Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Skye

I’ve been home for 3 days and so much has changed.

Cassandra is moving to the guest house-finally-and she’s playing the martyr to perfection. I watch from my office window as pack members carry boxes across the grounds. She stands on the front steps dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, looking small and vulnerable and displaced.

It’s pathetic and I force myself to turn away from the window before I say something I’ll regret.

Jaxon has been suddenly overly attentive too.

He asks about my day. Offers to have meals together. Suggests we take a walk through the gardens “to talk.” But every gesture feels scripted, like he’s been reading some generic guidebook on how to be a ” good” husband. Shouldn’t that just come naturally between mates who actually know and love each

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Between his constant attention and trying to hide my growing belly from him, I’m exhausted.

I’m finally enjoying a relaxing moment alone when Jaxon finds me again.

“There’s a mandatory pack training session this afternoon,” he says excitedly.

My stomach drops. “I have Luna duties-”

“Which can wait.” His tone is pleasant but firm. “The pack needs to see us united. Both of us participating in pack activities.”

I set down my fork carefully. “I don’t think-”

“It’s non-negotiable, Skye. We’re going. Together.”

He’s forcing me to spend time with him. And of all things, it’s doing the one thing I don’t have the strength for right now. For reasons I can’t tell him about, not without drawing too much of his attention.

I could refuse. Make a scene. But that would raise questions I’m not ready to answer.

So I nod and try to ignore the panic clawing at my chest.

There are easily fifty pack members present when we arrive. Warriors, guards, younger wolves learning combat techniques. The visiting trainer is a grizzled older wolf from the eastern territories, brought in specifically for this session.

Jaxon positions us near the front, making sure everyone sees the Alpha and Luna participating together. Playing the united couple. Selling the lie.

When the training starts, I stay on the periphery as much as possible, avoiding anything too strenuous. Modifying exercises to make them easier when no one is looking. When pairs are called to spar, I partner with an omega half my size and go through the motions without any real effort.

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“Now,” he instructs, “the Luna will twist, drop her weight, and use the leverage to break free.”

I know the technique. I’ve done it before, many times. But it’s a move that takes a lot of force to be effective, more force than I can safely exert at the moment.

I used to be good at it before I was pregnant. But now my center of gravity has shifted. My body has become a haven for something fragile that I’m desperately trying to protect. A tiny life that’s zapping my energy and stealing my strength but I’d die for just the same.

Still, I twist like I’m supposed to. Drop my weight. Try to break his grip. But I don’t try hard enough.

The trainer holds firm-he’s supposed to, to show the resistance. “Again,” he says. “More force this time.”

I try again. Harder. My vision starts to swim.

“Good! One more time, and really commit to the movement-” He keeps giving instructions but I can’t

focus on his words.

The dizziness hits like a wave. I hear the trainer say something. Hear my name called from somewhere distant, like I’m underwater.

This time, I can’t fight it when the darkness closes in.

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