Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 100

chapter 100

Skye

I’ve been at Woolf estate for weeks now, and I’m starting to feel like I actually belong here. The terrifying part is I’m not sure I want to leave.

My days have settled into a comfortable rhythm, the kind I always tried to create for myself at Ironwood but never quite managed. My morning walks through the magical gardens make me feel like I stumbled into a fairytale. The roses, the pink ones I love, are in full bloom, the air sweet with their scent. Of course, there is always a guard nearby, but discreetly positioned so I don’t feel watched.

I’m six months pregnant now, and the walks help with the restlessness that comes with carrying a very active baby.

“He’s kicking again,” I tell Mikhail, the guard who usually accompanies me. He’s warmed up over the weeks, treating me more like pack than a guest.

“Strong like his father,” Mikhail says. I don’t correct him. Don’t ask which father he might mean.

After my walks, I usually find Dimitri in the estate’s administrative office. At first, I just observed. Watched him manage correspondence, coordinate with other packs, handle the endless details of running a territory this size.

Then one day he asked: “Can you read through these trade proposals? Give me your thoughts?”

Now it’s routine. I review correspondence, organize files for territory negotiations, offer opinions on pack politics that he and Nicolai genuinely seem to listen to, never once telling me it’s none of my concern. It makes me feel useful. Valued. Not like a burden under protection, but like someone with something to

contribute.

This morning, Dimitri slides a file across the desk to me.

“Trade dispute between Alpha Morrison’s Pack and Alpha Collin’s Pack. Both claim rights to a section of disputed territory. What’s your take?”

I read through the documents carefully. Property records. Historical claims. Current usage patterns.

“Alpha Morrison’s Pack has the older claim,” I say finally. “But Alpha Collin’s Pack has been actively using the land for the past decade. Morrison’s Pack abandoned it until recently when property values

increased.”

“So?” He pushes me for more than just the obvious facts.

“So Morrison’s Pack has a legal claim, but Collin’s Pack has a moral one. I’m not sure how much the latter matters to the Woolf family, but…” I raise an eyebrow in question but he just nods for me to proceed, “If I were mediating, I’d suggest Morrison retains ownership but leases usage rights to Collin’s Pack at favorable terms. Both get what they actually want-Morrison gets revenue, Collin gets continued

access.”

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Dimitri grins. “That’s exactly what Nicolai proposed yesterday. You two think alike.”

“He’s already solved this?” I ask, wondering why he bothered asking me.

“He wanted your opinion anyway. Said you have a good political mind.” Dimitri says it casually, like it’s obvious. “He values your insight.”

The warmth that spreads through my chest is dangerous. But I let myself feel it anyway.

“And for the record, morals do matter to us… most of the time.” He adds laughingly as he walks away.

By the time I finish the rest of the work I’m exhausted and notice my ankles have started to swell. I make myself some tea and head for the library, hoping to relax with my feet up and a good book in hand. It doesn’t hurt that Nicolai’s office is nearby and something about knowing he’s close makes me feel

settled.

I’ve just managed to get comfortable, a small feat these days, when raised voices draw my attention. They’re coming from Nicolai’s office down the hall, his door partially open. I shouldn’t eavesdrop but I can’t help catching fragments of conversation.

“You will get the shipment here on time or we won’t be doing business together again. How is not my problem. But trust me, you don’t want to find out what happens if you’re late!” Nicolai’s voice. Hard. Commanding.

“-we handle our own enforcement-” A voice I don’t recognize

“-Woolf family doesn’t negotiate on this-” Nicolai again, practically growling now.

In our world-the world of pack politics and territorial disputes and wolves who respect strength over justice-sometimes protection requires darkness.

“Does it bother you?” Nicolai asks carefully. “What I do?”

“No,” I say honestly. “It makes sense. You can’t protect your people by playing by rules your enemies ignore.”

Something shifts in his expression. Relief, maybe. Or respect.

“You understand.” His tone is, not quite surprised but… awed maybe?

“I’m starting to.” I say honestly.

Because the truth is, I do understand. Even the weakest of wolves has power simply by virtue of what we are. So when the strongest of us decides to exploit that power over others, sometimes operating outside the law is the only way to protect the people you’re responsible for, the only way to stay afloat in a storm

of chaos.

The question is…

Do I want a life in the eye of that storm?

Cara Anderson

Author

Thank you for reading!

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