His Rejected Mateless Luna

Nathan

I paced anxiously in the courtyard outside my father’s private rooms, pausing every few moments to glance down the tree- lined drive for any sign of Terra’s arrival. After endless torturous days spent negotiating her help from afar, today she finally returned in person to assess my father’s declining condition. The prospect of having her near again was both a blessing and exquisite torture.

From atop the stone steps, Derek observed my restless prowling with a knowing smirk. “Relax, Alpha. Wearing a trench in the pavers won’t hasten her arrival.”

I shot him an irritated scowl, even as his teasing words brought heat to my cheeks. Of course I knew hovering here obsessively would not actually summon Terra faster. But remaining cooped up inside had proven unbearable. Out here, at least the fresh autumn air soothed my f***d nerves slightly.

“I only want to be on hand when she gets here, as any good host would,” I defended. Derek’s grin only widened, clearly seeing through my feeble justification.

Before he could voice another vexing quip, the crunch of tires on gravel drew both our gazes toward the ornate front swinging open.

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The sleek town car rolled slowly up the drive, finally coming to a stop just before the steps where we waited. I straightened reflexively, heart leaping into my throat.

This was it – after so many years and trials, Terra had returned. Fate had miraculously granted us a second chance, however slim. I could not fail her now.

I watched raptly as the back door opened, anticipation near choking me. But the vision emerging in her tidy business attire was even more breathtaking than memory had preserved. Terra lifted her chin as our eyes met, radiant even in her guarded poise. For a suspended moment, neither of us moved, the space between us heavy with our tangled history..

With monumental effort I remained still, allowing Terra to dictate the terms of our reunion. I must not pressure or presume, no matter how my traitorous body ached to pull her into my arms. She was owed the chance to approach in her own time. I could be patient a little longer.

After a strained silence she seemed to brace herself and climbed the steps. I focused on keeping my breathing even and posture relaxed so as not to sp**k this skittish truce between us. Her intelligent gaze swept over me, likely cataloguing the ways time had changed us both.

Finally, just when the thick tension became unbearable, Terra extended her slim hand politely. “Nathan. Thank you for inviting me to consult.”

The cool formality was no less than I deserved after breaking her heart so carelessly years ago. Forcing aside the instinctive longing to grasp her outstretched hand between both of mine, I simply shook it, letting the delicate contact ignite my whole arm. Even this little was bliss.

“Terra. Welcome.” My voice came out gratifyingly steady despite the emotion clogging my throat. “Please, come inside. My father awaits eagerly.”

With utmost care not to accidentally brush against her and cause alarm, I ushered Terra up the grand staircase and down the corridor toward Father’s suite.

Silently I cursed myself for not having the foresight to bring her things in first so she could settle into her own guest room. But I had been too eager for this reunion to think rationally.

Outside the ornately carved doors, I hesitated, turning back to Terra. “I should perhaps warn you he has worsened considerably these past weeks. The sight may be…difficult.”

Her piercing green eyes-softened subtly, the firs alright.”

k in her professional armor. “I’ve treated many terminal patients. It’s

Her confidence steadied my own lingering unease. Of course Terra had witnessed far worse through her work as a gifted healer.

And her compassionate spirit was precisely what my father needed most now. With her near, he would be made comfortable and at peace. I only prayed she could buy him a little more precious time.

Pushing open the heavy doors, I ushered Terra inside. The lamps had been dimmed to a soothing gloam per her instructions, the sickroom’s lavish décor muted.

Still I worried the imposing environment might intimidate someone raised far from such opulence. But Terra’s gaze took in the surroundings without reaction before settling on Father’s frail form amidst the silken sheets.

At our quiet approach, he struggled to lift his wispy head. But his wan face brightened immediately recognizing our guest. “You came…” he rasped in unrestrained joy, reaching for Terra with his undiminished spirit if not strength.

Terra stepped forward immediately to grasp his outstretched hand in both of hers, gracing him with a warm, although reserved, smile. “Of course. I’m here to do everything possible for you.”

The simple empathy resonating through her words eased my chest slightly. Whatever her feelings toward me now, at least she did not resent my ailing father for my youthful mistakes.

Her natural compassion clearly remained undimmed, a balm to all it touched. Watching her interact gently with him now confirmed I had made the right choice entrusting his care to Terra.

Throughout her thorough examination, Terra maintained a soothing stream of commentary, distracting Father from any unpleasant symptoms and putting him at ease.

I looked on silently, not wishing to interrupt their rapport. Her skill and poise left me humbled and spellbound. In only a few short years she had gained such wisdom and grace, while I felt barely grown from the arrogant youth who had spurned her.

Afterwards, Terra stepped quietly into the hall, beckoning for me to follow. I glanced back to see Father already slipping into an untroubled sleep thanks to her ministrations. With more optimism than I had felt in months, I joined Terra in the corridor, searching her carefully schooled features for any reaction.

“His condition is quite advanced, as I’m sure you know,” she remarked candidly, though not without compassion. “But not beyond hope. With an aggressive treatment regimen, we may be able to prolong his time meaningfully.”

Profound relief left my legs nearly buckling under me. She had not given up on him. Fresh confidence kindled in my chest – Terra would find a way succeed where all others had failed.

Fate could not have brought us together again in this crisis merely to tear us apart anew if she could not preserve Father. I had to believe our reunion was destiny, not a vicious trick.

Grasping her hand impulsively in fervent gratitude, I blurted out, “Bless you, Terra, truly. We are in your debt.”

As soon as her slim fingers tensed reflexively at my ill-considered touch, I remembered myself and released them, shame scalding my cheeks. “Forgive me,” I muttered awkwardly to the lush carpet. “Just…thank you. For everything. Already.” Risking a glance upward, I saw Terra’s expression had softened subtly. The frost between us seemed to recede, if only for this shared moment of hope. While nothing was yet forgiven or forgotten, this first small step felt significant.

No longer did she shut me out entirely as the callous rogue existing only to torment her. We had a chance still to find redemption in each other’s eyes, however slim. That hope alone could sustain me through whatever trials lay ahead.

In the days that followed, Terra devoted herself wholeheartedly to stabilizing my father. I largely left her to direct his animated and engaging. The protective caregivers and prescribe treatments, not wishing to get underfoot. But I made certain she knew I was fully available to fetch anything required, should she only ask.

While immersed in her healing work, Terra revealed more of her tru detachment melted away as she conferred avidly with our mages and, sicians, collaborating to weave Father back from the precipice. I

lived for those brief glimpses of the passionate, vivacious girl I had lost, now matured into an astounding woman I barely recognized, and felt unworthy of knowing.

When possible, I sought out chances to speak with Terra alone, hoping to gently thaw the lingering awkward tension between us. At first she answered my tentative overtures only with polite disinterest before finding excuses to away. But gradually her replies grew less guarded, even occasionally warm in tone when we spoke of innocuous topics or reminisced over fonder memories.

The instinctive rapport that had always flowed easily between us began to emerge once more. Yet she still tensed warily if I drew too near, or spoke with anything beyond light friendliness. The damage my thoughtless choices inflicted could not be undone so swiftly. But earning back even this sliver of her trust felt like a victory, proof I yet had hope of rediscovering what we had lost.

On sunny afternoons when Father felt well enough for short excursions outdoors, I would often find Terra reading alone in the gardens during her scarce free moments. Today I approached her chosen bench quietly, not wishing to disturb the rare peace gracing her delicate features as she lost herself in some massive textbook.

But despite my stealth, she glanced up as my shadow fell across the open pages, eyes briefly wide and vulnerable before her polite mask slipped back into place. “Nathan. Hello.”

“Terra. I hope I’m not intruding.”

Her expression remained neutral, but she obligingly slid her leather satchel off the worn stone bench in silent invitation to join her. I lowered myself cautiously to the vacated spot, leaving a careful distance between us. After so many years stolen, even sharing this sunlit space felt intimate.

“How is your father today?” Terra asked gently, breaking the awkward tension.

I smiled, the mere thought of his improving condition lightening my mood. “Better, thanks to you. The treatments have worked miracles already.”

She gave a small pleased nod at the praise, though still appeared ill at ease alone with me. I racked my mind for how to put her further at ease, longing to regain the closeness we had shared so effortlessly as children. But the yawning gulf between us now would require time and care to bridge.

Grasping for a safe conversational thread, I remarked, “I’m impressed you find time to keep up with dense medical texts even outside your duties.” I gestured at the imposing volume open across her lap.

Terra glanced down, pale cheeks coloring slightly. “Oh, it’s…not for work.” She tilted the embossed cover toward me almost shyly.

“Wuthering Heights,” I read aloud, surprise lifting my voice. I had not taken T**a for a fanciful romance devotee, especially given her wariness toward me now. But I quite preferred imagining her secretly a dreamer at heart.

“A favorite from school days,” she explained, fingertips drifting unconsciously to brush the worn cover. “Sometimes after long hours poring over technical manuals, a bit of poetry restores my spirit.”

“It’s good you have such outlets to recharge and relax,” I said sincerely. Her admission surprised me, but also hinted at lingering romantic depths beneath her composed exterior. I filed away that insight for later reflection.

Silence stretched between us then, but oddly less strained than prior attempts at conversation. Just as reluctantly prepared to take my leave before overstaying the tentative welcome, Terra spoke again, so softly I almost missed her words.

“You look well, Nathan Leadership suits you.”

I blinked, unsure for a moment I had heard correctly. It was the first personal remark she had offered since arriving, not trace of guarded civility. The glowing sentiment shone through despite her carefully lowered eyes, bringing fervent hope surging wildly in my chest.

“Thank you,” I managed unevenly past the sudden thickness in my throat. “That…means more than you know.”

Color rose higher in her fair checks but Terra remained silent, picking absently at loose thread on her worn bag. I should say something more, keep this first c***k in her icy armor from sealing up again. But profound words failed me.

In the heavy silence, Terra slid her textbook back into the satchel and rose gracefully. “I really must be getting back. Excuse me.”

“Of course.” I stood hastily, helplessly watching her slender figure retreat swiftly up the garden path without a backward glance. The sun’s warmth dimmed in her absence, leaving me cold once more.

I sank back to the rough stone bench, awash in bittersweet melancholy. Even that brief, tentative bloom of connection between us stirred longing I could scarcely contain. Having Terra close yet just out of reach exquisitely tortured my fractured spirit. Each accidental brush of her hand seared painfully, reminding me of everything lost.

But I clung to fragile hope we were slowly thawing the walls between us. Just being near Terra eased the gnawing ache of our, broken bond in a way nothing else could. With time and care, surely we might rediscover the love that had come so naturally once. I only needed patience to guide us there.

Buoyed by cautious optimism, I headed back inside to relieve Terra for a break. She had been putting in long hours tending Father.

Convincing her to rest awhile could provide opportunity for us to speak privately again, gently stoking the embers beginning to glow once more between us.

I knew now the spark of our union yet lived. I need only keep faith through these trials to rekindle it into cleansing, glorious flame once more.