Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

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Chapter 35

Skye

I wake to my phone glowing in the darkness.

It’s open to the text from Nicolai, timestamped from last night, like a beacon guiding me toward the path I’ve chosen. Tomorrow. Noon. The clearing where the east road meets the forest trail. Come alone.

Tomorrow is now today. He wants to meet today.

I check the time: 6:47 AM. That gives me just over five hours to figure out how to slip away unnoticed from an Alpha house where I’m apparently under surveillance.

I’m still formulating excuses when my bedroom door opens without knocking.

Jaxon.

“Get dressed,” he says without preamble. “We have a pack function at ten. The dedication ceremony for

the new housing development.”

My stomach sinks. “I wasn’t aware I was expected to attend.”

“You’re the Luna. Of course you’re expected.” His tone is clipped, impatient. “And we’re going together. The pack needs to see us united.”

United. As if standing next to each other at a ceremony erases three years of distance.

I

“I have other commitments this morning,” I try. “Perhaps I could meet you there-”

“No.” His voice hardens. “We arrive together, we leave together. I’ll expect you to be ready by nine-thirty.”

He’s gone before I can argue further, the door clicking shut with finality.

I stare at my phone, at Nicolai’s message, and type out a response with shaking hands.

I can’t meet. Too many eyes on me. But I need your help-my stepbrother Dalton is being held in the

capital without charges. Can you help him? I’ll explain everything when I can get away. Please be careful.

I hesitate, then add: I’m sorry I can’t see you yet. Thank you for coming.

I hit send before I can second-guess myself.

Then I get up and try to figure out how to survive the next few hours without falling apart.

The dedication ceremony is held at the new housing development on the eastern edge of pack territory. Twenty new homes built for young families and newly mated pairs. Under normal circumstances, I’d be proud of this-I helped coordinate the project, worked with the architects, ensured the designs met pack needs.

Today, I can barely focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

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Chapter 35

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The morning sickness has been relentless. I managed to keep down half a piece of toast and some ginger tea, but my stomach is churning ominously. And the tight dress Jaxon insisted I wear-” something formal, something that shows respect for the occasion”-is becoming uncomfortably snug around my middle.

We arrive in Jaxon’s car, and I can feel pack members watching as we walk toward the ceremony area together. Playing the perfect Alpha couple. The devoted mates.

The lie of it makes me want to scream.

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