Pursuing My Rejected Luna의 모든 챕터: 챕터 261 - 챕터 270

Noah I'm broken. Like, literally broken. My brain refuses to work properly and I have no fucking idea why. I’m leaning against the wall, in the middle of the hallway of all places, trying to read the message on my phone for the third time because I’m so distracted the words won’t make sense. What that distraction might be… I choose not to examine too closely. So here I am, in the last place anyone should think to look for me, when Liam appears from nowhere like some sort of apparition sent to haunt me. He has dirt on his knees and a smudge on his cheek, like all little boys should. I hide my smile behind my hand until I can manage to school my expression. He has something clutched in both hands and he’s marching down the hall with the purposeful air of a small person who has an agenda and is determined to execute it.He doesn't see me at first, too focused on whatever he's carrying—paper, I realize, folded crookedly, the edge pointing out at all angles. He's looking at the floor ah

Cassandra Liam’s always been a quiet boy. He doesn't volunteer information about difficult things. He processes things himself first, then he tells me when he's ready. If he’s ever ready. I realize that’s probably my fault, too busy with my own problems to recognize his. I've been learning a lot of things about my son I should have known earlier. But I’m more determined than ever to make up for that now. So when he climbs into bed beside me one night and says, with careful casualness, "Some of the big kids in the pack have been saying some things, Mama," I understand it's probably been happening for a while and he’s just decided it’s important enough to talk to me about it.I put down my book and give him my full attention. "Tell me, baby.”"Some of the big kids told me some things about you. At lunch. And after." he looks at his hands, avoiding my eyes. "I have some questions about it.""What did they say?" I ask calmly, trying to make him feel safe. Even though my heartbeat feels

NoahMy head is pounding and it has nothing to do with RMS. This headache is the direct result of being unable to wrap my brain around what’s going on with the woman living under my roof disguised as my ex-mate. Because, try as I might, I can’t figure out what her angle is. Liam is a good kid. And that’s despite his mother’s influence. If I’d known he was struggling with some of the kids here, I would have helped him without Cassandra asking. But she did ask.That’s what I can’t reconcile. Because that had to be uncomfortable as fuck for her and the woman I know would never do anything, even for her own son, if it meant her own discomfort. Is it possible she’s actually becoming the mother Liam deserves?"Talk to me," Cole’s voice at my office door startles the shit out of me. He pushes off the door jamb, invites himself in, and closes the door behind him. He stands with his back to it for a moment before he crosses the room and sits down."About?" I raise an eyebrow in question. He

Cassandra Reading a room is a skill I developed early in life—the ability to walk into a space and understand immediately what's happening in it before anything is said. Useful for years when I was using it to my advantage. Much more complicated now, when reading a room accurately means I have to decide what to do with what I find.So when I walk into the kitchen this morning and realize I’m not alone, I’m nearly frozen with indecision. I came for coffee. Apparently, Piper did too and, unfortunately, she’s already seen me so I can’t sneak away unnoticed. I almost turn around anyway but I don't. Leaving would be too obvious, and obvious avoidance sends its own kind of message, and it’s not a message I want to send. Hi, I’m your boyfriend’s ex-mate and seeing you with him makes me want to rip your hair out, even though I have no right to feel that way. Yeah, probably not. .I go get my coffee and pretend I belong there instead.We move around each other in the kitchen in silence for a

NoahWhat the fuck am I doing? Who even am I?I never dreamed I’d be the kind of guy who torments a woman just to watch her squirm, in a non-sexy way at least. But then again, I never thought I’d be the guy whose mate rejected him either. That kind of pain changes you. I knew she was watching me with Piper. And I knew seeing us together was painful for her, could smell it in the way her scent curdled. Just knowing should have been enough. I didn’t have to tell her I knew, taunt her with it. But it wasn’t enough so I did it anyway. Then I watched it land, saw the impact of it on her face before she could hide it from me. And I liked knowing I hurt her too.Now, though, I have to live with myself, live with being the kind of man who likes it. I've been hurting someone on purpose and finding it less satisfying than I expected but satisfying enough to be uncomfortable with it.And yet, knowing that about myself doesn’t change anything. Even knowing Cassandra isn’t the only victim in my