From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Nathan’s POV

I curled my body tighter in the shallow cave, trying to escape the

biting cold that had settled into my bones. Three days had passed since I’d manipulated my way out of the detention facility, three days of running, hiding, and sleeping in whatever shelter I could find. My once–pristine clothes were now torn and mud–stained, my carefully

styled hair matted with dirt and leaves.

I shifted, wincing as a sharp rock dug into my hip. The cave was barely deep enough to conceal me, but it had kept me hidden from the search parties that had combed through these woods yesterday.

A bitter smile crossed my face as I remembered how easy it had been to escape. Trent, the night guard, had been so susceptible to my influence. I had felt the power growing inside me for months–the Alpha blood strengthening as my inheritance drew nearer.

My thoughts circled relentlessly back to my father’s betrayal. The image of the man using an Alpha command on me–forcing me to my knees, compelling me to confess–made rage bubble up inside me like

acid.

They chose Eric over me. My own father chose that traitor over his son.

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Inside my mind, Shadow paced restlessly, growling and snapping. The

creature had grown more vocal with each passing day, pushing me

toward action rather than hiding. Its presence felt different now-

darker, more demanding.

Kill. Hunt. Take back what’s ours.

“Soon,” I promised, rubbing my temples. My thoughts seemed to

fracture and reform in strange patterns. Sometimes I’d find myself

staring into space, minutes or hours lost to rage–filled fantasies. I

knew this wasn’t normal, but I blamed the anger, blamed Eric’s

betrayal, blamed my father’s public humiliation of me.

It couldn’t be anything else. I was just angry. Justifiably angry.

By midday, I had crawled to the small creek near my hiding place. My

throat burned with thirst, and despite the risk of being seen, I needed

water. Leaning over the surface, I cupped my hands to drink, then

froze as I caught sight of my reflection.

For a moment, I thought I was looking at my father. The same stern

mouth, the same cold eyes. I slapped at the water, destroying the

image.

“I am nothing like you,” I hissed.

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Chapter 85

But the resemblance had triggered memories of my Alpha training-

years of preparation for the role that should have been my birthright.

I remembered the hunting exercises, tracking prey for miles without

rest. The combat training, where I’d excelled beyond every other

young wolf in the pack. The leadership seminars, where I’d learned to

command with my voice, to project authority.

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