Luna Forsaken (Arya and James) novel Chapter 28

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

“Don’t say that here,” he muttered.

“Why?” I asked. “Because someone might hear and run to Leah with it?”

Nixon’s jaw clenched harder.

I stepped closer again, lowering my voice until it was almost a hiss.

“They will harm me eventually if I remain,” I said. “They already tried once.”

Nixon’s eyes flickered. “I know.”

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“Then why are you standing here acting like this is just politics?” I demanded.

Nixon’s voice tightened. “Because it is politics.”

“And politics will kill me,” I said flatly.

Nixon stared at me.

I didn’t let him look away.

“There’s nothing James will do about it,” I said. “Not while Marcel is breathing down his

neck. Not while Leah is in his bed in everyone’s mind. Not while the pack thinks she’s their

saviour.”

Nixon’s eyes narrowed. “James would never let them kill you.”

“He already let them humiliate me,” I shot back. “He already let them poison me. He already

let her stand beside him and call herself Luna while they cheered.”

Nixon’s jaw worked.

I kept going, not letting him retreat into loyalty.

“I’m not staying here waiting for the next attempt,” I said. “I’m not giving them another

chance to hurt me. Help me, Nixon.”

Nixon’s face twisted.

“Don’t call me that,” he muttered.

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

“What should I call you?” I challenged. “Beta? Loyal dog? Blind witness?”

Nixon’s eyes flashed.

“Enough,” he growled.

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I didn’t back down. “Then stop acting like this is normal.”

Nixon stared at me, breathing hard.

For a second, I saw something in his eyes that wasn’t anger.

It was guilt.

Like he knew he was watching something wrong and doing nothing.

I stepped closer, voice quieter now, more direct.

“Please,” I said. “I’m begging you.”

Nixon’s jaw clenched. “Don’t.”

“Why?” I asked. “Because you don’t want to feel it?”

Nixon exhaled harshly. “Because if you beg, and I say no, it makes me the villain.”

I didn’t soften. “Then don’t say no.”

Nixon’s gaze snapped back to mine.

His voice dropped. “If James finds out,”

“He won’t,” I cut in. “Not from you. Not from me.”

Nixon’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t promise that.”

“I can promise I won’t announce it,” I said. “I’m not trying to shame him. I’m trying to

survive.”

Nixon’s lips parted slightly, then closed.

He looked away again.

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

I didn’t let the silence settle.

I pushed once more, fast, firm.

“Get me Alpha Maxwell’s number,” I said. “That’s all.”

Nixon’s voice came out low. “You’re serious.”

“More serious than I’ve ever been,” I answered.

Nixon rubbed a hand over his face like he was tired.

He looked up at the trees.

Then back at me.

Then down at the ground.

His shoulders were tense, like the decision was physically heavy.

He spoke quietly. “I can’t promise anything.”

I stepped in immediately, not letting that become a rejection.

“I’m not asking for promises,” I said. “I’m asking you to think.”

Nixon’s jaw tightened again.

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I added, faster, “Think about what happens if I stay. Think about what happens when

Marcel decides I’m too much of a reminder. Think about what Leah will do when she gets

bored of humiliating me and wants blood instead.”

Nixon’s gaze flickered.

I pressed. “You know she will.”

Nixon’s voice came out rough. “You don’t know what James is planning.”

“What is he planning?” I demanded, eyes narrowing. “Because he didn’t plan to stop Leah

from wearing my chain. He didn’t plan to stop her from mocking me in front of the pack. He

didn’t plan to stop Rebecca from calling me a rogue in my own hall.”

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

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Nixon’s jaw clenched. “James is under pressure.”

“And so am I,” I snapped softly. “Except I don’t have guards and titles to protect me.”

Nixon stared at me.

I held his gaze, voice steady now.

“Do it for me,” I said. “Do it for the baby.”

Nixon’s eyes tightened.

He looked like he wanted to argue.

Then like he wanted to say yes.

Then like he wanted to walk away and pretend he’d never heard me.

Before he could speak, hurried footsteps approached.

A maid rounded the corner, breathless, face tense.

Her gaze flicked to me, then to Nixon.

“Beta Nixon,” she blurted. “You’re needed at the hall.”

Nixon’s eyes flashed irritation.

“Now?” he snapped.

“Yes,” the maid said quickly. “They said immediately. There’s a list of tasks you need to

approve. The seating arrangement, the guard placements, the,”

Nixon lifted a hand, stopping her.

“I’m coming,” he said sharply.

The maid nodded, then stood awkwardly, waiting.

Nixon’s gaze returned to me.

His expression was tight, conflicted.

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

Like he wanted to finish the conversation and couldn’t.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice so the maid wouldn’t hear.

“Please,” I said again. “Think about it.”

Nixon’s jaw flexed.

He didn’t answer yes.

He didn’t answer no.

Instead, he spoke in a low voice, hard and controlled.

“You’re asking me to cross a line,” he muttered.

I met his gaze. “Then cross it.’

Nixon’s eyes narrowed. “You make it sound easy.”

“It’s not,” I said. “But neither is staying.”

Nixon stared at me, silent.

The maid shifted impatiently.

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Nixon exhaled sharply, theh finally spoke, voice low enough that it barely carried.

“I’ll… think,” he said.

It wasn’t a promise.

But it wasn’t a refusal either.

My chest tightened.

I nodded once. “That’s all I need.”

Nixon’s gaze held mine for a beat longer, like he was memorising my face.

Then he stepped back.

He turned toward the maid.

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

“Lead,” he ordered.

The maid hurried off.

Nixon took one step after her, then paused.

He looked over his shoulder at me.

His voice came out clipped. “Go back to Lesley.”

I didn’t argue.

I simply nodded.

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Nixon turned and walked away, his stride brisk, his shoulders still tense like the weight

hadn’t lifted at all.

I stood where he left me, watching him disappear down the path toward the hall.

When he was out of sight, I let out a slow breath.

Not relief.

Not peace.

Just a breath to keep me steady.

Because I couldn’t afford to fall apart here.

Not where anyone could see.

I turned and started walking back toward the healer’s hut, keeping my pace even, my posture calm, my face blank.

The pack moved around me like a current that didn’t include me.

Someone brushed my shoulder and didn’t apologise.

Someone laughed nearby and stopped when I got close.

Someone whispered, and I caught the word “former” before I passed.

I didn’t react.

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

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I kept walking.

Because all I needed now was one thing.

One number.

Once I had Maxwell’s number, I would call him.

And if he gave me a way out, if he gave me somewhere safe to go, I would take it.

Even if it tore the last thread holding me to this place.

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