From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 73

Eric’s POV

“That could be doctored,” he said finally, but his voice lacked

conviction.

“Doctored?” I spat out the word, a harsh laugh escaping me. “You think I would fake this?” My wolf surged forward again, and I could feel my canines lengthening. “I also have these.” I threw the sealed evidence bag onto his desk, the impact scattering some nearby papers. “Daniel’s blood sample from the scene and photos of his wounds. The attack pattern clearly shows a werewolf, and the DNA

will match Nathan’s.”

Alpha Reynolds stared at the evidence, his fingers trembling slightly. “There must be an explanation. Boys fighting-”

“This wasn’t a fight,” my father interjected firmly. “This was attempted murder.”

“And it wasn’t random,” I added, taking another aggressive step forward. My voice had dropped to a dangerous growl. “Nathan attacked Daniel because of Julia.”

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Alpha Reynolds looked confused. “Your sister? What does she have to

do with this?”

I took a deep breath, knowing this would be the hardest part for him to accept. “Julia is Nathan’s fated mate. He rejected her and has been tormenting her ever since. Daniel was helping her escape Nathan’s

control.”

The color drained from Alpha Reynolds‘ face. “That’s… that can’t be true. The Moon Goddess’s gift is sacred. No wolf would reject their

fated mate.”

“Nathan did,” I said flatly. “He’s been punishing Julia for months because he believes she’s beneath him.”

“You’re mistaken,” Alpha Reynolds insisted, but doubt had crept into his voice. “Nathan would have told me if he’d found his mate.”

“Would he?” I challenged, slamming my palm on his desk. The wood cracked slightly under the impact, and several pens rolled to the floor. “When that mate is the daughter of your Beta? When he’s spent months bullying and controlling her? When he’s threatened to make her life hell when he becomes Alpha?”

“Eric!” My father’s voice cut through my rage like a whip.

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Alpha Reynolds stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the

hardwood. “You’re overstepping, Eric. Remember who you’re speaking

to.”

I felt my wolf pushing harder, wanting to challenge this Alpha who defended his son’s cruelty. A low growl escaped my throat.

“ERIC.” My father’s voice was sharper now, accompanied by the weight eta command. He gripped my shoulder hard, his fingers

into muscle. “Control yourself.”

e

command hit me like cold water. I blinked, suddenly aware of how close I’d come to shifting in the Alpha’s study. My breathing was ragged, sweat beading on my forehead. I forced my wolf back, feeling my canines retract and my claws shorten back to human nails.

“I apologize for my son’s outburst,” my father said formally, though his hand remained firm on my shoulder. “But not for the truth of his

words.”

I took three deep breaths, focusing on Lisa through our bond. Her calming presence washed over me, helping me regain control. I stepped back, nodding stiffly to my father. He’s right, I thought. Losing control won’t help Julia. Strategy matters more than my anger

right now.

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Alpha Reynolds closed his eyes, his face contorted in concentration.

He was trying to reach Nathan through their Alpha–Beta link–the same one that would connect me and Nathan one day. After several tense moments, his eyes snapped open, confusion evident.

“I can’t reach him,” he admitted. “There’s nothing. Just… emptiness.”

“Probably passed out drunk somewhere,” I muttered before I could stop myself. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

My father’s voice was sharp.

Alpha Reynolds‘ eyes flashed gold. “You forget yourself, young man. Whatever your grievances, Nathan is still your future Alpha.”

I felt the anger rising again but caught myself this time, remembering my father’s silent communication. Be smarter than your emotions. I straightened my shoulders instead, meeting the Alpha’s gaze directly.

“Not if he keeps attacking innocent people,” I said, my voice controlled but firm. “Not if he threatens my family.”

“What threats?” Alpha Reynolds demanded.

“His exact words were, ‘When I become Alpha, you and your family will pay for this,“” I quoted, my voice hard. “That was after he nearly

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killed Daniel.”

My father stepped forward, placing a restraining hand on my shoulder. “Charles, we waited until Julia was safely back at school to

bring this to you. We didn’t want to risk Nathan making good on his

threats.”

Alpha Reynolds sank back into his chair, suddenly looking older. “I need time to find Nathan, to hear his side.”

“His side?” The words escaped before I could stop them, incredulity breaking through my tenuous control. I felt my father’s grip tighten on my shoulder, and I forced myself to take another deep breath. He needs time to process this, I reminded myself. Dad’s approach is more likely to work than my anger.

I fell silent, still seething but recognizing the wisdom in my father’s restraint. I’d given up precious time with Lisa for this–to watch Alpha Reynolds make excuses for his son’s inexcusable behavior. But alienating him wouldn’t help our cause.

My father took control of the conversation again. “Charles, this isn’t a request for investigation. This is a formal report of a serious crime. Nathan must answer for his actions before the pack council.”

Alpha Reynolds nodded slowly. “I understand the seriousness of these

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