The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 64

“Auntie Roselyn, you’re leaving too?” Nathan asked in a small voice one morning during breakfast. His spoon stirred idly in his bowl, but he had long forgotten the food in front of him.

Roselyn, who had been sipping her tea, turned to him with gentle eyes. “Why do you ask that, little alpha?”

Nathan’s lips trembled as he looked at her. “Daddy left and hasn’t come back yet… and then Mommy said last night you are leaving too.” His big eyes filled with tears that clung stubbornly to his lashes.

Roselyn set her cup down and leaned toward him. “Oh, little alpha Nathan, I am not leaving for good. Auntie Roselyn just has to attend a mating ball. But I promise, I’ll come back–and I will return together with your daddy.”

“Really?” Nathan asked, his small voice breaking with hope.

“Yes, really, little alpha,” Roselyn said warmly, smiling at him and brushing back a strand of his hair.

Nathan’s hands balled into tiny fists as he whispered, “I miss my daddy. I don’t want to be the alpha anymore. I just want my daddy to come back.” His bottom lip quivered, and a tear slid down his cheek.

Elaine reached for her son and pulled him into her lap, kissing the top of his head. “Oh, honey, Daddy misses you too. You spoke with him last night, remember? Daddy will be back soon. And do you remember what he told you? That you should be a good little alpha while he is away.”

Nathan nodded reluctantly, his small body sagging against her.

“And,” Elaine continued softly, brushing his cheek, “Daddy also said that being a good alpha means helping other packs when they need help. That’s what he’s doing right now–helping. So we have to be proud of Daddy, don’t we?”

Nathan sniffled and whispered, “Yes, Mommy.”

“Can we call Daddy again later?” he asked after a pause, his voice hopeful again.

“Of course, baby,” Elaine said with a smile. Then she tilted her head thoughtfully. “Ah, I just remembered–what did Daddy say last night? What is your duty as little alpha?”

Nathan frowned. “But I don’t want to do it, Mommy.”

Elaine chuckled softly. “I know, baby, but it is still your duty. And an alpha always honors their duty, no matter how small, right?”

“What duty?” Roselyn interrupted curiously, setting her fork down.

Elaine only smiled–though it was a smile that made Roselyn uneasy. It was too knowing, too secretive.

Nathan finally answered for her. He sat up a little straighter, puffing his chest the way he’d seen his father do. “I have to make sure you leave for the mating ball, Auntie Roselyn.”

Roselyn froze, eyes wide. “What?”

Elaine couldn’t hold back her laughter at the look of shock on her sister’s face.

Roselyn shook her head in disbelief. “He didn’t… tell you that, did he?”

Nathan nodded solemnly. “Daddy said I have to make sure.”

Roselyn’s jaw fell open. Her brother–her own brother–had gone so far as to use Nathan to corner her? She sat back in her chair, speechless. It wasn’t as though she truly intended to hide from the ball again… well, maybe she had been thinking about it. But to involve Nathan? To bind her with his innocent little promise? That was just cruel.

Elaine laughed harder, tears gathering in her eyes. “Oh, Roselyn, Darius really got you with this one. He knows you too well. He doesn’t want to hear another excuse this year–he really wants you at that mating ball.”

Roselyn groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “Unbelievable. Only Darius would pull something like this.”

Meanwhile, in Silverblade territory, Darius and his warriors had been working tirelessly. For the past week, drills filled his days from dawn until long after nightfall. Shoulder to shoulder with Michael’s warriors, they practiced coordinated strikes, sharpened defensive strategies, and reinforced the Silverblade borders.

Darius had introduced new patrol rotations and a tracking system that could predict rogue movement, allowing them to strike before the threat even touched Silverblade soil. Michael’s men were quick learners, though clearly unaccustomed to the rigor Darius demanded. Still, progress was steady.

And yet, even with all the success in training, Darius felt the ache of absence in his chest. The pull toward home was constant. Every night, when silence fell over the Silverblade grounds, he would feel it most sharply–the loneliness of being without Elaine’s warmth or

Nathan’s chatter.

The first day he arrived, there had been an unmistakable tension in the air. Seeing Kathy again had been awkward, her gaze filled with questions she dared not ask. He knew she wanted to speak of Elaine but restrained herself. Maybe she still remembered what happened when they cornered him and asked about Elaine. Michael, too, wore his discomfort plainly, his pride bridling at every order Darius gave.

Still, Darius respected him. It took courage to reach out for help, especially from someone with whom ties were strained. Michael had put aside pride for the safety of his pack, and Darius could admire that.

But as much as he respected Silverblade’s need, his heart longed to be back with his family. He could picture Nathan’s bright face when he spoke of being a “little alpha,” and Elaine’s gentle smile as she soothed their son’s worries. Goddess, how he missed them.