Rejected by My Alpha Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Raven’s POV

The stranger brushed a lock of chestnut hair from his forehead as the tablet screen flickered back to life. His fingers moved with practiced ease, pressing the hidden combination that forced a reboot when all else failed.

“Critical system update,” he explained, voice low and measured. “The freeze is a security feature.”

I watched as the device whirred back to functionality. “So you’re some kind of tech wizard?”

A faint smile touched his lips-berry-red against the shadow of stubble. “Just know my way around stubborn machines.”

Joe clapped Nox on the shoulder with familiar ease. “Oh, didn’t notice you were here. Raven, meet our resident genius, Nox. Saved my last-century ass more times than I can count.”

The name suited him. Nox. Night. Dark and quiet, but with hidden depth. Something about his careful movements, the way he seemed to measure every word before speaking, sent an unexpected pang through my chest.

Somehow, he reminded me of Mom.

The memory hit without warning-her sea-blue eyes crinkling with laughter, warm hands smoothing my hair after nightmares. My empathy had been her final gift, seared into my DNA by her witch’s blood and gentle spirit. A curse most days, but the last tangible piece of her I had left.

“You alright?”

Nox’s question pulled me back. His storm-gray eyes held genuine concern, and for a wild moment, I considered telling the truth. Instead, I forced a shrug. “Just mentally rearranging my schedule.”

His frown deepened, lips parting as if to say more before thinking better of it. “I’ll… get this back to Joe.” The words came out stilted, like he’d

censored himself.

When his gaze dropped, the loss struck harder than it should have. I muttered my thanks and turned away, the familiar weight of isolation settling back over my shoulders.

The sounds of Off the Rail welcomed me like an old friend-the rhythmic thud of gloves against bags, the grunts of exertion, the sharp scent of sweat and leather. I paused just inside the doorway, letting the atmosphere wash over me. This was what I needed: the burn of muscles pushed to their limits, the certainty that my body would obey when survival demanded it.

And maybe, if I trained hard enough, I could outrun the dangerous pull these wolves exerted-each appealing to different, equally treacherous parts of my fractured soul.

The voice cut through the club’s rhythmic noise like a blade. “Luv.”

My eyes snapped open to find Dexter leaning against a heavy bag, his torso on full display-a living tapestry of ink and taut muscle. The compass on his forearm pointed north beneath the word “Truth,” while a pack of five wolves prowled across his ribs. Every inch of skin told a story I suddenly ached to read.

“Enjoying the view?” His smirk was all wicked amusement.

I jerked m

1, heat flooding my cheeks. “Just horrified by your footwork. That pivot’s sloppy as hell.”

to adjust his stance,” Kael’s deeper voice interjected as he approached. Unlike Dexter, he’d mercifully thrown on a shirt, Cotton did little to hide the powerful frame beneath. His ice-blue eyes locked onto me with unsettling intensity. “You shouldn’t

Rejected by My Alpha. Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna?

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I crossed my arms. “Last I checked, this wasn’t a members-only club. And even if it is, oh, guess what, I’m a member. Just ask Marty.”

Dexter’s laugh rang out as he sauntered over. “She’s got you there, K.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “You took a headshot hard enough to rattle teeth. Medical protocol says-”

“-says I know my own body,” I interrupted. The lie came easily: “Rod’s punch wasn’t as bad as it looked.”

A low growl vibrated in Kael’s chest-subsonic, meant for shifter ears only. My wolf perked up instantly, drawn to the dominant energy like a moth to flame. I clenched my fists, fighting the instinct to bare my throat. Years of training kept me upright, but barely.

Kael exhaled sharply through his nose, the picture of restrained frustration. “I saw the hit. That wasn’t sparring force.”

“Then check my pupils if you’re so worried,” I challenged, stepping closer. “But I’m training today.”

Dexter wagged his eyebrows between us. “I volunteer as punching bag. Feel free to work out your… frustrations.”

Kael cuffed him upside the head without looking. “Act your age, not your shoe size.”

The playful dynamic tugged at something in my chest-an echo of camaraderie I hadn’t felt in years. Turning away before they noticed my

expression, I headed for the equipment wall.

The treadmill hummed to life beneath me, my jog starting slow but steady. With each stride, the tension bled from my muscles, replaced by

familiar burn. This was what I needed-the certainty of my body’s strength, the sweat that proved I could still outrun my past.

Even if every wolf in this room made me want to stop running.

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Rejected by My Alpha, Now He Replaced Me with a Copycat Luna?

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