The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 136

The celebration was in full bloom.

Music drifted across the courtyard—soft drums, harmonizing flutes, and the distant hum of wolves sharing laughter, victory, and relief after months of uncertainty. The newly recognized Alpha and Luna of Silverblade moved through their people like twin beacons. Calvin’s aura—though not born from alpha blood—had transformed entirely. And Roselyn’s natural alpha blood glowed beside him, bonding with his own spirit until their combined presence radiated like a rising moon.

Luna Elaine felt it clearly: a steady pulse of power, warm and unified. Calvin, once gentle and calm, now carried a quiet weight behind his steps—purpose, strength, certainty. Roselyn anchored him, and he illuminated her. Together, they walked with effortless harmony.

“Mommy,” Nathan’s voice broke through the joyous atmosphere, urgent and bright as he tugged at her hand. “I saw a boy with… with Alpha Michael. Can I say hi and play with him?”

Elaine’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat for a fleeting moment. Instinctively, her gaze flickered to her mate, Darius, whose calm demeanor tightened ever so slightly. An unspoken understanding passed between them, a silent acknowledgment that this moment had been inevitable since the dawn of their new reality.

She crouched down to Nathan’s level, smoothing the front of his little shirt, her heart swelling with love and concern. “We don’t call him Alpha Michael anymore, sweetheart,” she said softly, her voice gentle. “Since Uncle Calvin has taken on the role of Alpha, we now refer to him as ‘previous alpha’ or just ‘Michael.’”

“Oh.” Nathan blinked, his young mind processing the information with surprising maturity. “Okay. So can I say hi and play with the boy with previous alpha? There aren’t any other boys here. I wanna play.”

Elaine hesitated, not out of fear for Nathan’s safety—Evan was more than capable of protecting him—but because of the deeper implications behind his innocent request. Nathan thrived on companionship; he had a gift for connecting with anyone, regardless of age or status. Here, surrounded by powerful adults and warriors, he yearned for a friend—a child who could match his boundless energy.

But the boy he had chosen was Leo.

The firstborn of Michael and Kathy.

His half-brother.

The child who, unbeknownst to either of them, shared not only blood but a destiny intertwined with Nathan’s own.

Elaine swallowed lightly, grappling with the weight of her decision. Was she truly ready for this? No. Was anyone ever fully prepared for the twists of fate that life threw their way? Absolutely not.

But this wasn’t solely her choice to make.

The goddess had a way of guiding the hearts of children, often before the adults could comprehend the significance of such moments.

“Okay,” Elaine finally relented, her voice soft but firm. “But Evan will stay with you. There are many strong wolves here, and we need to be cautious, alright?”

“Yes, Mommy!” Nathan’s face lit up with a radiant smile, his excitement bubbling over.

“Evan?” Elaine turned to the ever-reliable protector.

“He will be protected, Luna,” Evan assured her instantly, his warm smile directed at Nathan. “I’ll stay with him.”

As the two boys ventured off, Darius stepped closer, concern etched on his handsome features. “Are you certain about this, mate?”

Elaine sighed, her heart heavy yet resolute. “We have an alliance with Silverblade. Leo is the current alpha heir. Isn’t it better for Nathan—the future Alpha of Crescent Moon—to forge connections now, rather than being thrust into them when he’s older?”

Darius pondered her words for a moment before nodding, as he always did, placing his trust in her intuition. “You’re right, my Luna.”

Evan walked alongside Nathan, who practically bounced with excitement, weaving through the jubilant wolves. Above them, lights flickered, their flames dancing playfully against the encroaching twilight.

Ahead, Michael, Kathy, and Leo stood together, an image of familial tranquility amidst the chaos of celebration.

Evan inhaled deeply, memories flooding back. The last time he had seen Kathy was during the tense council hearing, where the pain had been sharp and raw—a dull throb in his chest as he grappled with the reality of his fated mate bound to another. But tonight? Tonight, he felt only peace. No lingering longing. No resentment.

Just serenity.

As Nathan approached, both Michael and Kathy froze, their expressions shifting from surprise to shock. They had anticipated Elaine and Darius would keep their son at a distance, maintaining a protective barrier between them.

But here was Nathan.

Radiant and innocent.

“Michael, Kathy,” Evan greeted as they reached the small family unit. “Nathan here wants to introduce himself to Leo and play with him, if that’s alright.”

Leo’s head shot up, then quickly lowered as he glanced nervously at his parents.

“C-Can I, Mommy? Daddy?” Leo’s voice was barely a whisper, uncertainty lacing his words.

Kathy’s smile was gentle and reassuring. “Of course, sweetheart.”

Michael, who had braced himself for a wave of pain, instead felt warmth wash over him. Gratitude filled his heart, as if the goddess had known precisely what he needed on this night.

“Go on, Leo,” he encouraged softly, his voice steady.

Stepping forward with the confidence of an alpha pup, Nathan declared, “Hello! My name is Nathan. I’m the future Alpha of Crescent Moon. What’s your name?”

Leo blinked in awe, his shyness palpable. “My name is… Leo,” he replied, his voice barely above a murmur.

“Nice to meet you, Leo! Can we be friends and play?” Nathan asked, his enthusiasm infectious.

Leo’s face brightened, a smile breaking through like the first rays of dawn. “Yeah!”

Kathy reached out, her maternal instincts kicking in. “Let me call Veronica to watch over you. She’s been taking care of Leo since he was a baby.”

Evan nodded, acknowledging her with a smile.

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