Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Skye

Cassandra appears out of nowhere, her hand fluttering to her chest. “Oh, there you are, sweetheart. I was looking everywhere for you.”

“Skye was talking to me,” Liam announces.

“How nice.” Cassandra’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “But we should let her rest. She’s been so tired lately.”

The dismissal is clear.

I leave them there-the three of them clustered together like a unit I’ll never be part of-and retreat to my room.

I make it to the bathroom before the tears come. Not the dramatic, sobbing kind—I’m too exhausted for that. Just silent streams down my cheeks that I can’t seem to stop.

This is what my life has become. Begging for scraps of attention from my own husband. Being monitored and distrusted when I try to connect with a child who lives in my house. Watching the man I loved-still love, pathetically-build a family with someone else while I stand on the periphery, unwanted and unnecessary. 1

The mate bond pulses in my chest, that constant reminder of what we’re supposed to be. Fated. Chosen by something greater than ourselves.

But fate didn’t account for free will. And Jaxon chose Cassandra a long time ago.

I splash water on my face and stare at my reflection. My eyes are dull, ringed with shadows that no amount of sleep seems to erase. I look like I’m disappearing, fading out of my own life.

Maybe I am.

Never have I felt so distrusted. So unwanted in my own life.

By the end of the week, I’m counting down the hours until we can leave.

I want to go home. I want to escape this resort that feels more like a prison with every passing day. Want to stop watching Jaxon fall deeper in love with the family I can never be part of.

But then, at dinner on our last night, Cassandra speaks up.

“Jaxon, I was thinking…” She trails off, looking down at her plate. “The hot springs have been so good for Liam. His breathing has improved, and the pack doctor said continuing treatment here could really help. Do you think… could we possibly stay another week?”

A myriad of emotions flit across Jaxon’s face so quickly, anyone else might miss it, the internal war he’s fighting. He knows we can’t stay, shouldn’t stay. We have too many responsibilities waiting for us at home. But he doesn’t want to disappoint her.

“No.” The word comes out before I can stop it.

Three pairs of eyes turn to me.

“What?” Jaxon’s voice is low, dangerous.

“We can’t stay.” I force myself to meet his gaze. “There are pack issues that need attention. The visiting delegation arrives in three days, and there’s the council meeting next week. We need to get back.”

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Chapter 11

+15 Bgnus

It’s not a tantrum. It’s a fact. But I can see in Jaxon’s eyes that he doesn’t care about facts right now. He cares about his son.

“I’m the Alpha! We can do whatever I say we can.” He argues, his glare so hot it could burn me to ash where I sit. ” You’re just determined to be selfish, to ruin everyone else’s enjoyment.”

“Fine,” I sigh, knowing it’s pointless to argue. “I’m sure the delegation will understand why you aren’t there to receive them.”

Cassandra’s face crumples, just slightly. “Of course. I understand. Pack business comes first.” She reaches over to squeeze Jaxon’s hand. “We can come back another time, when it’s more convenient.”‘

His brow furrows at her obvious disappointment but his angry stare never leaves me as he digests my words.

“Skye’s right.” He finally admits, the words sounding like they’re being dragged out of him. “We have responsibilities.”

Cassandra nods, her eyes glistening. “You’re right. Both of you. I’m sorry for even asking.”

She manages to look sad and understanding at the same time. It’s masterful.

And I’m cast as the villain once again.

We leave early the next morning.

The drive starts out quiet, everyone still half-asleep. Liam dozes in the back seat while Cassandra scrolls through her phone. Jaxon keeps his eyes on the road, his jaw tight.

I stare out the window and try not to think about the fact that I’ll have to return to a house I share with them. To a life where I’m the outsider in my own marriage.

Four hours into the drive, the car lurches.

Jaxon curses under his breath, guiding us to the shoulder as the engine makes a grinding sound that can’t be good. We roll to a stop, and he’s out of the car before I can ask what’s wrong.

I follow, wrapping my arms around myself against the cold wind. Cole and Everett pull up behind us in the second vehicle, already climbing out to assess the damage.

“It’s the transmission,” Everett says after a moment of inspection. “We’re not going anywhere in this.”

“How long will it take to fix it?” Jaxon demands.

“Hours. Maybe longer. We’d need to tow it to a shop.”

I look around. We’re in the middle of nowhere, mountains on one side and dense forest on the other. The sky is darkening with clouds that look heavy with snow.

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