The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 131

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The corridor stretched long and sun-washed ahead of them, filled with the kind of soft, late-morning light that made everything look gentler than it felt. Warm beams spilled through the tall windows, casting shifting patterns across the polished floors. Outside, the council grounds buzzed faintly—warriors training in the distance, young wolves laughing as they ran errands between buildings, the comfortable hum of a pack returning to normalcy after days of tension.

Elaine walked with unhurried steps, her fingers brushing absently along the smooth railing as she moved. But no matter how much she tried to focus on the familiar sounds of daylight, her gaze kept drifting sideways.

Toward Evan.

He trailed a half-step behind her, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture as straight and composed as ever. But today, there was an unusual quietness in his stride, a subtle shift that tugged at her attention.

Kathy and Evan…

The thought flitted through her mind again, stubborn and persistent, like a leaf clinging to a branch in a gentle breeze. Of all the unexpected turns her life had taken over the last three years, this particular twist was one she could never have foreseen.

Evan caught her glance—he had an uncanny ability to notice everything—and a small, knowing smile crept onto his lips, hinting at an understanding that made her heart race.

“Luna,” he spoke softly, a hint of amusement lacing his tone, “if there’s something on your mind, just say it.”

Elaine blinked, feeling caught in a moment of vulnerability. The sunlight streaming through the windows warmed her cheeks, amplifying her sudden embarrassment.

“I… I just wanted to check in on you, Evan,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

He slowed his pace, pausing beside one of the bright alcoves, where the late-morning light framed him in a golden hue, accentuating the sharp line of his jaw and the contemplative stillness in his eyes.

“I’m good,” he replied quietly, his sincerity evident. “Honestly, I’ve never felt better.”

Then, turning his gaze to her, one eyebrow arched in playful challenge, he added, “But I suspect that’s not the real question you’re asking, is it?”

Elaine bit her lip, a nervous habit she had never quite managed to shake off.

“Kathy mentioned something to me,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “That’s why I wanted to know.”

Evan’s shoulders rose and fell with a slow, measured breath, his gaze drifting out the window where young wolves frolicked across the training field. The sunlight glinted off the glass, illuminating his eyes when he finally turned back to her.

“I am okay, Luna,” he reassured her. “Kathy made her choice to reject me long before our paths ever crossed. In truth, I was never truly her mate to lose. She severed that bond three years ago when she opted to stay with Michael.”

Elaine felt a sharp pang in her chest, a tightness that made her heart ache.

“I’m so sorry, Evan,” she murmured, her voice laced with empathy.

He shook his head, offering her a small, sorrowful smile that seemed to carry the weight of his heart. “This isn’t your fault. And honestly… it’s not even my loss. I would have given her everything I had, but she didn’t desire that. She didn’t want me.”

The sunlight softened the melancholy in his eyes, transforming it into something bittersweet, a mixture of acceptance and lingering hurt.

They walked in silence for a moment, passing by a row of open windows where a warm breeze drifted in, bringing with it the fresh scent of pine and the distant aroma of something delicious wafting from the council kitchen. It felt like a normal morning—alive, grounding, and reassuring.

Finally, Elaine broke the silence.

“For the record, Evan,” she said gently, her voice imbued with sincerity, “you would have made a wonderful mate for her. Anyone could see that.”

Evan’s step faltered slightly, the weight of her words settling in.

Elaine pressed on, her voice warm with conviction. “I believe the Moon Goddess has a plan for you, just as she did for me. Even when I couldn’t see it, she had a purpose in mind. If Michael hadn’t chosen Kathy, I would have never met Darius. I would have never experienced what true, fated love feels like.”