Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Hix reaction was immediate. His eyes drifted closed, a rumbling sound of contentment vibrating through his chớt to tilted his head slightly, pressing into my touch like a house pet seeking more attention.

The transformation was remarkable. This fearsome predator, this apex Alpha who struck terror into the hearts of letter wolves, melted under my touch like butter on a hot pan.

My fingers continued their exploration, combing through the thick fur at his neck, feeling the powerful muscles beneath. “You’re nothing like him, are you?” I whispered, my other hand moving to his side, feeling the steady thump of his heart.

He nuzzled against my palm, the gentleness of the gesture catching me off guard. There was an intimacy to this interaction that felt entirely different from any encounter I’d had with human Tristan. His wolf form displayed none of the cold calculation, none of the manipulative tactics that characterized his human side.

“Your human half would never be this gentle with me,” I murmured, scratching lightly behind his ear.

He seemed to understand my words, slowly shifting his weight off me to sit beside me, alert but relaxed, his eyes never leaving my face.

I sat up, straightening my disheveled dress, and met his gaze. “You shouldn’t be this friendly to me. Our paths have diverged. A note of sadness crept into my voice. “But it’s nice to meet you, anyway.”

The contrast was striking. This wasn’t a battle between wolves; it was the conflict between Tristan and me that caused the problems. His wolf and mine recognized each other–simple, pure connection without the complications of human emotions, past hurts, and manipulations.

I rose to my feet, brushing leaves and dirt from my dress. As I did, something shifted in the wolf’s demeanor. His eyes, which had been soft and attentive, suddenly changed–becoming sharper, more calculating. The pure connection I’d felt moments ago vanished, replaced by something murkier, more complex.

Tristan was back in control.

I stepped back immediately, my posture stiffening. Why had he allowed his wolf such freedom with me? Why hadn’t he stopped it? Did he not realize how sensitive wolves were to their mates? Or had this been deliberate–using their connection to get close to me when I would have rejected him in human form?

“Don’t follow me,” I said coldly, my voice a stark contrast to the soft tones I’d used with his wolf.

Without waiting for any response, I turned and walked quickly in the opposite direction, leaving my confused emotions

behind me.

I walked until my legs ached, pushing deeper into the forest without any clear sense of direction. The moon had shifted position overhead, casting new shadows across the forest floor that only added to my disorientation,

The reality of my situation began to sink in. The forest was vast, and I had no idea how to find my way back to the road. If I couldn’t find my bearings soon, I might be wandering until dawn.

I pulled out my phone, hoping to at least contact Serena, but the screen showed no signal bars. She must be worried sick by now. The car had been fixed, ready to take us back to the hotel, and I’d vanished into the forest chasing shadows.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” I muttered angrily to myself. “Why did I ever leave the road?”

1/3

Chapter 129

My ankle throbbed slightly from a small scratch I’d gotten earlier, adding discomfort to my growing anxiety, 1)% which had seemed magical in the moonlight, now felt oppressive and endless.

The snap of a twig behind me made me whirl around, heart leaping into my throat.

Tristan stood there in human form, wearing only a pair of black jeans, his chest bare and muscled in the filtered moonlight. His hair was slightly disheveled, suggesting he’d recently shifted and dressed in haste.

I forced my eyes away from his exposed torso, annoyed at the involuntary flutter in my y stomach. After what I’d just experienced with his wolf, facing him in human form felt strangely intimate and uncomfortable.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded.

His eyes, back to their usual steel–blue, regarded me coolly. “I was about to ask you the same question.”

Heat flooded my cheeks as I remembered running my fingers through his wolf’s fur, the gentle way he’d responded to my touch. I pushed the memory aside, refusing to acknowledge it.

Without answering, I turned and started walking again, determined to find my own way out.

“You’re lost, aren’t you?” His voice followed me.

I spun around, deliberately changing the subject. “I’ve never met anyone as cruel as you, Tristan Wolfbane. You planted that fake news story, didn’t you?”

A hint of satisfaction flickered across his features. “You haven’t answered my question. But you’re right, I did. Don’t you want to know why?”

I stopped, turning to face him fully, my expression cold. “To humiliate me?”

“To show your brother I’m not afraid of him.”

My lips parted in shock. “What?”

“I hear he calls all the shots in your pack.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “He should know not everything will go according to his plans.”

I stared at him, bewildered by this apparent nonsense. What did Alaric have to do with anything?

“Get away from me,” I snapped, turning to walk in another direction.

“I know every path in this forest,” he called after me.

“Why? Moonlighting as a forest ranger?” I shot back sarcastically.

“Think about it. You won’t find your way out of these woods without help.” His voice turned smug. “Accepting mv assistance won’t kill you.”