Pursuing My Rejected Luna by Cara Anderson novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Nicolai

I walk Jaxon to the door and hand him off to Mikhail so I can stay with Skye. After having Jaxon in my territory, my wolf is practically crawling out of my skin with the need to touch her, scent her, make sure she smells like me and not him.

But I need to make absolutely certain Jaxon leaves without causing problems so I have to make sure my Beta is there to escort him through security, return his phone, and see him to his car.

Only then do I allow myself to go back inside. To find Skye. I guide her out onto the terrace and settle her in one of the comfortable chairs overlooking the gardens.

The late afternoon sun casts golden light across her face, but I can see the exhaustion in the set of her shoulders. I settle into the chair beside her, maintaining careful distance.

“How was it?” I ask.

Skye sighs, one hand absently rubbing circles on her belly.

“Exhausting.” She admits, as if I can’t see it written all over her.

“He upset you.” It’s an effort not to snarl the words.

“Not upset, exactly. Just… tired.” She turns to look at me. “It’s not so much what he says, but the way he says it. Like he’s constantly trying to restrain himself from asking if there’s any chance for us to try again.

My jaw tightens involuntarily and I force myself to keep my voice neutral. “And what would you say if he were to ask?”

“That I’m not ready to think about that. That I need to focus on the baby and staying safe.” She presses her hand more firmly to her belly. “Which is true. I can’t… I can’t process feelings for Jaxon when I’m still healing from what he did.”

Good. The selfish part of me is glad she’s not considering reconciliation with Vale. The better part of me knows she needs time to heal regardless of who she ends up with.

“You don’t have to see him if you don’t want to,” I say carefully. “We can arrange other ways for him to be involved-video calls, updates through lawyers, whatever makes you comfortable.”

“No.” Skye’s voice is firm. “He’s the baby’s father. Benji deserves to know him, even if Jaxon was a terrible husband.” 1

I go still. “Benji?”

Skye smiles softly, her hand moving in gentle circles on her belly like she’s constantly reminding the baby she’s there.

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Chapter 98

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“Benjamin. Benji for short. I decided last week.” She pauses. “Assuming it’s a boy, of course. But I think

he is.”

“Benjamin,” I repeat, testing the name. It fits. Strong. Classic. Perfect for Skye’s son. “It’s perfect.”

Her smile widens slightly. “You think so?”

“I do.” I agree but I have to ask, “Does Vale know?”

“Not yet. Maybe I’ll tell him at the next visit. I’m not sure I’m ready to hear his opinion.” Skye looks at me, and there’s something in her eyes I can’t quite read. “But I wanted you to know. Since you’re… since you’ve been here for all of this, for me.”

The implication hits me hard. That I matter. That I’m important to her. That she wanted to share this moment with me before anyone else.

My heart does something complicated. Not quite breaking. Not quite whole. Just… full in a way I’ve never experienced before. Not even when we were younger and I thought myself head over heels for her.

“Thank you,” I say quietly. “For sharing that with me.”

“Thank you for being here.”

I sit with Skye while we watch the sun set over the estate grounds. The gardens are beautiful this time of day-flowers closing for the night, birds settling in the trees. Peaceful.

“But I also need you to know that I’m not doing this because I expect anything in return. I’m doing this because I want to. Because the thought of you in danger makes me want to burn down everything between you and safety.”

The intensity in my voice surprises us both. Skye stands too, moving closer. Too close.

“And after?” she asks quietly. “When I’m not pregnant? When my heart is healed and I’m ready to move

forward?”

My control is fraying. She’s close enough that I can smell her scent-vanilla and something uniquely Skye. Close enough to see the pulse point in her throat. Close enough to reach out and touch.

“When you’re sure. Really, truly sure, then I’m all yours Moonbeam.” I say a little too enthusiastically. “But right now, you need to rest. And I need to make sure you’re safe.”

I lean in to kiss her forehead then force myself to step back before I sweep her into my arms and carry

her to my bed.

“Goodnight, Skye.”

Cara Anderson

Author

Thank you for reading!

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