Chapter 6

Julia's POV

The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"Yes, he is—was—my fated mate. But he rejected me."

My voice sounded strange even to my own ears—too fast, almost desperate to explain. My heart hammered against my ribs as I glanced between Nathan's furious face and Matthew's unreadable expression. Why did I feel this overwhelming compulsion to clarify things to Matthew? I barely knew him.

Kaia, however, seemed to have her own ideas. After months of silence following the rejection, she was suddenly alert and watchful, her awareness focused entirely on Matthew Collins.

Nathan's eyes narrowed dangerously. "This is a private matter between pack members," he said, his tone clipped. "It doesn't concern you."

Matthew nodded thoughtfully, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Nathan's barely contained rage. He turned to Nathan. "You said you're her Alpha?"

"That's right, she belongs to Star Shadow pack." Nathan confirmed with a smug certainty that made my skin crawl. He straightened his shoulders, trying to match Matthew's height and presence but falling noticeably short.

Matthew's expression shifted to something resembling polite curiosity. "Interesting. Because to my knowledge, Star Shadow pack's Alpha has been in position for over twenty years now, and you don't look a day over twenty yourself."

I couldn't help the small snort that escaped me, earning a venomous glare from Nathan.

"That's my father," Nathan snapped, color rising in his cheeks. "I'm the Alpha heir."

"Ah," Matthew said with exaggerated understanding. "An impatient Alpha-to-be. Tell me, are you also a student at this university?" His tone remained conversational, but there was steel underneath.

Nathan's face flushed deeper. "That's none of your business."

I shook my head slightly. "He's not a student here."

A small crowd of curious students had begun to gather at the end of the hallway, whispering and pointing at the confrontation. I noticed Amber among them, her eyes wide with concern.

Matthew's demeanor shifted, becoming more serious. "The young woman you're intimidating is an alumna of my institution," he said, his voice dropping to a register that carried authority without volume. "I don't appreciate finding her cornered in a hallway by someone who isn't even affiliated with this university."

I felt a wave of unexpected relief wash over me. Nobody had stood up for me against Nathan before—not my father, not my siblings, not anyone in the pack. The novelty of it left me momentarily speechless.

"I can have campus security remove you," Matthew continued, "unless you have a compelling reason to be here harassing students."

Nathan looked ready to lunge at Matthew, his hands curling into fists. I took an instinctive step back, knowing his volatile temper. But something in Matthew's stance—subtle but unmistakable—made Nathan hesitate.

Matthew hadn't moved, hadn't changed his relaxed posture, but something in the air around him shifted. It wasn't an overt display of Alpha power—nothing that would alert the human students watching—but it was enough to make Nathan reconsider.

"You don't know who you're dealing with," Nathan hissed, low enough that only Matthew and I could hear.

"Actually," Matthew replied with a thin smile, "I believe I do. In fact, I'm quite well acquainted with your father. We serve on several regional committees together." He paused meaningfully. "I wonder what he'd think about his son harassing a rejected mate? That's not exactly the behavior expected of a future Alpha, is it?"

Nathan went pale. Rejection of a fated mate was rare but accepted in some circumstances. But continuing to harass a rejected mate? That could be seen as defiance of the Moon Godness' will—a serious offense that could jeopardize his future leadership.

"You wouldn't," Nathan whispered, his voice a mixture of anger and fear.

"I would," Matthew replied simply. "Now, I believe you owe this young woman an apology, along with a promise that you won't be returning to this campus to bother her for the duration of her four-year program."

Nathan looked like he was about to argue, his right hand twitching as though he wanted to strike out. I recognized the gesture—it was what he did right before losing control.

Matthew must have noticed too, because his next words carried a quiet threat. "You really don't want to try that with me."

The power radiating from Matthew made me step back again. My wolf responded instinctively to the presence of a strong Alpha, alert but not afraid. Nathan, however, visibly wilted under that invisible pressure.

"Apologize," Matthew insisted. "Now."

Nathan's face contorted with humiliation. He turned to me, his eyes burning with hatred. "I'm sorry for disturbing you," he said, each word dripping with insincerity.

"And?" Matthew prompted.

Nathan's jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might crack. "And I won't come to campus again."

Matthew nodded once. "Good. I'll walk you to your car to make sure you find your way out."

"That won't be necessary," Nathan snarled.

"I insist," Matthew replied, his tone making it clear this wasn't a suggestion.

Before Matthew could lead him away, Nathan caught my gaze. His eyes locked with mine, and I felt the familiar but long-dormant sensation of a mindlink opening between us.

Don't forget our arrangement, Julia. When you graduate, you're coming back. This changes nothing.

The venom in his mental voice made me shiver. Even rejected, we still retained enough of a connection for mindlinks at close range—another cruel reminder of what should have been.

Nathan shot Matthew one final glare before turning and storming away. Matthew followed at a measured pace, his posture relaxed but watchful.

I leaned against the wall, suddenly aware of how badly my legs were shaking. The crowd of students dispersed, disappointment evident on their faces now that the drama appeared to be over.

Amber rushed to my side. "What the hell was that?" she demanded, eyes wide with excitement and concern. "Who was that guy? And why was Mr. Collins defending you like some knight in shining armor?"

I couldn't answer immediately. My mind was still reeling from what had just happened. Someone had actually stood up to Nathan—had made him back down and apologize, however insincere it might have been.

"That was... complicated," I finally managed.

"That was hot is what it was," Amber whispered, glancing down the hallway where Matthew had disappeared. "The way Mr. Collins just shut that jerk down? I've never seen anything like it."

I hadn't either, and that was what troubled me. Matthew Collins had just made an enemy of Nathan Reynolds—and Nathan wasn't someone who forgot a slight. Whatever momentary protection Matthew had offered me would eventually become another problem to solve.

But for now, for this brief moment, I allowed myself to feel something I hadn't experienced in years: the relief of being sheltered from Nathan's wrath, even if only temporarily.