The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 65

A week passed, and now the grand night of the mating ball was finally in full swing. The Silverblade Pack’s great hall had been transformed into a glittering spectacle–crystal chandeliers reflected the golden glow of candles, and the polished marble floors shimmered beneath the soft light. Laughter and voices filled the air, blending with the faint notes of music drifting from the live string quartet. Guests from various packs mingled, their eyes constantly scanning the crowd, each one silently hoping to feel that unmistakable pull that would lead them to their fated mate.

Among them were Darius and his sister, Roselyn. They had arrived with the rest of their pack that morning, and though Roselyn had done her best to appear composed, Darius had noticed her restlessness immediately.

“Roselyn, what is going on? You look anxious,” Darius murmured as they stood slightly apart from the largest crowd, observing.

Roselyn shifted on her feet, smoothing down her glittering silver dress gown with trembling fingers. She had been grumbling since early that morning, ever since Darius had casually reminded Nathan–his clever and bossy little son–to make sure Roselyn didn’t back out of attending. Nathan had taken his assignment with the seriousness of a future alpha. He had stood by the car when Roselyn left, arms crossed, making her pinky promise that she wouldn’t convince the driver to drop her off anywhere else. For Nathan, pinky promises are sacred and should not be broken. She knows her nephew will be heart broken if she breaks her promise. And Darius knows Roselyn will never forgive herself if she makes Nathan sad. The memory made Darius chuckle quietly now. Roselyn told him about Nathan’s stern little face, so full of determination, was still fresh in his mind.

“I don’t know,” Roselyn admitted, her voice low and hesitant. “I feel anxious. Even my wolf is restless… it’s like she knows something is coming, but she won’t tell me what.”

Before Darius could respond, the crowd hushed as the alpha and luna of Silverblade entered the hall. All eyes shifted toward them, admiration and curiosity sweeping through the room like a tide. Behind them walked their beta, a tall and imposing presence, silent but commanding attention.

The couple made a striking image together. Kathy, the Luna, wore a simple yet elegant gown that hugged her frame, but what drew everyone’s eyes was not the dress–it was the glittering necklace at her throat, carefully positioned to conceal her mating mark. It was common knowledge that Luna Kathy always hid her mark at public events, though the reason was never explained. Inevitably, soft whispers began to ripple through the hall as guests speculated yet again about the mystery. With wolves‘ heightened senses, every word carried, and Kathy’s slight stiffening of her shoulders revealed that she had heard the murmurs. Still, her smile remained in place, polished and graceful.

Beside her, Alpha Michael wore a tailored suit in the same muted shade as Kathy’s gown, a deliberate show of unity. Together they exuded strength and authority, the kind of presence that demanded respect.

Michael raised his hand, his voice carrying smoothly through the hall. “Good evening, friends and allies. Once again, we gather for the annual mating ball. My luna and I welcome you to Silverblade and pray that tonight you find the blessing of your fated mate under the Goddess’s guidance.”

Kathy stepped forward, her smile warm but her eyes guarded. “Please enjoy yourselves this evening. Our omegas are here should you need anything at all.”

Polite applause followed, and conversation resumed, though the whispers about the Luna’s hidden mark lingered in the air.

Roselyn leaned closer to Darius, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “So, she really is hiding her mark? Even here?”

Darius gave her a pointed look, his tone firm. “We do not have to add to the gossip, Roselyn. That is not why we are here.”

“I was just asking,” Roselyn muttered defensively, but her eyes were still fixed on the alpha couple. They looked like they truly loved and supported each other, their hands brushing occasionally, their gazes softening when they glanced at one another. Yet the mystery of Kathy’s hidden mark continued to fuel questions in the minds of the guests.

Roselyn, who has not seen Kathy before, could not help but wonder. Every appearance, every event–the mark was always hidden. And though the Silverblade pack remained silent on the matter, ordered never to speak of it, secrecy only stoked the flames of curiosity.

“We are not in our own pack, Roselyn,” Darius reminded her gently but firmly. “We have to respect our hosts‘ privacy and not involve ourselves in what does not concern us.”

Roselyn sighed, finally nodding in reluctant agreement. But just as she turned her eyes away from the alpha and luna, her gaze fell on the figure standing just behind them–their beta.

Her breath caught. Her heartbeat stumbled, then surged violently in her chest. Her wolf erupted inside her, howling with joy, claws scraping at the edges of her control as if desperate to break free and run to him.

“No…” Roselyn whispered under her breath, her hand flying to her chest.

Her wolf’s elation clashed with the storm in her mind. This couldn’t be happening. The mate bond was unmistakable–the pull, the overwhelming connection, the way the world suddenly narrowed down to that one person–but of all the wolves here tonight, why him?

Not Silverblade’s beta. Not someone from this pack.

Her thoughts spiraled, a desperate plea forming in her mind. Goddess, no. Please, not with them. Not with the pack that hurt and abandoned my best friend. Not with a wolf who belongs to those who scorned the very blessing of a fated mate. Please, anyone but him.

Her wolf, however, paid no heed. Inside her, the joyous howl only grew louder.