The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 51

Darius had been gone for two days now, away at Silverblade Pack for Michael and Kathy’s Alpha and Luna ceremony. To Elaine, those three days felt like weeks. The absence of his steady presence left the pack house too quiet, the nights too long. She told herself he was strong, that he had promised to behave, that he wouldn’t let anger or old wounds drag him into something reckless. She trusted him–she truly did–but her heart still couldn’t shake the unease.

She tried to distract herself. She checked the nursery again, her hand trailing over the soft blankets folded neatly in the crib, her lips curving in a small smile at the growing collection of toys. Darius’s love was carved into every corner of the room. He wasn’t just preparing for a pup–he was preparing for their family.

Still, she missed him. Every part of the home reminded her of him, from the scent of cedar and pine that clung to their shared room, to the memory of his voice echoing with quiet laughter in the halls. She rubbed her belly absentmindedly, whispering, “Your father will be home soon.”

She still cannot believe it, Darius willingness to accept her pup as his. And not just Darius even his wolf, his parents, and Roselyn think of her pup theirs.

“Your father,” she whispered to her growing belly, “is going to spoil you beyond reason. You’ll never know what it’s like to want for anything.”

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. When she opened it, Roselyn stood there with a bright smile, balancing a tray with two steaming mugs of tea.

“I thought you might like some company,” Roselyn said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “I know how it feels when the house gets too quiet.”

Elaine’s heart warmed. Roselyn had a way of knowing exactly what she needed before she asked. “You always know when to show up,” Elaine said, taking one of the mugs with gratitude.

Roselyn flopped onto the couch with a dramatic sigh, setting the tray on the table. “Of course I do. You’re my best friend now, remember? And best friends don’t let each other brood alone. Besides, if Darius knew you were sitting here worrying, he’d probably storm back from Silverblade and drag you into his arms. I’m just saving him the trouble.”

Elaine laughed softly, the sound easing some of the tension in her chest. “I’m not sulking. I just… worry. I know he promised to be on his best behavior, but seeing Michael and Kathy again… it can’t be easy for him.”

Roselyn’s eyes hardened for a moment. “If I had my way, Darius wouldn’t have gone at all. Michael and his Luna-” she spat the title out like it was bitter-“don’t deserve the his presence. But Darius is an alpha. He has to play the game, even when it’s rotten.” respect of Elaine lowered her gaze, tracing the rim of her mug with her finger. “It’s not just him I worry about. I… I still can’t go back there. I thought I was over it, but the idea of walking into Silverblade again–seeing them, seeing my parents-” Her voice faltered, and she forced the words out. “It feels like walking back into that night when they turned their backs on me.”

Roselyn set her tea aside and reached across the table, taking Elaine’s hand in hers. “Listen to me. You don’t owe them anything. Not Michael. Not Kathy. Not even your parents. They gave up the right to be in your life when they chose betrayal over loyalty.” Her voice softened, though her grip didn’t. “You have us now. You have Darius. You have me. You’re not alone anymore, Elaine. Not ever again.”

Tears pricked at Elaine’s eyes, though she blinked them back. Roselyn’s fierce protectiveness filled the space where her parents‘ love had once been. She squeezed Roselyn’s hand, grateful beyond words.

The two of them settled into comfortable silence for a while, sipping their tea. Roselyn eventually leaned back, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “So… when Darius gets back, are you going to tell him that he’s already bought enough toys to fill two nurseries? Because if he keeps this up, your pup’s first word might be mine.”

Elaine laughed, the tension easing from her shoulders. “I’ve already tried. He just says, ‘Our pup deserves everything.’ How am I supposed to argue with that?”

“You don’t,” Roselyn said firmly, grinning. “You just let him spoil that pup rotten. Honestly, it’s the cutest thing watching him act like a lovesick fool.”

Elaine laughed harder this time, pressing a hand to her belly. “He does get that look, doesn’t he?”

The two women talked long into the evening, Roselyn sharing stories of their childhood in Crescent Moon, teasing Darius’s habits, and telling Elaine all the little secrets of pack life she would need to know as the future luna after her imposed three years period. Their laughter filled the house, chasing away the loneliness that had lingered since Darius left.

By the time the fire burned low, Elaine felt lighter. Surrounded by Roselyn’s warmth, reminded of the love waiting for her in Crescent Moon, she realized something profound. She no longer needed Silverblade. She no longer needed the people who had abandoned her. She had a home here, a family here, and a future she could finally believe in.

She pressed her hand to her stomach once more and whispered silently to her pup: Here, you will never be alone. Here, you will always be loved.