The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 60

“We will be there in a few days, Alpha Michael,” Darius said firmly before hanging up the phone.

The office was quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Papers were neatly stacked on his desk, maps of surrounding territories marked with colored pins. Darius leaned back in his chair, his mind already running through strategies and preparations.

Marcus, his ever–curious beta, raised a brow. “What was that about?”

Darius rubbed a hand across his jaw, then looked up. “Alpha Michael asked for our assistance with the rogue problem they’ve been having. He wants a joint training between our warriors and theirs. There’s been a surge of attacks along their northern border, and they need help containing it.”

Marcus shifted his weight, arms crossed. “When are we leaving? The mating ball is only three weeks away.”

“Yes,” Darius said, his tone thoughtful, “but this cannot wait. We will leave in a week, and we’ll stay there until after the mating ball. Organize the warriors who will accompany us.”

Marcus’s brow furrowed. “And what about the unmated pack members who are supposed to attend the ball? They’ll be disappointed if they think they’re missing it.”

“They won’t miss it,” Darius replied. His voice was calm but resolute. “They’ll arrive on the day of the ball, as planned. For now, we’ll only bring the warriors who are needed for training and for pushing back the rogues.”

Marcus gave a short nod. “Understood. I’ll make the preparations.” Then, with a sly grin tugging at his lips, he added, “Just make sure Roselyn shows up to the ball this time and doesn’t vanish like she always does.”

Darius let out a heavy sigh. His beta wasn’t wrong. His younger sister had a reputation for disappearing during mating balls and whenever other packs visited. She always managed to slip away, finding some excuse to be outside the pack lands or tucked away where no one could bother her.

“It’s not just shyness,” Darius said, his voice lowering as if the weight of his sister’s choices pressed on him. “She admitted to me she’s been avoiding meeting her fated mate. She doesn’t want to face it. This year, I told her she has no choice–she will attend.”

Marcus tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “And why exactly is she so determined to avoid him?”

“She claims she’s not ready to settle down,” Darius muttered, half in frustration, half in confusion. He shook his head. “But that doesn’t make sense. Everyone waits their whole life for their mate. Why would she run from what the Moon Goddess has chosen for her?”

Marcus shrugged. “Not everyone dreams of responsibility, Alpha. Maybe she’s afraid of what it means. A mate bond is powerful–it changes everything.”

Darius frowned. The thought of his sister alone, resisting something so natural, unsettled him.

Marcus spoke again, a glimmer of amusement in his tone. “What about the luna? Maybe she can convince Roselyn to attend. She has more sway than you do.”

Darius leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. “Elaine is not coming. Outside our pack, it’s still unknown that she is my chosen luna. The agreement was for three years, and this year’s mating ball marks the end of that agreement. After this, I can finally announce our bond and give her the luna ceremony she deserves.”

“But,” he added after a pause, “I might still ask her to keep an eye on Roselyn. Maybe she’ll succeed where I cannot.”

Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. “Good luck with that. You know Roselyn and the luna cover for each other every chance they get.”

Darius’s lips curved into a faint smile at the truth of those words. Elaine and Roselyn had grown inseparable ever since Elaine transferred to Crescent Moon. He remembered the first time he realized the depth of their friendship–how Elaine had known all along about Roselyn’s avoidance of her mate yet never told him. When he confronted her, demanding why she had kept it from him, Elaine had looked him square in the eyes and said, ‘Roselyn isn’t just my best friend, Darius. She’s my sister in my heart. I won’t betray her trust.‘

The memory softened him, even now. He remembered smiling despite his frustration, because that loyalty, that fierce protectiveness, was exactly why he loved Elaine–and why he couldn’t wait for the day the whole pack would recognize her as his luna.

Later that evening, the training grounds buzzed with energy. Warriors gathered under the fading light, the clang of weapons and the sharp bark of commands filling the air. Marcus was already there, clipboard in hand, calling out names and checking off who would be traveling to Silverblade.

“Form ranks!” Marcus ordered.

The warriors moved quickly, their boots crunching against the dirt. The scent of sweat and steel lingered in the cool evening breeze. Darius watched from the edge, arms crossed, taking in the sight of his pack’s strength. These men and women were his pride–the shield of Crescent Moon.

“Alpha,” one of the younger warriors, Elias, stepped forward. His shoulders were broad, his stance eager. “Will we be facing the rogues directly, or only training?”

“Both,” Darius said, his voice carrying easily across the training yard. “Michael’s territory has seen an increase in attacks. You’ll train beside their warriors, but you’ll also patrol their borders. Stay alert. Rogues are unpredictable, and they’ve grown bolder.”

A murmur rippled through the ranks, a mix of determination and unease.

Another warrior, a woman named Lyra, lifted her chin. “And the mating ball, Alpha? Will we still be able to attend?”

Darius’s gaze swept across the gathered faces. Many of them were unmated, their excitement for.the ball almost as strong as their hunger for battle. He gave a firm nod. “Yes. You will attend as planned. But until then, your duty is to protect and to train. Silverblade needs our strength, and we will not fail them.”

A resounding “Yes, Alpha!” echoed across the grounds.

Marcus gave him a sidelong look as the warriors dispersed to continue sparring. “They’re restless,” he murmured. “Half of them are dreaming about mates and destiny. The other half are sharpening blades for bloodshed. It’s going to be an interesting couple weeks.”

Darius allowed a faint smile. “That’s why we lead them. To make sure neither distraction nor desire weakens their purpose.” His eyes hardened as he watched two warriors clash in the ring. “Rogues don’t wait for perfect timing. And neither will we.”