From Rejected Mate to Luna (Julia White) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

I imagined how it would feel–marking Julia, claiming her, feeling the

rush of power as the bond formed between us. My body tightened at

the thought, a mix of anticipation and disgust churning within me.

Once I had that power, I would be unstoppable. My father would fall

before me, and the pack would be mine to command.

It took me two more days to reach the edge of the university campus. I kept to the shadows, my once–clean–shaven face now covered in a rough beard that helped disguise me. I approached a maintenance worker near the administrative building, affecting a casual air.

“Hey, I’m trying to find a nursing student,” I said, keeping my voice friendly. “Julia White? We were supposed to meet up for a project, but

my phone died.”

The older man squinted at me suspiciously. “Don’t know any students by name. Office might know.”

I followed the man’s gesture toward a small building labeled “Campus Information.” Inside, a middle–aged woman looked up from her

computer.

1/5

Chapter 86

“How can I help you?” she asked.

I leaned on the counter. “I’m looking for Julia White, nursing

program. Family emergency, need to reach her right away.”

The woman frowned slightly but turned to her computer. “White,

White… ah, Julia. Nursing.” She clicked through several screens. “Says

here she’s on an off–campus assignment. Research project at Spring

Valley Medical Center.”

I forced my face to remain neutral despite the surge of excitement.

“Spring Valley? Where’s that exactly?”

“About half an hour north, near the mountains. Beautiful area.” The

woman tilted her head. “You family?”

“Cousin,” I lied smoothly. “Thanks for your help.”

Spring Valley. I knew of it–another pack territory, smaller than Star Shadow but reportedly well–organized. It would be a challenge to

infiltrate, but not impossible.

I traveled north, sticking to forests and avoiding main roads. I hunted when I could, stealing food and supplies from isolated cabins when

necessary.

2/6

Chapter 86

Shadow grew stronger each day, pushing me toward a more primal

state. Human thoughts became harder to maintain for long periods,

instinct taking over more frequently. I found myself responding to

sounds and movements like a predator, my wolf barely contained

beneath my skin.

Closer to our true nature, Shadow approved. Stronger this way.

I crouched in the dense forest that bordered Spring Valley pack

territory. I had spent hours observing their patrol patterns, watching as pairs of warriors made regular circuits of the boundaries.

This pack was more cautious than Star Shadow, I noted. Their patrols were more frequent, their warriors more alert. Breaking through their

defenses would not be easy.

A patrol passed less than twenty feet from my hiding place–two men moving with the confident grace of experienced fighters. I held my breath, willing myself to become part of the forest floor. One of the men paused, head lifting as he scented the air.

“Something wrong?” his partner asked.

“Thought I caught something… strange,” the first man replied, still scanning the trees. “Almost like rogue wolf, but not quite.”

、、。

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify