Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103

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Jaxon

I should keep my mouth shut. I know I should keep my mouth shut. But the jealousy I’m feeling has been building since I arrived at the gate to Woolf’s estate, since the nursery comment, since watching Nicolai prepare her tea from memory.

Before I can lose it completely, the conversation shifts to the security situation-Nicolai mentions that his team has made significant progress on the investigation into Skye’s attack.

“I expect the threat to be effectively neutralized very soon,” he says. “Skye will be safe the moment I receive the word it’s done.”

And that’s the final straw. Something in me snaps.

“So she doesn’t need to be here anymore.” I snarl angrily. “She can come back to Ironwood where she belongs.”

Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner that they found the attacker? Why is Skye still here if she’s no longer in danger? I’m so twisted up in those thoughts, it takes me a minute to realize the room has gone quiet. Skye’s expression is shuttered, that open warmth closing off like a door slamming.

“I don’t belong at Ironwood, Jaxon.” she says quietly. “I never did.”

“You’re the mother of my child-”

“Which doesn’t give you ownership of me.” Her voice is cold in a way I recognize from the worst of our marriage.” I’m staying here because I choose to. Not because I have to.”

“Choose to.” The jealousy is eating me alive. “Or because Woolf is-”

“That’s enough.” Nicolai’s voice is quiet. Deadly.

He doesn’t raise it. He doesn’t need to. He stands slowly, and the contained fury in his posture makes even my Alpha instincts take notice.

“Skye, why don’t you go rest? I’ll see Alpha Vale out.” He speaks to her gently but it’s clearly not a suggestion.

Skye stands without argument. She doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t even say goodbye. She just walks out of the room, one hand protective on her belly like she’s shielding it from me, and the door closes softly behind her.

Nicolai waits until her footsteps fade down the hallway. Then he turns to me and the polite host facade is completely gone.

“I need you to understand something,” he says, his voice still quiet but edged with steel. “Skye still needs protection until we’re sure we’ve dealt with everyone involved in her attack, not just the man who touched her. After that, she’s here until she chooses not to be. She’s carrying your child, and I respect that. But if you hurt her- emotionally, verbally, in any way-these visits end.”

“You can’t-”

“I absolutely can. And I will.” His eyes are hard. “The custody agreement grants you visits. It doesn’t grant you the right to upset my guest. To make her feel owned. To take out your jealousy on a woman who is six months pregnant and has already been through more than enough.”

I want to fight. Want to rage. But I’m on his territory. In his house. Under his rules. And the threat in his eyes is very, very real.

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This is a man who handles problems permanently. I’d do well to remember that. But Woolf isn’t the only one

ooking out for Skye. I have informants too, and I know more than he thinks I do.

“Understood,” I grit out.

“Good.” Nicolai moves toward the door, clearly expecting me to follow. “Because the only reason you’re allowed here at all is because Skye wants Benji to know his father. She’s giving you something you don’t deserve after everything you put her through. Don’t make her regret that generosity.”

“I wasn’t finished.” I start again. “I do understand the importance of not upsetting Skye. But I’m not sure you’re practicing what you preach, Woolf. I have it on good authority that you’ve had a visitor recently. An ex-lover, if I’m not mistaken. I wonder how Skye felt about that.”

“Not that my past relationships are any of your business, Vale, but Tatiana and I are just friends, nothing more. Nor have we been for some time. She’s no threat to Skye.” I can tell the response pains him, his jaw firmly clenched.

“Are you sure about that?” I taunt. “Be honest with yourself, Alpha. How does it feel to see Skye with me, even though you know I’m not a threat to you? Skye barely tolerates me.”

He doesn’t answer, just glowers back at me, but I see the truth in his eyes.

“That’s what I thought. Now consider the fact that Skye doesn’t know how you feel about this other woman. All she knows is that her last relationship ended because the man who was supposed to care for her most in the world tossed her aside for an ex-lover. Do you think she’s all that anxious to risk it happening again?”

“Fuck!” He mutters under his breath but I hear it.

“So threaten me all you want about hurting her. But just know the same threat applies to you. I’m not afraid of you, Woolf. Not when it comes to Skye.”

With that, I turn and walk away. He follows and we walk to the entrance in silence where Mikhail is already waiting with my phone.

Noah sighs. “Jax-”

“I know.” I turn to look at him. “I know. I haven’t changed. Not really. Not where it counts. The moment things don’t go my way, I lash out. I try to control.”

“So change.” He offers, like it’s just that simple.

“How? How do you undo years of being exactly the wrong person?” I really wish someone would tell me so I could change for good and be done with it.

Noah is quiet for a long moment, really thinking about his answer.

“You start by accepting that she might not come back. That maybe the best thing you can do for her is be the father Benji needs and leave everything else alone.” He glances at me. “Can you do that? Can you let her have whatever she’s building there without making it harder?”

I stare at Skye’s message again. I’ve made my choice. Four little words that gut me.

“I don’t know,” I admit.

“Figure it out,” Noah says. “Before you lose the right to be in Benji’s life too.”

Cara Anderson Author

Thank you for reading!

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