The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 69

Daddy!” Nathan’s excited little voice was the first thing Darius heard when the call connected, and it immediately soothed the heaviness in his chest. The stress and ache he’d been carrying about Roselyn’s situation seemed to soften at the sound of his son’s joy.

“Hello, little alpha,” Darius said, a small smile tugging at his lips as he leaned back against the headboard of his room. “How is our pack?”

“The pack is safe, Daddy. I keep it safe,” Nathan said proudly, his young voice full of confidence.

“That’s our little alpha,” Darius murmured warmly. “I’m so proud of you, Nathan. And I miss you.”

“I miss you too, Daddy.” Nathan’s tone shifted, softer now.

“Can I speak to Mommy? I miss her too” Darius replied gently.

Through the line, he could hear Nathan calling out to Elaine, his small feet padding against the wooden floor, the faint rustling of the phone as he handed it over.

“Darius?” Elaine’s voice came through quickly, laced with concern. “Is something wrong? Why are you calling so early?”

Darius closed his eyes briefly. He could already picture Elaine’s expression–her brow furrowed, lips pressed tightly together. She knew the mating ball had just begun, and he had told her beforehand he would call only after it was over. For him to call now, there could be only one reason in her mind: he had found his fated mate.

“Nothing is wrong, love,” Darius said softly, hoping to calm her rising panic. “But I have news something I need to tell you right now.”

…

“You found your mate?” Elaine’s voice trembled slightly. Darius could hear the pain she tried to mask, but the hurt slipped through anyway.

“No, my love,” Darius reassured immediately. “I found my mate a long time ago. You are my mate, remember?”

There was a long pause. He could hear Elaine inhale deeply, her shaky breath filtering through the line as she tried to relax.

“Okay,” she said at last, voice steadier now. “Then what’s your news?”

“It’s about Roselyn,” Darius said carefully. “She found her mate, Elaine… and it’s Calvin.”

There was silence for a moment, and then Elaine’s shocked voice broke through. “Calvin? My brother Calvin?”

“Yes.” Darius’s tone softened. “And she’s worried you’ll think she betrayed you. I think… she’s thinking about rejecting Calvin.”

“What? Why would she think that?” Elaine asked, her disbelief clear.

“Love, Roselyn knows what you went through here,” Darius explained gently. “She knows what Calvin did–or didn’t do–when you were in this pack. She knows how close you came to giving up, how broken you were. If not for Nathan, you might have…” His voice trailed off, heavy with memory.

“Oh my God…” Elaine whispered, her voice thick. “I can’t imagine what Roselyn is feeling right now. Wait–let me call her.”

“Okay, love. I love you,” Darius said softly.

“Love you,” Elaine murmured before ending the call.

Roselyn sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her eyes fixed on the pale moonlight spilling through the window. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. She was terrified–terrified that Elaine would hate her when she found out Calvin was her fated mate. Deep down, she knew Elaine’s heart, knew she would understand, but her mind refused to stop whispering ugly fears.

How can I accept Calvin when he stood by and did nothing when Elaine was hurting? she thought bitterly. How can I allow myself to be happy knowing what he represents? How can I live here, in this pack, surrounded by the people who hurt and abandoned Elaine?

Her fingers dug into the fabric of her dress as she fought back tears. Oh, Moon Goddess, why are you so cruel?

Her phone rang suddenly, startling her. She didn’t need to look at the screen to know who it was. With trembling hands and a lump rising in her throat, she answered.

“Roselyn, I just spoke with Darius. How are you, honey?” Elaine’s voice came immediately, warm but tinged with worry.

“Elaine, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to-” Roselyn’s voice broke, and before she could finish, a sob escaped her lips.

“Oh, honey, there’s nothing for you to be sorry about,” Elaine said gently, her voice like a balm. “You know we cannot control who our fated mate is. Only the Moon Goddess decides that.”

“How can the Moon Goddess do this?” Roselyn cried softly. “Elaine, I don’t want to lose you or Nathan. I’m so scared that if I accept Calvin, I’ll lose you both. I love you, and I love my nephew.”

“You won’t lose me or Nathan,” Elaine reassured her firmly. “We will always be here for you.

We love you too.”

“But if I accept Calvin, I’ll have to stay here,” Roselyn whispered. “I’ll only see you when I visit. And I’ll be living with them, with the ones who hurt you…”

“Roselyn, listen to me.” Elaine’s tone shifted, becoming stronger, steadier. “We are not just friends–we are family. You staying there won’t change that. And I don’t condone what they did to me, but I have you, Darius, and the whole Crescent Moon pack because of what happened. Please, do not sacrifice your happiness because of me. When you make a decision, do it for you, not for me.”

“But Elaine-” Roselyn began, tears spilling freely down her cheeks, but Elaine cut her off gently.

“No buts. You know what? Wait for me. We’re leaving tomorrow, as soon as possible, to be with you,” Elaine said decisively.

“What?!” Roselyn gasped, shocked. “Elaine, you don’t have to-”

“You’re my best friend,” Elaine interrupted softly but firmly. “And you need me right now. So I’m coming to you.”

Roselyn sat there frozen, the phone pressed to her ear, tears streaming as relief and fear mingled in her chest. For the first time that night, she didn’t feel quite so alone.