From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 76

Julia’s POV

I stood up from my barstool, intending to head back to the guest

quarters, but the room tilted unexpectedly. My legs, which had felt

perfectly stable while sitting, suddenly seemed incapable of

supporting my weight. I stumbled forward, my hand grasping at

empty air.

Strong arms caught me before I hit the floor.

“Whoa there,” a voice said close to my ear. “Easy does it.”

Through my alcohol–fogged vision, I recognized Jason Miller, the

security team member I’d met briefly during the wolf pack tour. His

hands steadied me with practiced ease, one arm supporting my back

while the other held my elbow.

My first instinct was to pull away–years of conditioning made me

recoil from unexpected male contact–but my body refused to

cooperate with my mind’s commands. My limbs felt heavy and

disconnected, as though they belonged to someone else entirely.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled, the words slurring together despite my best

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Chapter 76

efforts. “Just… need a minute.”

“You need more than a minute,” Jason said, concern evident in his

tone. “How much have you had to drink?”

I tried to count but gave up when the numbers became confusing.

“Not… that much,” I insisted unconvincingly.

“Right,” Jason said with a gentle laugh. “Let’s get you some water and

“Miller, get your hands off her. Now.”

The command cut through the tavern’s ambient noise like a blade.

Even in my inebriated state, I recognized the unmistakable authority

of an Alpha voice.

Jason’s hands immediately released me, and I swayed dangerously

without his support. Through the haze, I saw Matthew Collins

standing in the doorway, his expression thunderous.

“Alpha,” Jason acknowledged, stepping back. “She was about to fall-”

“I can see what she was about to do,” Matthew interrupted coldly,

striding forward. His eyes blazed with barely controlled anger as he

looked between Jason and me.

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Chapter 76

Something about his tone penetrated my alcohol–induced fog,

sparking irritation that cut through my confusion. I tried to focus on

his face, which seemed to blur and sharpen alternately.

“He was just… helping,” I said, my words coming out thick and

unsteady. “I almost fell.”

Matthew’s jaw clenched. “You’re drunk.”

“So what?” I shot back, swaying slightly. The room tilted again, and I

had to concentrate hard to keep my balance. “I’m an adult. I can drink

if I want.”

“Not in my territory, you can’t,” Matthew said, his voice tight with

frustration. “Not like this.”

“Your territory?” I laughed, the sound bitter and slightly unhinged.

“Since when do you care what I do? You’ve made it perfectly clear you

want nothing to do with me.”

Matthew’s expression flickered with something I couldn’t quite

identify–surprise, maybe, or guilt. But before I could process it, he

turned back to Jason.

“You’re dismissed, Miller.”

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Chapter 76

Jason hesitated, glancing at me with obvious concern. “Sir, she

shouldn’t be alone in this condition-”

“I said you’re dismissed,” Matthew repeated, his tone brooking no

argument.

Jason nodded reluctantly and left, throwing one last worried look

over his shoulder. I watched him go with a mixture of gratitude and

frustration, my vision swimming.

Matthew turned his full attention to me, and even through my

drunken haze, I felt the weight of his scrutiny. “Come on,” he said, his

voice softer but still commanding. “You need to sober up.”

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