The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 40

It had been a full week since Darius brought her to Crescent Moon, and Elaine was still confined to the pack hospital. Dr. Grey had been firm–he would not release her until her wolf regained its full strength.

Normally, recovery was quick. One to two days was all it usually took for a wolf to heal from injuries. But her wounds weren’t physical. They were buried deep in her heart, her mind, and her spirit. Mental and emotional scars always lingered longer, and her wolf was still too fragile to risk the outside world.

During those quiet days of healing, she met Darius’s parents–the former Alpha and Luna of Crescent Moon. Blaine and Seline were nothing like what she had expected. They carried themselves with the quiet strength of leaders, yet their presence was warm and welcoming. They had insisted she call them by their names, not by titles. Seline in particular had been a steady presence, bringing her gentle conversation and reassuring touches whenever Elaine’s thoughts threatened to spiral.

“I promise,” Seline had said one afternoon, her eyes shining with kindness, “once you are well enough to leave this hospital, we’ll spend a day together. A little shopping, a little relaxation. Something to remind you that you are more than what you’ve been through.”

The Luna’s promise had touched Elaine more than she could admit.

She had those relaxing days with her mom and sister before, Elaine thought sadly.

Seline had also brought up her living situation.

“When you’re ready,” she had said, “you’ll need a place of your own. You can stay at the pack house, or if you’d prefer privacy, we have several homes available across the territory. The choice will be yours.”

She had paused, her gaze softening with understanding before adding, “If you ask me, I’d rather you stay in the pack house–at least until you are acclimated to your new pack. That way, we can help you with anything you need, especially during your pregnancy.”

Elaine remembered blinking at the suggestion, her heart tightening. She didn’t want to be a burden. Darius had already done more for her than she could ever repay. Staying in the pack house, surrounded by others, felt almost like taking advantage of his generosity.

“I’ll… think about it,” Elaine had said carefully, though in her heart, guilt pressed heavily.

It was during one of those quiet moments of thought that a knock suddenly sounded on her door. Elaine looked up quickly.

“Knock, knock,” came a cheerful voice,

The door cracked open, and a young woman stepped inside. She was striking–her beauty not intimidating but vibrant, her smile so wide it almost seemed to light up the room. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and life, and she carried herself with an energy that instantly filled the otherwise calm space.

Elaine blinked in surprise.

“Huh… do I know you?” She asked uncertainly.

The woman let out a small laugh.

“Not yet. And that is completely my brother’s fault.” She placed her hands on her hips, tilting her head with mock exasperation. “I’ve been dying to meet you, but he kept saying you needed rest. A whole week of rest! I’ve been very, very patient, but today I just couldn’t take it anymore. So here I am. And thank the Goddess you’re awake, because if you weren’t, I’d probably just keep barging in until I caught you.”

She spoke quickly, words tumbling out in a rush that left Elaine momentarily stunned.

“I… I only asked who you were,” Elaine thought to herself, slightly overwhelmed by the woman’s flood of words.

The woman must have noticed her confusion because she stopped mid–sentence and gave a sheepish smile. “Oh, sorry. What did you ask again?”

“Do I… know you?” Elaine repeated, wondering if she was mistaken.

The woman’s face softened instantly, her smile turning warmer. “Oh! Right. I’m Roselyn–Darius’s sister.”

Elaine’s eyes widened a little. That explained the familiar energy in her aura.

Roselyn sighed dramatically and threw her hands in the air. “I’ve been asking my brother to let me meet you since the day you arrived. But noooo, he kept saying no. Always ‘not yet, not today. I don’t know why he’s being so stubborn about it. I finally had to sneak past Dr. Grey to come here today. That man takes ‘no visitors without Alpha’s approval‘ way too seriously.”

Her playful grumble made Elaine’s lips twitch into a small smile. She could already guess why Darius had been keeping them apart, though. He probably wanted her to rest without the whirlwind that was his younger sister. Still, there was something refreshing about Roselyn’s presence. She was a burst of sunshine compared to the heavy shadows Elaine had been carrying.

“I… like her,” Elaine admitted silently to herself, surprising even her own heart.

“You can always visit me,” she found herself saying aloud, offering Roselyn a soft smile.

Roselyn’s entire face lit up, as though Elaine had just given her the greatest gift.

“Tell that to my brother, will you? Because he doesn’t listen to me. And once you’re discharged and strong enough, we are having a ladies‘ day. No excuses. I’ve been waiting forever for someone to do that with. Finally, I have a friend here!”

The joy in her voice was contagious. Elaine couldn’t help but feel a little lighter, her chest easing in a way it hadn’t since arriving at Crescent Moon.

For the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel so alone.

Elaine was still smiling faintly at Roselyn’s chatter when a low, familiar voice rumbled from the doorway.

“Roselyn.”

The single word carried both authority and warning.