Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 45

Summary for Chapter 45: Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson

Pursuing My Rejected Luna novel Skye Chapter 45

Chapter 45

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Chapter 45

Skye

The errand last night was the first step.

Opening a private bank account at a branch two towns over, where no one knows me as Luna of the Ironwood Pack. Where I’m just Skye Winters-I used my maiden name-a woman with a modest deposit and a request for a safety deposit box.

The bank manager didn’t ask questions. Just processed the paperwork, handed me the key, and wished me a pleasant evening.

Freedom, I’m learning, starts with small, careful steps. Like quietly removing items I’ll need when I leave. My mother’s jewelry, important documents, cash. It’s not much, but I’m slowly inching closer to freedom.

I’m fourteen weeks pregnant now and my body is changing in ways that are harder to hide. The flowing dresses help but it only works if people aren’t looking closely. So the last thing I need is visitors.

Which must be why Diana shows up at my door.

Someone must have let her in because I find her pacing my office, her expression a mixture of joy and gratitude.

Before I can say anything, she’s hugging me. “Skye! I had to come thank you in person. For Dalton.”

I close the door behind us. “You didn’t have to drive all this way-”

“Yes, I did.” She pulls back, her eyes bright with tears. “I still don’t know how you did it. He won’t tell me the details, just that someone very powerful intervened on his behalf. But he’s home and safe and that’s because of you.”

“I’m glad he’s okay.”

“It’s more than okay. It’s a miracle.” Diana settles into the chair across from my desk. “I owe you everything, Skye. Anything you need, you just have to ask.”

I take a breath. This is it. The moment I’ve been waiting for.

“Actually, Diana, there’s something I need from you. The favor I mentioned.”

Her expression becomes serious. “Anything.”

Deliberately lowering my voice, I whisper, “I need you to convince my father to support my divorce from Jaxon. I need his public backing, his pack’s alliance. Without it, I’ll be cast out with nowhere to go. But

with it…”

Diana’s eyes widen. “You’re really doing this.”

“Yes I meet her gaze steadily. “But I need to know you’ll help me when the time comes. That you’ll work on him, prepare him. Make him understand that supporting me is the right thing to do.”

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Diana doesn’t hesitate. “I’ll do it. It won’t be easy-your father is proud, traditional. He won’t like the scandal. But I’ll make him see reason.”

“I’m counting on it. Thank you.”

“When?” Diana leans forward. “When are you planning to-”

The door opens without warning.

Jaxon stands in the doorway, his expression carefully controlled but his eyes blazing with something I can’t quite read.

“Diana.” His voice is too pleasant. “What a surprise. I didn’t know we were expecting you.”

He definitely heard something. But how much?

Diana recovers quickly, standing with a bright smile. “Jaxon. I hope you don’t mind me dropping by unannounced. I came to thank Skye for her help with Dalton’s situation. He was released-did she tell you?”

Jaxon’s eyes cut to me. “No. She didn’t mention it.”

“It was a bureaucratic error, apparently,” Diana continues smoothly. “But Skye was instrumental in bringing it to the right people’s attention.”

“Was she.” Jaxon’s voice is flat, dangerous. “How exactly did you manage that, Skye?”

The accusation hangs in the air.

I keep my voice steady. “I have connections of my own. As Diana said, I brought it to the right people’s

attention.”

“What people?”

“Does it matter? Dalton is free. That’s what’s important.”

Jaxon looks between us, clearly unsatisfied. I can see him calculating, trying to figure out what he missed, what we were discussing before he interrupted.

“I’d like to speak with my mate alone, Diana.” It’s not a request.

Diana glances at me. I nod slightly.

“Of course.” She gathers her purse. “I should get back anyway. Long drive.” She squeezes my hand briefly on her way out. “Thank you again, Skye. For everything.”

Then she’s gone, and I’m alone with my fuming mate.

“What people, Skye?” His voice is too calm. “Who did you go to that had enough power to free a prisoner from the Lycan King’s personal detention?”

I consider lying But I’m so tired of lying

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Diana doesn’t hesitate. T’ll do it. It won’t be easy-your father is proud, traditional. He won’t like the

scandal. But I’ll make him see reason.”

“I’m counting on it. Thank you.

“When?” Diana leans forward. “When are you planning to-

The door opens without warning.

Jaxon stands in the doorway, his expression carefully controlled but his eyes blazing with something I

can’t quite read.

“Diana.” His voice is too pleasant. “What a surprise. I didn’t know we were expecting you.”

He definitely heard something. But how much?

Diana recovers quickly, standing with a bright smile. “Jaxon. I hope you don’t mind me dropping by unannounced. I came to thank Skye for her help with Dalton’s situation. He was released-did she tell

you?”

Jaxon’s eyes cut to me. “No. She didn’t mention it.”

“It was a bureaucratic error, apparently,” Diana continues smoothly. “But Skye was instrumental in bringing it to the right people’s attention.”

“Was she.” Jaxon’s voice is flat, dangerous. “How exactly did you manage that, Skye?”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means the mate bond doesn’t give you ownership of me, Jaxon. It doesn’t mean I need your

permission to help my family or maintain friendships or make my own decisions.”

“Friendships Jaxon’s laugh is harsh. “Is that what you call it? Because it looks to me like you’re building

a relationship with another Alpha behind my back.”

“I asked for help freeing my stepbrother from prison. That’s it.”

“That’s it?” Jaxon moves closer, and I force myself not to step back. “Then why do I get the feeling

there’s more you’re not telling me? What else have you asked him for, Skye?”

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I meet his eyes steadily. “Nothing that concerns you.”

“Everything about you concerns me. You’re my mate.”

“No, Jaxon.” I keep my voice calm, even as my heart pounds. “I’m your obligation. You’ve made that very

clear.”

For a moment, he just stares at me. Then: “What did Diana mean when she said she owed you? What favor were you talking about?”

So he did hear part of our conversation.

“That’s between Diana and me.”

“Like hell it is-”

“I’m done with this conversation.” I move toward the door.

Jaxon blocks my path. “We’re not finished.”

“Yes, we are.”

I step around him, and for once, he doesn’t try to physically stop me.

I walk out of my own office, leaving him standing there, and for the first time, I don’t look back to see if he’s following.

In the hallway, I press a hand to my stomach, feeling the slight flutter of movement that’s become more frequent over the past few days.

The baby is getting stronger.

And so am I.

Whatever Jaxon heard, whatever he suspects, I’m not stopping now.

I’m too close to freedom to turn back.

Cara Anderson

Author

Thank you for reading!

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