Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

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Chapter 69

Skye

The summit is being held at the Silvercrest Estate-a neutral territory that hosts regional Alpha gatherings.

It’s a massive property with a main house that can accommodate twenty Alpha pairs, plus numerous. guest cottages for attending pack members.

I’ve been there before. Years ago, before I was mated. It’s beautiful. Elegant. Exactly the kind of place where appearances matter more than truth.

Perfect.

I go through my wardrobe carefully, selecting dresses that hide my growing belly while still looking elegant. Empire waists. Flowing fabrics. Nothing too tight or revealing. At sixteen weeks, I’m showing enough that careful observers might notice. But with the right clothing and strategic positioning, I can

hide it.

Now that Jaxon knows, I’m not sure why it matters so much anymore. But it still feels like something I want to keep just for me. For now.

I prepare mentally for seeing Nicolai in a public setting where we’ll have to maintain careful distance. Where every glance will be monitored. Every word dissected. For no better reason than society sees me as belonging to Jaxon and every move I make reflects upon him..

It’s going to be exhausting.

We leave tomorrow and I find myself unable to sleep. Jaxon has fallen asleep in his office-still not sharing our bed despite his courtship attempts-which is fine with me. But even after all this time, I still

feel alone.

So I make a decision. I pull out my phone and call Nicolai.

He answers on the first ring.

“Skye.” He breathes my name like a prayer and it settles something in my chest immediately.

“I shouldn’t be calling.” Why do I say that? Like contacting a friend is a mortal sin?

“But you are. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I just…” I struggle to explain. “The summit starts tomorrow. We’ll have to pretend we barely know each other and I hate it.”

“I know. Me too, moonbeam.” My heart stutters at the nickname.

He used to tease me that I was so full of light, he was surprised moonbeams didn’t shoot from my fingertips Surely he knows I’m no longer that girl. But rather than argue the point, I choose to say

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something real.

“I needed to hear your voice.” It’s his turn for his breath to catch.

“I’m happy to lend it to you any time.” He chuckles, lightening the mood. “I’ll be there for you during the summit too but I promise not to do anything to make you uncomfortable. And I’ll follow your lead. Whatever you need from me-distance, support, anything-just give me a sign and I’ll understand.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“Of course, moonbeam..”

We chat for a while longer, about nothing really, but it helps to calm my racing nerves. I end the call and sit in the dark, one hand on my stomach, wondering why I feel this need to connect with Nicolai.

After so much time apart. After not speaking for so long, he should feel like a stranger to me.

But of everyone-of all the people in my life-he’s the one who brings me comfort.

The one who sees me. Understands me. Respects me.

Everything my mate should be and isn’t.

Now they just feel like another manipulation. Another attempt to control the situation by saying what he thinks I want to hear. Or worse-they’re genuine. And it’s still too late.

I know he wants me to say his confession means something to me, that it makes a difference. But I just don’t have it in me.

“We should get ready,” I say finally, pulling my hand away. “We don’t want to be late.”

Jaxon actually looks close to tears. “Skye-”

“I heard you,” I interrupt, but try to soften my tone. “I heard what you said. But words don’t fix three years of damage, Jaxon. They’re just… words.”

I move toward the bathroom, needing distance.

“What would fix it?” he asks quietly. “What do you need from me?”

I pause in the doorway.

“I don’t know if anything can fix it,” I admit. “But I agreed to give you time. So we’ll see.”

I close the bathroom door before he can respond. And I stand there, leaning against the counter, pressing my hand to my stomach.

I’m falling in love with you.

Damn it, Jaxon! You’re three years too late.

And it doesn’t change a damn thing.

Cara Anderson Author

Thank you for reading!

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