The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 39

“Alpha Darius,” Elaine whispered, her voice catching in her throat.

Her heart thudded faster the moment her eyes met his. She didn’t understand why he had this effect on her. Every time he was near–even back when she was still in her old pack, she felt an inexplicable sense of comfort, a peace that wrapped around her like a blanket on a cold night.

“Darius, Elaine,” he corrected gently, his tone carrying both warmth and firmness. “Remember? Just Darius.

He hated when she called him Alpha, as if she were putting up a wall between them, brick by brick. To him, it felt like she was keeping him at arm’s length, refusing to let him any closer to the part of her he longed to reach.

Elaine pressed her lips together, unsure of how to respond.

“How are you feeling?” He asked, watching her closely when she didn’t answer right away.

“I’m… okay,” she murmured, her voice soft, fragile–like it might break apart at the slightest touch.

Without another word, Darius sat down beside her on the bed, his presence grounding yet careful, as though he feared overwhelming her. Slowly, he reached out, brushing his fingertips along her cheek.

Elaine looked up at him, her gaze searching his. His eyes were the same as she remembered in Silverblade–kind, steady, and endlessly patient.

“Do you remember what happened?” He asked quietly.

Her lips trembled, but she nodded. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over before she could stop them.

“I lost everything, Darius,” she whispered, her voice breaking into a sob. “My pack, my family… my mate.

Why am I still here? What’s left for me? I just want to be with my pup.”

Pain flared in Darius’s chest at her words, but he refused to let it show. He tightened his hold on her face, tilting it so she couldn’t look away. His voice was low but commanding, laced with the authority of not just an Alpha but of a man desperate for her to hear him.

“Don’t say that. Never say that,” he told her firmly. “Look at me, Elaine. Listen well.”

She blinked through her tears, staring into his eyes, unable to ignore the intensity there.

“Yes, you lost much,” he admitted, his thumb gently brushing away the wetness on her cheek. “But you’ve also gained. You gained a new pack–one that will never abandon you, never betray you. You gained a new family–one that will support you, stand by you no matter what. And most importantly… you still have your pup.”

Elaine’s breath caught. She stared at him, her brows furrowed in confusion, searching his eyes for even the faintest hint of a lie.

“What do you mean? I still have my pup?” Her voice was desperate, trembling with hope and fear. “I lost it, Darius. The doctor confirmed it.”

A small, tender smile curved on his lips. Relief washed over him at the thought of finally being able to give her something good amidst all the darkness.

“Dr. Grey believes it may not have been just one pup,” Darius explained softly. “He said it’s possible you were carrying twins. Your wolf… she managed to save one.”

His eyes glistened, but his voice held steady. “So don’t say you want to follow your pup. Because you still have one fighting for life inside you. Don’t let the sacrifice of the other be in vain.”

Elaine froze, her heart pounding wildly. Her tears flowed anew, but this time they were not solely of grief. She pressed a hand against her stomach as though she could feel the tiny flicker of life within.

“You need to rest,” Darius continued, his voice unwavering. “Eat well. Stay strong. Both you and your wolf need your strength to bring your pup safely into this world. Your pup is fighting with everything it has right now, Elaine. Don’t let it fight alone.”

Inside her mind, her wolf stirred for the first time in what felt like ages. Its ears perked, its eyes blazing with determination at the revelation.

‘We still have our pup,’ the wolf whispered fiercely. ‘We will not let it down.’

Elaine drew in a shaky breath. She met Darius’s gaze again, and this time he saw something different in her eyes–fire. Resolve. The dim flame of life rekindled.

Darius’s chest eased. He had feared that without the pup, there would be nothing left to pull her back from the shadows of despair. But now, with this fragile thread of hope, she had something to hold onto. Something worth fighting for.

“I’ll help you however you need, Elaine,” he promised, his tone gentle but firm. “Always remember–I’m here. Always. And not just me. My parents, my sister… we’re all on your side.”

Elaine blinked, her brows drawing together. “What?”

He gave a small, almost sheepish smile.

“Well, my parents noticed something was wrong when I went straight to the pack hospital the moment I came home. They cornered me last night, asked questions until I told them what happened.” He paused, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. “And today, my sister came here. She said she wanted to be your friend–her words, not mine. But she was disappointed when she wasn’t allowed in.”

Elaine tilted her head, uncertainty flickering across her features.

“I gave an order,” Darius explained gently, “that no one could visit you while you were still recovering. You need peace, Elaine. Time to heal.”

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. She just stared at him, caught between disbelief, gratitude, and confusion.

And for the first time in days, Darius saw not just grief in her eyes–but the faintest glimmer of hope.