Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

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Chapter 12

Skye

The wind picks up as we stand on the side of the road, snowflakes beginning to swirl in the air. The broken-down SUV sits useless behind us, and ahead, the only working vehicle idles with barely enough room for five of us-six if you count all of Cassandra’s luggage still taking up half the back.

“We need to decide,” Cole says, glancing at the darkening sky. “That storm’s not going to wait.”

Jaxon’s jaw is tight, his Alpha instincts clearly warring with the impossible logistics. His eyes moye over our small group, calculating.

They land on Cassandra and Liam first. Then away. He’s not even considering them.

Of course he’s not.

They’re weak. They need protection. Liam’s health is fragile, and Cassandra… well, Cassandra has always needed someone to take care of her. Even when we were children, she was the one who got carried when the walk was too long, who got excused from chores when they were too hard.

Some things never change.

“One of the betas should stay,” Jaxon says finally, his tone decisive. “Cole, Everett-”

“Alpha.” Cole’s voice is respectful but firm. “Everett is my mate.”

The word hangs in the air, weighted with meaning. Everett steps closer to Cole, their shoulders touching in a

unified front.

“I’m not leaving him here in a storm,” Cole continues. “Not for anything.”

“And I won’t leave Cole,” Everett adds, his voice quieter but no less certain. “We’re bonded, Alpha. You know what that means.”

Jaxon’s expression hardens. “I’m giving you a direct order-”

“Then give it to me,” Cole interrupts, something almost desperate in his eyes. “Order me to stay. But don’t ask me to leave my mate behind. I won’t survive it.”

I watch this exchange with a strange detachment. The way they look at each other-Cole and Everett-with that absolute certainty that they belong together, that they’d rather face a storm than be separated. That’s what a mate bond is supposed to look like.

I glance at Jaxon. He won’t even meet my eyes.

“This is ridiculous,” he snaps. “Someone has to-”

“My head hurts.” Liam’s small voice cuts through the argument. “Daddy, my head really hurts.”

Everyone’s attention swings to the boy. He’s pressed against Cassandra’s legs, his small face scrunched up in pain. Real pain-I can see it in the way he’s holding himself, one hand clutched to his temple.

“Oh god.” Cassandra drops to her knees, her hands fluttering over Liam like she’s afraid to touch him. “No, no, no. Not again. Jaxon, we need to get him home. The pack doctor-he needs to see the pack doctor right now.”

“Cassie, calm down-

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hapter 12

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“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Her voice breaks, tears already streaming down her face. “You don’t understand. Last time this happened, he stopped breathing. He could have died, Jaxon. Our son could have died.”

The possessive pronoun isn’t lost on me. Our son.

Liam starts to cry, soft hiccupping sobs that make him sound even younger than four. Cassandra pulls him against her chest, rocking him while her own tears fall into his blond hair.

“Please,” she begs, looking between Cole and Everett. “Please, I know this is asking too much, but he’s just a baby. He needs help. He needs his father.”

Cole’s resolve visibly wavers. Everett’s hand finds his mate’s, squeezing tight.

And Jaxon… Jaxon looks at me.

He doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t ask. But the expectation is written clearly across his face. The demand.

Step up. Be the Luna. Sacrifice yourself for the good of the pack.

For his pride. For his lover. For his child.

I look at Cole and Everett, still holding hands like letting go would kill them. I think about the mate bond that’s supposed to connect me and Jaxon-the one that leaves me hollow and aching while he stands ten feet away, worried about someone else’s child.

I think about the life growing inside me. The secret I’m carrying alone because telling him would only trap me further in this nightmare.

“I’ll stay,” I hear myself say.

The words fall into the silence like stones.

Cassandra’s head snaps up, her tears stopping as if someone flipped a switch. “Skye, are you sure? I mean, if you’re not comfortable-”

“I’m sure.” I keep my voice steady, even though everything inside me is screaming. “You should get Liam home. He needs the pack doctor.”

“The patrolling station is only an hour up the road,” Jaxon says, and I notice he doesn’t thank me. Doesn’t acknowledge what I’m giving up. “We’ll send a car back for you as soon as we get there. Two hours, tops. You’ll be home before nightfall.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

“Cole, Everett, get them loaded up.” Jaxon is already moving, all efficiency now that the decision is made.” Cassandra, grab what you need from the luggage. We’re leaving the rest.”

Everyone mobilizes. Cassandra carefully carries Liam to the working vehicle, murmuring soothing words. Cole and Everett transfer the essential bags, their movements quick. No one looks at me.

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