The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 138

The laughter of the pups echoed softly from the play area—high, bright bursts of joy that drifted across the courtyard like tiny fireworks, rising and falling with every breath of the evening wind. Lantern light swayed above them, scattered across the stone paths like warm stars pulled down from the heavens just for this night. Nathan’s excited chatter mixed with Leo’s shy giggles, grounding the moment with innocence despite the weight of destiny pressing in from every corner of the celebration. Elders conversed in hushed voices, warriors exchanged nods of respect, and the pack feasted and toasted the full moon—yet the truest joy lived in those small, carefree sounds.

Veronica stood a short distance away, her hands nervously clasped in front of her stomach, fingers twisting the fabric of her dress as if seeking comfort from it. The lantern light painted her cheeks with a soft amber hue, catching in her dark hair and illuminating her eyes, which shimmered with a fragile disbelief that resembled glass. Just moments ago, fate had turned her world upside down. In a single breath, in one meaningful look, and in the powerful scream of her wolf, everything had changed.

“Veronica.”

Her name floated through the air, warm and inviting, like a gentle breeze on a summer day. She turned, her breath hitching as it always did since her wolf had cried out mate. It was an instinct that transcended words, a force as ancient as the moon itself.

Evan approached her slowly, each step deliberate, as if he feared she might vanish if he moved too boldly. There was a stillness about him—not hesitation, but a palpable reverence. His eyes held a warmth she had never experienced directed at her before—gentle, protective, and threaded with awe, as though he had discovered something precious he hadn’t realized he was missing until this very moment.

His presence enveloped her like a comforting cloak, steady and strong, yet gentle in a way that only the mate bond could shape a warrior.

“Hi,” Veronica whispered, her voice barely above a murmur, almost shy, as if she feared that speaking too loudly might shatter the dreamlike quality of the moment. “I… I wasn’t sure if you’d want to talk now or after—”

“Now.” Evan’s voice was soft yet unyielding, imbued with certainty. He stepped closer, just inches from her, close enough for her heart to stutter, close enough for the bond to hum between them like a living current. “If I could, I’d talk to you for the next hundred years.”

A beautiful flush crept across her cheeks, warmth rising like the dawn beneath her skin. Her wolf preened proudly beneath his gaze, lifting her head within Veronica’s mind—claiming the moment, claiming the man.

Evan’s gaze drifted toward the children—toward Nathan and Leo, who were rolling a wooden ball back and forth in the dirt, their laughter erupting like tiny suns. Their joy wove a ribbon of innocence through the night, untouched by the complexities of politics, rank, or fate—two boys simply being boys.

“They’re good together,” Veronica remarked, a small smile forming on her lips, delicate as a flower petal. “Leo… he doesn’t open up often. But he warmed to Nathan instantly.”

Evan chuckled softly, the sound rich and warm. “Nathan has that effect on everyone.”

Veronica’s smile deepened, her heart swelling with an affection that took her by surprise. “Leo is a good boy,” she said quietly, her voice filled with a tenderness that softened her demeanor. “I’ve been taking care of him since he was a baby. And Michael and Kathy have been so good to me. I am only an omega, but they have treated me like… like family.”

“Leo is lucky to have someone like you to look after him,” Evan murmured, his voice rolling low through her chest like distant thunder. “My mate.”

Those words wrapped around her like silk, soft yet powerful. My mate. Two simple syllables that reshaped her future in an instant.

Evan’s hand lifted slowly, hesitation flickering in his eyes—not fear, but deep respect. When his fingers brushed against hers, Veronica didn’t pull away. His grip firmed, and a rush of breath left her lungs. Sparks shot through her skin—hot, sharp, undeniable. The bond roared awake beneath her flesh, humming between their joined hands like lightning trapped in a heartbeat.

A soft gasp escaped her lips, and her wolf howled in delight, fierce and wild, pacing against the edges of her mind.

“Veronica,” Evan began, his thumb gliding over the back of her hand in a slow, grounding stroke. “I want you with me. At Crescent Moon.”

Her lashes fluttered, her heart pounding so loudly she wondered if he could hear it. “Evan…”

“I know it’s fast,” he said gently, his voice soothing. “I know we just met minutes ago. But the bond—this bond—it isn’t patient. It doesn’t give us years to decide. It pulls. It roots. It chooses.” He drew in a deep breath, his chest rising with the weight of his words. “And I already feel like I’ve been waiting for you longer than I ever understood.”

The wind curled around them, carrying the scents of pine and roasted meat from the feast tables. Somewhere in the distance, laughter rang out, and elsewhere, joyful tears were shed. But here—right here—the world narrowed to the space between their hands.

Evan stepped even closer, until his warmth enveloped her like a blanket on a cold winter night. His voice, a low rumble meant only for her, wrapped around her heart. “I’m not asking you to leave everything behind. I’m asking you to walk with me. To be where I am. To let me protect you. To build something together… from today onward.”

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