The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 18

The air inside the Alpha’s office was suffocating. It wasn’t just the heavy scent of dominance that clung to the walls, or the way the sunlight failed to soften the room’s severity as it filtered through the tall windows. No–what made it stifling was the presence of the people gathered within.

Alpha Efrein sat behind his massive desk, posture rigid, the weight of his authority radiating with every measured breath. Luna Beatrice stood tall beside him, her expression unreadable but her eyes sharp, carrying that same quiet judgment Elaine had grown up under.

Her parents were there as well–Beta Richard and Lucille–sitting stiffly, their gazes cast downward as though the polished floor might offer answers they didn’t dare look for in their daughter’s eyes.

Near the window, bathed in the soft glow of morning, stood Kathy. Her hands rested protectively over the gentle swell of her stomach, and though she said nothing, her presence was louder than words. She glowed with pride, secure in her place, carrying the future heir of the pack. And beside her–Michael.

Elaine’s heart clenched painfully at the sight of him.

His jaw was tight, his face locked in a mask of control, but his eyes betrayed him. They flickered toward her with a storm of emotions she couldn’t decipher. Anger? Guilt? Possession? Something else buried beneath them all? She didn’t know. She didn’t want to know.

Elaine’s throat tightened. All of them. Of course it had to be all of them.

“Sit,” Alpha Efrein commanded, his tone sharp enough to cut through her thoughts.

Her legs moved on instinct. She lowered herself into the chair opposite his desk, spine straight but fingers twisting together in her lap, betraying the storm she fought to keep hidden.

“You’ve caused quite the stir this morning,” Luna Beatrice began, her voice calm but edged with ice. “Drawing the attention of Alpha Darius so… directly.”

Elaine blinked. That was what this was about? Not her future, not her rejection, not the humiliation she lived with every day, but him?

“I didn’t-” she began, but Efrein lifted a hand, silencing her instantly.

“How did you meet Alpha Darius?” His voice left no room for anything but truth.

“I met him when he saw me after his run.” She said carefully, steadying her tone.

“And what did you tell him?” Efrein pressed.

Elaine shook her head. “Tell him? Nothing. I didn’t tell him anything.”

Michael stepped forward then, his voice harsh. “If you only met him this morning, why does he act as though he has known you for years?”

Her lips parted, but no words came at first. She could feel their eyes on her–all of them— measuring, judging, dissecting her every breath.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” she finally whispered. “I don’t know why he acts the way he acts.”

Michael’s voice sharpened. “And what did he mean when he said there was a connection between the two of you?”

Her frustration cracked through.

“I don’t know! What is this–this interrogation?” Her voice trembled, but not with fear–with outrage.

Alpha Efrein’s gaze bore into her, hard and unyielding. “We have an alliance with his pack, Elaine. I will not see it jeopardized. You will not say or do anything personal that can threaten it.”

“Say anything to affect the alliance?” She stared at him, incredulous. “I don’t even know what you’re implying, Alpha. As I said, I met him today–this morning. If he feels something, if he believes there is some connection, I cannot control that.”

Her words had barely settled when Michael snapped, his voice breaking like a whip. “I don’t want to see you with him!”

Elaine’s head turned sharply toward him. Her eyes narrowed. “What right do you have to say that to me?”

His chest heaved as he thundered back, “I am your mate!”

The words struck her like a blow, but the fire inside her rose stronger.

“You lost that title the moment you rejected me for her.” Her hand shot out, pointing directly at Kathy, who stiffened but did not flinch, her hand instinctively tightening on her belly.

The room went still.

“What is this?” Elaine demanded, her voice trembling with fury now. “This–this interrogation?

What exactly do you expect me to say to Alpha Darius that could possibly destroy your alliance?”

Her father’s voice finally cut through, rough with unease. “The truth of your mating with Michael.”

Her stomach dropped. Slowly, she turned to look at him. “Mating with Michael? I don’t have a mate.”

Michael’s eyes burned into her as he snarled, “The hell you don’t. I am your mate. I will always be your mate. We all have to make sacrifices for the good of the pack. I thought you understood that.”

Sacrifices. Always sacrifices. Always her.

“Elaine,” Luna Beatrice’s voice softened, though it was no less cold, “we understand you are in pain, and disappointed with the… circumstances. But you must avoid Alpha Darius. Michael is still your mate, whether you accept it or not, and his wolf does not tolerate seeing you with him.”

Elaine let out a hollow laugh, one that held no humor.

“You understand my pain?” she repeated, her voice breaking. Her chest heaved as she looked at each of them–the Alpha, the Luna, her parents, Michael, Kathy. “You want me to avoid the first person who has shown me respect in months? The first person who made me feel safe after you all betrayed me? You want me to give that up too? For your alliances? For your convenience?”

Her words cracked through the air like lightning.

And for the first time, silence filled the room. Not because they had nothing to say, but because none of them wanted to admit that she was right.