The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 105

The wind whispered through the pine forest, brushing fallen needles across the stone path like secrets being swept out of sight. The air smelled of approaching winter–sharp, clean, and restless, as if the world itself sensed a storm stirring beneath the calm.

Elaine stepped carefully along the moonlit trail just beyond the Crescent Moon Luna House, her phone pressed to her ear on speaker as she walked toward the veranda. She had intended to enjoy the quiet before chaos–final ceremony rehearsals, pack arrivals, preparations to officially step into her new role as Luna. A role she’d bled, fought, and healed for.

But peace rarely stayed long in her life. It always came with a price, or a warning.

Roselyn’s voice cut through the quiet like a blade.

“I met your parents today.”

Elaine froze mid–step. The soft rustling of the trees seemed to still; even the wind held its breath.

She blinked, confused. “Calvin took you to meet them?” Her voice wavered despite her effort to remain neutral.

Roselyn sat somewhere hundreds of miles away in the Silvermoon pack lands, but the tension in her voice traveled clean through the connection.

“No. They came to the pack house today. The previous Alpha and Beta looked like they were on a warpath when we saw them.”

Elaine’s pulse stumbled. The forest suddenly felt colder, as if shadows had gathered around her feet.

Of course they did. Her parents only ever moved in two modes–authority and desperation. And right now, they had reason to be both.

Roselyn continued, each word heavier than the last.

“Calvin was furious. They’re forbidden from coming to the pack house. Michael banned them -and his parents too–after you moved to Crescent Moon.”

Crescent Moon.

Not our pack.

Elaine caught the slip. And the warmth that bloomed in her chest was quiet, gentle, and fiercely eamed. Roselyn was slowly anchoring herself to Silvermoon, allowing herself to belong. Not out of duty–but because her heart was finally safe with Calvin.

Elaine smiled softly. She deserves that. The peace I prayed for her to find.

But the moment of warmth vanished as reality crashed back.

“Why did they come if they’re forbidden?” Elaine asked, forcing the words around the knot forming in her throat.

Roselyn’s sigh trembled slightly–rare for her. Roselyn didn’t rattle easily. Not unless the ground truly shifted.

“The council contacted them. They’re investigating what happened three years ago.”

“The accusations that the previous Alpha interfered with your mating bond with Michael.”

A chill crawled down Elaine’s spine. The memory of that pain–the ripping, the betrayal, the way her enure soul had felt severed–lingered like a phantom bruise.

Some wounds never faded. They just learned to hide beneath new happiness.

There was a pause long enough that Elaine heard her own heartbeat thudding against her ribs, unsteady and unwelcome.

Roselyn’s tone softened, but it didn’t lessen the blow.

“There are punishments for interfering with a fated bond. Serious ones. They came to demand answers. To know why Michael reported them.”

Elaine inhaled sharply. The world tilted for just a heartbeat. Her shoes scraped the gravel path as she steadied herself on the railing of the veranda stairs.

“Oh.” It was all she managed–small and fragile, like a leaf crushed underfoot.

Even the night seemed to pause around her, listening.

Roselyn didn’t stop.

“Calvin said if it’s proven, the council will punish them. And… we all know they interfered.” Her voice hardened. Loyalty–fierce, unwavering–wrapped around every syllable.

Elaine’s chest ached. She lifted her eyes toward the dark sky, searching the stars like they could steady her.

“Darius got a call too, she murmured. “He didn’t say much. I think he wants to wait until after the Luna ceremony.”

Roselyn snorted, and despite the heaviness in her chest, Elaine could almost see her friend rolling her eyes with a smirk.

“He’s not stupid enough to hide anything from you. You’d have his wolf skinned and seasoned on a silver plate.”

Elaine let out a faint laugh. “That’s fair.”

Then silence–soft, familiar, weighted with what neither wanted to say.

The memory burned hot–rage, disbelief, fear, the instinctive need to shield her son.

My son. Not his. Mine and Darius.

“He has a mate. A child. A life he chose,” Elaine hissed. “Why would he risk them?

Roselyn’s voice dropped to a troubled whisper.

“That’s the thir It felt wrong,

He didn’t speak like he cares about them. Or his position. Or consequences ine. I’m afraid he’ll do something at your ceremony.”

Silence fell–tense and heavy as thunder poised to strike.

Elaine drew a slow breath, steadying the storm inside. “I’ll tell Darius. Nathan has been so excited… I won’t keep him from attending. But we’ll protect him.”

Roselyn softened again.

“Calvin wanted you to know. It wasn’t easy–Michael is his Alpha. But you and Nathan… you his family.”

Emotion thickened Elaine’s throat. “Tell him thank you. Truly.”

Then the steel returned, cold and certain.

“He won’t get near Nathan. Not without going through me. And Darius. And every warrior i this pack.”

The wind swept through the trees again, this time with an edge. The world around her felt poised–on the brink of celebration, and yet shadowed by danger.

The ceremony loomed like a shining promise.

And somewhere beyond the horizon, darkness watched.

Waiting.

Elaine straightened, lifting her chin. Luna–calm, Mother–ferocity. Survivor–strength.