Rejected Luna's Comeback

chapter 10

"Are you sure you're okay?" Valen asked, and I tilted my head to look at him.

"Yes, I am. You kept asking me that all night — did I seem different somehow?" I asked, feigning innocence.

"No, not really. I just felt like... everything's fine," he said, and he killed the engine.

We drove the rest of the way back in silence, and once we arrived, I opened the door and stepped out. He did the same and walked over to me.

"Thank you so much for tonight. It was fun, and you're great company. Thanks for making me smile," I said sincerely, and he chuckled.

"You don't have to thank me. Tonight was memorable because of you. I hope you sleep well — I'll call you in the morning," he said, and I nodded. I stepped closer to hug him and he held me back briefly before pulling away.

"Goodnight," I said, waving. "You should go," I whispered, walking off with a smile.

"I'll watch you go inside," he called after me, and I laughed softly. I walked into the house and looked back through the door, sighing once he got into his car and drove off.

"Lola?" My name pulled me up short and my heart skipped. I turned to see Gael standing there with a glass of water, the lights off around him — everyone else had clearly gone to bed.

"Hi, Gael," I said awkwardly as his eyes swept over me.

"Welcome back. Good night?" he asked, and I nodded with a smile. "You look happy tonight, but be careful, Lola. I don't want anyone hurting you again. I'd rather not end up with a murder charge to my name," he joked, and I stepped closer, pulling him into a hug. I knew he'd said it lightly, but he meant every word. Gael would go to any length to protect me.

"I know. Your little sister's grateful," I said, laughing before heading to my room.

I sighed as I stepped inside and dropped my bag. I kicked off my heels, peeled off my dress, and stepped into the bathroom. The shower water hit my skin cold, soothing my tired body.

My eyes snapped open as it hit me, what I had actually done that night. I couldn't believe how reckless I'd been. Valen was a good man who didn't deserve that. I didn't understand why I kept losing all sense of reason whenever Hunter was near. Everything in me ached for him, and he knew exactly how to work his way past my defences.

I stepped out and wrapped a towel around myself before returning to my room. I remembered Chloe asking me to call and tell her everything about the night. I considered it — telling her everything, including what happened with Hunter — but it was late and she was probably asleep.

I pulled on my nightgown and lay down, but sleep refused to come. My mind kept circling back to the two men who had crashed into my life like wrecking balls. What was I supposed to do? Who was I supposed to walk away from? My head knew the right answer, but my heart wanted something else entirely. I knew Alpha Hunter was no good for me — he wouldn't hesitate to hurt me again — and yet I kept handing him chance after chance to do exactly that.

My thoughts spiralled until a sharp headache set in. I groaned, pressing my hand to my temple as the memory of our kiss resurfaced uninvited. He really was a good kisser, and just thinking about it sent a warm pulse low in my body. I pressed my legs together and let out a frustrated groan. I genuinely did not know what I wanted anymore.

***

I groaned at the sound of banging on my door. I wanted to sleep longer but someone clearly had other plans for me. I blinked against the sunlight pouring into the room and fumbled blindly for the curtain, yanking it shut before finally sitting up and going to answer the door.

I opened it to find my mother standing there — and behind her, none other than Haylee. I hadn't had a real conversation with her since coming back, and honestly she was the least of my concerns. I still couldn't quite wrap my head around how she had ended up with my brother instead of Chloe. If it had been Chloe, I would have been thrilled. But the mate bond worked in strange, sometimes cruel ways.

"You haven't left your room all day. It's already past two in the afternoon," my mother said, worry threading through her voice, and I gasped. I hadn't realised I had slept that long, though I supposed it made sense — I'd barely slept through the night, finally drifting off sometime around five.

"I was sleeping, Mom. I'll get ready and come down for breakfast lunch," I said. She chuckled. Haylee and I locked eyes briefly before I retreated into my room and shut the door. It was strange — almost sad — how completely my family had taken to her. If only they knew the kind of bully she had been back in high school.

I showered quickly, dressed, and checked my phone. Several missed calls from Valen. Not a single word from Hunter. For some reason that stung more than it should have, but I cleared my throat and pushed the thought away.

I was about to return Valen's call when it rang again, and I picked up with a smile. "Hey!"

"Lola, how was your night? I called a few times but you didn't pick up," he said, and I laughed.

"I overslept. Just woke up, actually — heading down for breakfast lunch now," I said, and he burst out laughing.

"Breakfast lunch? What does that even mean?" he asked, and I giggled.

"I'll explain properly next time. I have to go for now," I replied.

"Okay. Take care of yourself," he said before the call ended.

I went to the dining hall and ate quietly. Only Haylee and my mother were home, so I decided to check on Chloe and tell her everything. I called several times but she never picked up, so I decided to just drive over.

I arrived at her house fifteen minutes later and got out of the car. I knocked repeatedly with no response, so I pushed the door open — thankfully it wasn't locked. I had been nervous about telling her everything, but I needed to get it off my chest. Maybe once she talked some sense into me, I would finally stop giving Alpha Hunter the chance to weasel his way back into my life.

I searched the house and couldn't find her anywhere. I was about to give up when I heard quiet hiccupping sobs. I followed the sound and found Chloe sitting on the floor, knees pulled to her chest, crying.

Every thought of telling her about my night vanished instantly. All that mattered now was the state I'd found my friend in.