Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Nicolai

The morning drags on but I find small moments of joy in watching Jaxon Vale chafe against my demands, knowing he can’t say no. Not if he wants my family’s support. And everyone does.

Finally, he’s forced to do the one thing he’s been avoiding as long as possible without being blatantly

offensive. Invite me to lunch.

Skye is there as I knew she would be, playing the perfect Luna. Gracious. Composed. Beautiful in a flowing emerald dress that does its best to hide the changes to her body. 1

But I can see them.

The slight swell of her belly that the empire waist can’t quite disguise. The shadows under her eyes that makeup doesn’t fully conceal. The tension in her shoulders, the careful way she moves, like she’s

protecting something precious.

It’s all I can do to keep from going to her, touching her, carrying her away from here and promising her everything will be all right. It’s a close thing but I manage to restrain myself.

When our eyes meet across the table, something passes between us.

Are you okay? my look asks.

For now, hers answers.

It’s the most we can communicate with Jaxon watching every interaction like a hawk.

The meal is torture. Small talk, superficial pleasantries. Skye speaks when spoken to, plays her role flawlessly, and I have to sit here pretending she’s just another Luna at just another diplomatic function.

When she laughs politely at something one of the council members says, my wolf growls with the need to move closer. To demand her attention, to keep all her smiles for myself.

I take a drink of water and force myself to stay exactly where I am.

After lunch, we take a stroll through the garden.

Jaxon allows it-probably because refusing would look suspicious. But he hovers nearby, and there are

pack members within earshot, tending to the roses with far more attention than the task requires.

Skye and I walk the garden paths, maintaining careful distance. But it feels like an entire conversation passes between us.

I’m here. I see you. You’re not alone. I send the thought to her, hoping she understands, feels it in my

presence

I’m okay She seems to say in return. Or maybe it’s just my imagination but it makes me feel better to

believe it

1/4

Charter of

+15 Bonus

We walk in silence for a moment, and I can feel the weight of everything we’re not saying pressing down

on both of us.

Then Jaxon appears at Skye’s elbow, his hand possessive on her lower back.

“Luna, we have pack business to attend to.”

The dismissal is clear. Pointed.

Skye’s expression doesn’t change. “Of course, Alpha.” She turns to me with perfect politeness. “Thank you for the pleasant conversation, Alpha Woolf.”

“The pleasure was mine, Luna.”

I watch them walk away-Jaxon’s hand still on her back, Skye’s spine straight and proud-and my snarls with frustrated protectiveness.

wolf

Every instinct I have is screaming to follow them. To remove his hand from her. To take her somewhere

safe.

Instead, I turn and head back toward my car.

Because she needs me to trust her. To let her do this her way.

Even if it’s killing me.

Back at the inn that night, Dimitri is waiting with an expression that tells me we’re about to have a

conversation I don’t want.

“You’re getting too close to this,” he starts before I even take off my suit coat. “Too invested.”

“She needs help-”

“She needs a friend. Maybe an ally.” Dimitri leans forward. “But what you’re feeling goes way beyond that. And you need to figure out what you’re actually offering her before this gets more complicated.”

“I’m offering her friendship. Support. That’s all.”

“Are you sure?” Dimitri’s eyes are sharp. “Or are you offering her an escape route? Another Alpha waiting in the wings? A friend wouldn’t go running off to see her because he can’t wait for her to call.”

“I know she’s not leaving Vale for me, Dimitri” I say firmly. “That’s not what this is. She’s leaving because the marriage is toxic. I’m just… insurance. Someone she can call if she needs help.”

“Such a troublemaker. Even then.” She laughs, a real laugh this time, and it’s a glorious sound.

We talk for maybe ten minutes. Memories. Shared jokes. The easy conversation of two people who’ve

known each other most of their lives.

It’s the most relaxed I’ve heard her sound in weeks.

“I should go,” she says finally. “Before he comes looking for me.”

“Skye-”

“I know You’re here. You’re close.” Her voice is soft. “Thank you for that. For being someone I can count

3/4

Chuple of

on.”

+15 Bonus

“You can always count on me.”

The call ends.

And I sit in the dark, my wolf on high alert, every protective instinct demanding I go to her right now.

But I don’t. Because she needs me to wait. To let her be strong.

Even if it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Cara Anderson

Author

Thank you for reading!

18

ប

Comments

Support

Share