Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

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Chapter 82

Nicolai

I’m reviewing shipping manifests in my office when my Beta strolls in. Dimitri doesn’t knock. Just walks in and closes the door behind him with an expression I can’t quite read.

“She’s gone,” he says without explanation. Gone? What does he mean gone?

I look up sharply. “What?”

“The ex-Mrs. Vale left Ironwood Pack this morning. Moved back to Greenwood River territory with her

father.”

The relief that hits me at that news is all-consuming. Skye is free. Safe. Away from Vale. Everything I

wanted for her.

So why does my chest feel tight?

“When?” I ask.

“A few hours ago. Her father and her aunt collected her. Man, that relationship is weird as shit.” He digresses, shaking his head.

“Dimitri!” I growl, anxious to hear the rest.

“Fuck! Sorry, Nic.” He rubs the back of his neck, looking sheepish. If he were anyone else, such familiarity or loss of focus might cost him a body part, or his life. But Dimitri knows he’s safe with me.” Uh, anyway, the council granted the move after Vale announced their divorce publicly three days ago.”

I set down the papers I was reviewing, no longer able to focus on shipping routes and tariff agreements. Skye left Ironwood Pack. She’s really, truly free.

The urge to call her is overwhelming. To check on her. To make sure she’s okay. To insert myself into her new life and make sure no one hurts her again.

I reach for my phone before I can stop myself.

“Don’t do it.” Dimitri’s voice cuts through the impulse.

I snarl at him. “I just want to make sure she’s-”

“She just got out of one controlling situation. Don’t crowd her. Give her space to breathe.” He urges, unphased by my mood.

I know he’s right. But knowing and accepting are two very different things.

I stand, needing to move, and start pacing the length of my office.

“You’re going to wear a hole in the floor,” Dimitri rolls his eyes at me.

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“I just need to know she’s okay.”

“She’s fine. She’s with her father. With Diana. She’s safe.”

“But is she happy? Is she settling in well? Does she need anything?” I voice all the thoughts plaguing me.

Dimitri watches me pace with the patience of someone who’s known me for fifteen years and has seen me in far worse states.

“You can’t fix everything for her, Nic. She needs to do this herself.”

“I know that.” I answer a little too quickly.

“Do you?” He chuckles like my anxiety is for his own personal entertainment.

I stop pacing, turning to face him with a scowl on my face.

Nothing that would bring me directly to Skye like I did when she still lived in Ironwood, with Vale. But close enough. Close enough that if she needed me, I could be there without making excuses for why I’m still nearby.

Of course, Dimitri sees through it immediately. And he doesn’t hesitate to give me grief for it.

“You’re pathetic,” he says as we drive back from yet another unnecessary border inspection.

“I’m being thorough.” I argue.

“You’re being obsessed is what you’re being. Pretending otherwise is just lying to yourself.”

“I’m ensuring our interests in the region are protected. That’s my job, isn’t it?”

“Our interests. Is that what we’re calling her now?” Dimitri scoffs. “And for the record, no it’s not your job. Your job is to sit in your penthouse, lording it over your minions and looking intimidating. Protecting your family’s interests is my job.”

I don’t dignify that with a response.

“Nic, you need to either reach out to her, have a serious conversation about what you both want, or let this go. This halfway stalking from a distance-”

“I’m not stalking-”

“-isn’t healthy for either of you.” He ignores my protests.

Maybe he’s right. Probably he’s right.

But I can’t seem to stop.

Cara Anderson

Author

Thank you for reading!

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