days of unusual silence. Everyone does treat you like you’re just Daniel’s

girlfriend-or ex-girlfriend now.

“Still didn’t need to have a meltdown in front of the entire research team,” I muttered under my breath, watching it form little clouds in

the frigid air.

The residence hall loomed ahead, its windows glowing warmly against the darkening sky. I pushed through the door, grateful for the blast of heat that met me. My muscles ached with fatigue as I climbed the stairs to my floor, each step feeling heavier than the last.

When I opened our door, Amber was sprawled across her bed, laptop balanced on her stomach as she watched something on Netflix. She glanced up, immediately pausing her show and sitting up.

“How was the meeting?” she asked, eyes narrowing as she took in my appearance. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”

“It was fine,” I replied, shedding my coat and scarf. “Just long.”

Amber reached over to her desk and grabbed a steaming mug, extending it toward me. “Made tea about ten minutes ago. Figured you

might need it when you got back.”

I accepted the mug gratefully, wrapping my cold fingers around its warmth. “Thanks,” I murmured, sinking onto my bed and kicking off

my boots.

“So, Amber said, her tone suddenly shifting to excited, “was Collins there? The Alpha?”

I looked up, surprised by her interest. “Yeah, he was in the meeting with Professor Andrews. Why?”

Amber’s eyes lit up. “Wait, Collins was actually there? I saw him from a distance at the orientation fair last semester. That man is like a walking Greek god!” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “The senior nursing students are always gossiping about him, but he’s so out of our league-like this campus celebrity no one actually talks to.”

She grinned, her excitement purely that of someone discussing an attractive but unreachable figure. “So? Is he as intimidatingly professional as everyone says? Did he even acknowledge you mere mortals?”

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Chapter 67

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I raised an eyebrow, unable to reconcile her enthusiasm with my own impressions of Matthew. “I guess? If you like the tall, brooding, inconsistently polite type.”

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‘What do you mean ‘inconsistently polite’?” Amber pressed, clearly intrigued.

I took a sip of tea, gathering my thoughts. “He’s just… weird. When I first met him, he was cold and dismissive. Then when Daniel and I started dating, he suddenly became friendly and professional. And today, when he found out Daniel and I broke up, he went right back to being distant.”

I frowned, tapping my finger against the mug as the pattern suddenly became clear. “Wait a second…”

“What?” Amber asked, leaning closer.

“When I was single, he was cold to me… when I was with Daniel, he was friendly… now that Daniel’s gone, he’s cold again…” My eyes

widened as the pieces clicked into place. Oh my God, Does he… like Daniel?

It explained everything-Matthew’s initial hostility toward me, his sudden change when Daniel and I were together, and his return to

coldness after learning of our breakup. I recalled how he’d always seemed interested in Daniel’s contributions during our previous

meetings, how his eyes had followed him.

The mental image of Matthew pining after Daniel while I unwittingly stood between them struck me as absurdly funny. A chuckle escaped

my lips-the first genuine laugh I’d experienced in weeks.

Kaia made a sound that resembled a snort in my mind.

“What’s so funny?” Amber asked, clearly confused by my sudden shift in mood.

I shook my head, still smiling. “Nothing, just thinking about something.”

“You’re being weird,” Amber said, narrowing her eyes playfully. “Do you know some juicy secret about Collins?”

‘No secrets,” I assured her, taking another sip of tea. The warmth spread through me, matching the strange sense of relief I now felt. “How was your weekend? Did your mom finally stop asking about grad school?”

Amber launched into a story about her family’s latest drama, and I settled back against my pillows, nodding at appropriate intervals while

my mind continued to process my revelation about Matthew.

If he had feelings for Daniel, it would explain his strange behavior perfectly. No wonder he’d been so dismissive of me initially-I was a potential rival. When Daniel and I started dating, Matthew had accepted it and been professional. Now that Daniel was single again,

Matthew’s protective coldness had returned.

The thought made me feel strangely lighter. It wasn’t about me at all. It wasn’t that Matthew found me lacking or unworthy-he was just dealing with his own complicated emotions. The realization removed a weight I hadn’t even realized I’d been carrying.

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“Earth to Julia,” Amber said, waving her hand in front of my face. “You’re smiling like you’ve figured out the meaning of life or

something.”

‘Sorry,’ I said, focusing back on her. “Just distracted.”

“Clearly, she replied with an exaggerated eye roll. “Anyway, as I was saying before you zoned out completely…”

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As Amber continued her story, I felt myself relaxing for the first time in days. The hurt from Matthew’s dismissive behavior had dissipated, replaced by an unexpected sympathy. Love was complicated enough for humans-I could only imagine how much more difficult it must be for werewolves, especially ones in positions of power like Matthew.

I’d been so wrapped up in my own pain that I’d never considered others might be suffering too. The thought was oddly comforting-a reminder that I wasn’t alone in navigating the messy complications of the heart.

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