Luna Forsaken (Arya and James) novel Chapter 27

27 The Healer’s Door: The Truth in My Blood

Arya’s POV

I paused at the door but didn’t turn.

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Leah continued, voice quiet, almost intimate, like she was sharing something personal.

“Some women would fight,” she murmured. “Some would beg. Some would scream.”

I opened the door.

Leah’s voice sharpened, the sweetness thinning.

“But you?” she said. “You’re just… lingering.”

I stepped out.

Leah’s voice followed me, louder now, cutting out of the hut like a thrown blade.

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“That child you’re carrying

My shoulders stayed level.

I didn’t turn.

Behind me, Leah kept going, her tone mocking.

“The Nightwind pack belongs to its Alpha,” she said. “And your Alpha belongs to my father.”

I heard one of the maids gasp softly, like Leah had said something delicious.

Leah’s voice rose another notch.

“So whether that baby has James’s blood or not,” she said, clearly, “the child in my womb

will still be James’s heir.”

The words hit the air and hung there, filthy and bold.

My hand tightened on the door frame for one brief second.

Then I let go.

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Leah’s voice turned sweet again.

“It’s best you leave,” she said. “If you know what’s best for you.”

I stepped away from the hut.

I didn’t answer.

I didn’t look back.

I walked.

Fast.

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Straight.

My feet carried me down the path like my body knew that if I stayed one second longer, the

gain.

me would explode and give her the scene she was starving for.

Liking until the healer’s hut was behind me and the noise of the packhouse rose

Crates being dragged.

Chairs being stacked.

Voices calling instructions.

Someone shouted, “Move that table closer to the hall!”

Another voice answered, “Yes!”

I crossed the yard, head high, eyes forward.

A group of women stood near the laundry line. When I passed them, their conversation

stopped mid-word.

One of them scoffed quietly.

Another leaned into her friend and whispered something.

They all stared.

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<27 The Healer’s Door: The Truth in My Blood

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I didn’t slow.

Then I saw him.

Beta Nixon.

He was coming from the main hall, walking with purpose, brows drawn together like the

weight of the pack was sitting on his shoulders.

When his gaze landed on me, he slowed.

Not like someone forced to greet me.

Like someone choosing to.

He stopped a few feet away.

“Arya,” he said.

I inclined my head. “Beta.”

His eyes moved over my face, sharp, measuring.

“You’re out early,” he said.

“I had a check-up,” I replied.

Nixon’s gaze flicked past me, toward the healer’s hut.

Then back to me.

His jaw tightened.

“Did you get it?” he asked.

I didn’t answer directly. “Lesley asked me to come back later.”

Nixon’s expression darkened.

He didn’t ask why.

He already knew why.

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< 27 The Healer’s Door: The Truth in My Blood

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We stood in the middle of the yard while people moved around us, pretending not to listen,

pretending not to watch, but their ears were turned.

Nixon’s voice dropped. “Walk with me.”

I followed him.

He led me toward the side path near the storage building, where fewer people stood, where

the noise dimmed.

As we moved, a warrior passed and greeted Nixon with respect.

“Beta.”

Nixon nodded.

The warrior didn’t look at me.

Didn’t greet.

Didn’t even pretend.

Nixon noticed.

His jaw flexed again.

When we were a few steps away from the busiest area, Nixon spoke quietly.

“They’re preparing for the Union leaders,” he said.

I kept my face blank. “I figured.”

“They’ll arrive soon,” Nixon added. “Inspection. Signing. The whole ceremony.”

1 gave a small nod. “Congratulations.”

Nixon’s gaze snapped to me.

The sarcasm wasn’t in my voice.

The emptiness was.

Nixon’s mouth tightened. “You’re not enthusiastic.”

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< 27 The Healer’s Door: The Truth in My Blood

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I let out a breath, controlled. “Should I be?”

Nixon didn’t answer immediately.

He looked ahead, then back at me.

“You heard the pack,” he said. “They’re excited. They think this will end the border attacks.”

“They think,” I repeated.

Nixon’s eyes hardened.

“You think it won’t,” he said.

I didn’t answer with emotion. I answered with truth.

“I think Marcel already owns everything,” I said. “Signing won’t change that.”

Nixon’s jaw clenched.

“It’s sad,” he muttered, more to himself than to me, “that James can’t see he’s signing

everything away.”

My gaze stayed on Nixon. “He sees.”

Nixon scoffed. “No, he doesn’t.”

doesn’t.”

“He sees enough,” I said.

Nixon’s eyes narrowed. “I wonder why he is still doing it.”

I didn’t respond.

Nixon shook his head once, frustrated.

We walked a few more steps.

The side path opened into a quieter stretch near the back of the compound, where a row of old trees partially blocked view from the hall and the yard.

Nixon slowed.

He glanced around, checking who was near.

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<27 The Healer’s Door: The Truth in My Blood

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No one close enough to hear.

He stopped.

I stopped too.

His voice dropped. “They’ll want you at the signing.”

I didn’t pretend surprise. “I know.”

Nixon’s expression tightened again. “It’s part of the performance.”

“Is it?” I asked.

Nixon didn’t like that question.

His eyes flickered.

He exhaled sharply. “Marcel wants the pack to see the new order. He wants everyone… aligned.”

“Aligned,” I repeated.

Nixon’s gaze sharpened. “You’re playing with words.”

“I’m repeating the ones everyone else is using,” I said.

Nixon’s mouth tightened. “Leah is calling herself official Luna now.”

I didn’t react.

Nixon watched me anyway, like he expected something to crack.

When nothing did, his gaze softened slightly, just for a second.

“You’re handling it better than most would,” he said quietly.

“Handling,” I echoed.

Nixon’s brows lifted.

I stared at him. “I’m walking and breathing. That’s all.”

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< 27 The Healer’s Door: The Truth in My Blood

Nixon looked away.

For a moment, we stood in silence.

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Then I spoke, keeping my voice low, fast, like I didn’t want to give myself time to

reconsider.

“I need Alpha Maxwell’s number.”

Nixon turned back sharply. “What?”

“I need Alpha Maxwell’s number,” I repeated.

Nixon’s eyes narrowed, suspicion and discomfort sliding in.

“Why?”

“You know why,” I said.

Nixon’s jaw tightened. “Arya,”

“I’m not asking you to start a war,” I cut in. “I’m asking you for a number.”

Nixon’s voice came out hard. “You’re asking me to go behind my Alpha’s back.”

“I’m asking you to help me,” I replied.

Nixon took a step back as if the request physically pushed him.

“I can’t,” he said quickly. “I can’t betray James.”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice even more.

“Do you think he’s not betraying me?”

Nixon’s gaze flared. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” I asked sharply. “Say it? Pretend it’s not happening?”

Nixon’s jaw flexed. “He’s trying to protect the pack.”

“And what am I?” I demanded, still quiet but tight. “A decoration? A sacrifice? A reminder of what he had to bury?”

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< 27 The Healer’s Door: The Truth in My Blood

Nixon didn’t answer.

I pressed on, fast, not letting the silence swallow my courage.

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“There’s nothing left for me here,” I said. “I’m not blind. I’m not stupid. And I’m done being in

the way.”

Nixon’s eyes narrowed. “In the way?”

I nodded once. “I’ve accepted things as they are.”

Nixon stared at me like he didn’t believe that.

“You’ve accepted it,” he repeated, sceptical.

“I don’t have a choice,” I said.

Nixon exhaled sharply. “That’s what James said.”

I didn’t flinch. “And look where that got him.”

Nixon’s expression tightened, anger flashing.

“Stop,” he warned.

“Help me,” I demanded quietly, stepping closer again. “Get me Maxwell’s number.”

Nixon’s mouth tightened. “You don’t understand what you’re asking.”

“I understand exactly,” I said. “I need an exit.”

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< Luna Forsaken

28 The Healer’s Door: Keep It Quiet, Keep It Safe

Arya’s POV

Nixon’s eyes scanned my face, as if looking for a crack, a lie, a plan.

“What are you going to do?” he asked.

I kept it simple. “I’ll contact Maxwell.”

“And say what?” Nixon pressed.

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“I’ll tell him I need help,” I said. “I’ll ask him if he can take me in, or find me a place to go.”

Nixon’s jaw clenched. “James will lose his mind.”

I didn’t care how it sounded. “James lost his mind the moment he let her wear my pendant.”

Nixon’s eyes flared. “Arya, Chapter Unlocked, Enjoy Reading!

“Don’t defend him to me,” I snapped softly. “Not you.”

Nixon’s shoulders tensed.

He looked away, jaw tight, like he was fighting himself.

When he spoke again, his voice was rougher. “You’re asking me to turn my back on my Alpha.”

I didn’t soften. “I’m asking you to do it for me.”

Nixon’s gaze snapped back to me.

I held it.

Then I added, low and firm, “And for my unborn baby.”

Nixon’s face hardened.

He looked past me for a moment, as if checking again that no one was watching.

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