Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 101

Chapter 101

༢༩

I’m in the main hall, helping Rena organize details for a reception, when a stunning she-wolf arrives at the estate. She sweeps through the entrance like she owns the place. Tall. Beautiful. Sophisticated in a way that makes me acutely aware of my pregnant belly and comfortable, entirely inelegant clothes. Some leggings and one of Nicolai’s oversized t-shirts is about all I can manage these days. But next to her, I look downright frumpy.

“Nic!” Her voice is warm, familiar.

Nicolai appears from his office, and his expression… changes. Not quite a smile, but something close.

“Tatiana. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I was in the area. Thought I’d stop by.” She moves to him, kisses his cheek with easy familiarity. “It’s been too long.”

I watch from the doorway as Tatiana touches Nicolai’s arm, leans close, laughs at something he says. The jealousy that hits me is immediate and unwelcome. Sharp. Possessive. Undeniable.

Tatiana notices me watching. Her smile sharpens.

“And who is this?” She asks in heavily accented English.

“A guest,” Nicolai says smoothly. “Luna Skye Vale. She’s under Woolf protection.”

I understood why he used my married name with those men, using my former title as a means of protection. But why is he using it with her? Does he want her to think I’m taken, that I couldn’t possibly be a rival for his affections?

“Ah.” Tatiana’s eyes assess me from head to toe, lingering on my pregnant belly with poorly concealed disdain.” How… charitable of you, Nic.”

The words sound kind. The tone is anything but.

“Tatiana Volkov,” Nicolai introduces. “Daughter of Dmitry Volkov, one of our allies.”

“Lovely to meet you,” I manage.

“I’m sure.” Tatiana turns her attention back to Nicolai, effectively dismissing me. “Nic, we should catch up. It’s been months.”

I’m not sure why seeing Nicolai interact with her bothers me so much. He’s not mine and has every right to touch whoever he wants. But something about it, about her, turns my stomach. So I retreat before I have to watch more.

Later, passing by the kitchen, I overhear Tatiana talking to Rena.

“Poor Nic, saddled with another man’s pregnant cast-off. Though I suppose he always was too kind for his own good.”

Rena’s response is cool. “Alpha Woolf makes his own choices. And Luna Vale is a guest, not a burden.”

“Of course.” Tatiana’s laugh is light. “I’m sure that’s exactly how he sees it.”

The words sting more than they should. Because isn’t that exactly what I am? Another man’s pregnant ex-mate. A complication. A responsibility Nicolai took on out of duty or kindness.

1/3

Not someone he’d choose for himself.

+15 Bohus

Dinner that evening is torture. Tatiana is there, seated next to Nicolai. She monopolizes the conversation. Reminisces about their shared history. Makes inside jokes I don’t understand. All a poorly concealed attempt to remind me I’m the interloper here.

“Remember that weekend in Prague, Nic? The hotel with the rooftop pool?” Her smile is knowing. Intimate.

Nicolai responds politely but doesn’t engage with the flirtation. “That was a long time ago, Tatiana,

“Not that long. What’s it been? Two years?” She tries again.

Nicolai doesn’t respond, just casually changes the subject in a way she can’t maneuver to her advantage.

But I notice things. Small things. The way Tatiana touches his hand when passing dishes. How she positions herself close to him, her shoulder brushing his. The familiarity between them that speaks of a past relationship. Of intimacy I’ll never have with him.

Because women like Tatiana-beautiful, sophisticated, not pregnant with another man’s child-are more his speed. I excuse myself early, claiming exhaustion.

No one argues.

“Don’t read too much into whatever you saw this morning.”

I look up sharply. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do.” Dimitri sits across from me. “And for what it’s worth? Whatever was between Nicolai and Tatiana ended a long time ago. She just hasn’t accepted it yet.”

“It’s none of my business-”

“Isn’t it?” Dimitri’s voice is gentle. “Skye, Nicolai cares about you. Really cares, devoted in a way I’ve never believed him capable of until now, not even with her. What you saw this morning was him letting Tatiana down gently. Again. Because she keeps hoping for something that’s never going to happen.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because you looked heartbroken in the garden doorway. And because Nicolai would kill me if he knew you were hurting over a misunderstanding.” Dimitri stands. “Talk to him. Ask him about Tatiana. He’ll tell you the truth.”

Then he’s gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts. And the terrifying question: Do I have the courage to ask? To admit I care enough to be jealous?

To risk finding out that maybe Nicolai’s feelings for me aren’t what I hope they are?

Cara Anderson Author

Thank you for reading!

10 15

Comments

Support

Share

3/3

Chapter 32