The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 23

“Rejected?” Darius echoed, his voice low but sharp, like the word itself cut him. His chest tightened, disbelief flashing in his eyes. “That is… impossible.”

No wolf rejected their fated. It was a law older than any written, a truth embedded in the very marrow of their kind. Fated mates were sacred–the moon goddess’s most perfect gift. To reject was not just taboo; it was an offense against their very nature. Wolves whispered about it as a myth, a curse, something that could happen in theory but never did. Never.

And yet here she was, standing before him, fragile and trembling, her eyes carrying the proof in their sorrow.

No wonder she looked as though life itself had been drained from her. No wonder every breath she took seemed heavy.

Her other half had cast her aside.

Darius’s mind reeled. What kind of wolf could do this? Who would dare spit on the goddess’s will? To be fated to the beta’s daughter, to Elaine–a wolf as strong, as beautiful, as pure–hearted as she–and to throw it away?

It was unthinkable. It was madness.

“Yes.” Elaine’s voice broke softly, her words echoing with a grief she no longer had the strength to hide. “My fated rejected me for another. And every time I see them together, I die inside.”

The confession twisted like a knife through the air. Suddenly, all the pieces fell into place for Darius.

The strange looks during breakfast, the alpha’s cold dismissal, the whispers that seemed to hover around her, the way no one dared stand at her side. Now he understood. Everyone in her pack knew. They had watched her be rejected, watched her be abandoned, and instead of protecting her as their own, they had turned away.

A pack was meant to shield, to defend, to honor its members. But here? Here, they had betrayed her. Left her bleeding on the inside, as though she were nothing but a mistake they wished would vanish.

Darius’s hands curled into fists.

“Who is this wolf that rejected you?” His voice was no longer calm–it carried the deep growl of his wolf, restrained but furious. “Why would the pack support him instead of you, their beta’s daughter? Why would they allow this?”

Elaine’s lips quivered, but she held his gaze. “Yes. My mate rejected me. He was supposed to be mine, but now he is with another.”

Her pain radiated outward in waves, filling the space between them until even the waterfall’s roar seemed muted. Tears streaked down her face, but she made no move to wipe them away. They belonged there like scars carved into her soul.

Darius stepped closer, his eyes hardening.

“Who is your mate?” He demanded, though his voice softened as he looked at her.

“No need for you to know, Alpha.” She lowered her head, her voice heavy with sorrow. “It will only cause more trouble.”

“You have to tell me.” His voice sharpened again, echoing with authority. “Rejection is taboo. It is forbidden. If your pack is protecting a wolf who has broken the goddess’s bond, then I will not stand by. I will not ally myself with a pack that spits in the face of the moon goddess.

Elaine flinched slightly at his words, but he did not relent. His wolf clawed inside him, furious, ready to tear down the Silverblade walls for what they had done to her.

“Who is this male? And why has your alpha allowed this to happen?” Darius pressed, his voice rising like a storm.

Elaine let out a shaky, broken laugh, though there was nothing joyful in it.

“This… this is why they don’t want me to tell you anything. Why they’re so nervous when I speak to you, why they watched every word at breakfast. They know if you learn the truth, you’ll sever the alliance. And they’re right.” Her voice dropped, trembling. “You would cut ties with us the moment you knew.”

Her words struck him hard, because they were true. His jaw clenched, fury rumbling deep in his chest.

“I will never ally with a pack that rejects the goddess’s design.” He said, his voice like a vow.

But Elaine shook her head desperately, stepping forward, her hand brushing against his arm as though to plead.

“Please… don’t let my situation destroy the alliance. The pack will suffer without it. And I don’t want that. They are still my pack, Darius. I care for them.”

His eyes widened, stunned by her kindness, by her selflessness even in the face of betrayal.

“They do not deserve it. They abandoned you, Elaine. And still you want what is best for them?”

She nodded slowly, her tears falling freely now. “There are pups here who have no part in this. Wolves who don’t know what’s happening… others who may see, but have no voice, no power. If you cancel the alliance, they’ll be the ones to suffer. The innocent always do.”

Darius studied her for a long moment. His heart ached with both admiration and rage- admiration for her strength, her compassion, and rage for the cruelty of those who had failed her. Every part of him wanted to tear Silverblade apart for what they had done.

But another part, the part that saw her fragility and her bravery, knew he couldn’t add to her pain. Not now.

He exhaled slowly, the decision weighing heavily. Finally, he gave a small, firm nod.

“Very well. I will not touch the alliance. Not yet.” His gaze locked on hers, steady and unyielding. “But hear me, Elaine. You will not remain here. I will not allow it. After the mating ceremony, you will leave with me.”

Her eyes widened, disbelief flickering before hope began to bloom.

“Are you sure?” She whispered, her voice trembling.

“Yes.” His answer came without hesitation, filled with quiet certainty.

And for the first time in weeks, maybe months, Elaine smiled. It was fragile, tentative, but it was there, like the first ray of sunlight breaking through endless storm clouds.

Hope stirred within her, something she thought she had lost forever.