The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 70

“Evan, we will be leaving for Silverblade tomorrow as soon as it can be arranged,” Elaine mind–linked Gamma Evan immediately after ending her call with Roselyn. Her pulse was racing, her heart heavy. Every instinct in her screamed that she needed to be with her best the woman who had been there for her during the darkest time of her life. Roselyn’s friend voice over the phone had trembled, filled with pain, guilt, and fear. Elaine could feel her friend’s anxiety through the bond that years of sisterhood had built. Roselyn truly believed for something she had no control over. Elaine would hate her

“What? What do you mean? I didn’t know about this

Darius didn’t say anything!” Evan’s voice echoed through the mind link, confusion and concern evident.

“Wait. I’ll be there in a minute,” Evan added, his mental tone sharp with urgency before cutting off the link.

Less than five minutes later, a firm knock sounded at Elaine’s door. She didn’t even have to ask who it was.

—

When she opened it, Evan stood there – still in his patrol clothes, his brows furrowed deeply. “What happened?” he asked, his usual calm composure replaced with protective tension.

Elaine took a deep breath, trying to steady her own swirling emotions. “Roselyn needs me, Evan.”

“What do you mean she needs you? What happened to her?” he pressed, stepping closer.

Elaine exhaled shakily. “She found her mate… and it was Calvin.”

Evan blinked, his confusion clear. “Calvin? Who’s Calvin?”

“Calvin – my brother. Silverblade’s Beta.”

“f**k me,” Evan muttered, dragging a hand down his face. “Of all the people…

Elaine gave a humorless laugh that quickly faded. “Yeah. Roselyn is distraught. She thinks I’ll be angry that I’ll believe she betrayed me because of my past with Silverblade.”

–

Evan’s tone softened. “Does Darius know you’re planning to go? And what about Nathan?”

“I’ll call Darius tonight. And Nathan… he’s coming with us. I can’t leave him behind.”

Evan studied her for a moment, his sharp Gamma instincts reading the tension she tried to hide. “Elaine… are you sure about this? Are you ready to see them again? Ready for them to meet Nathan? Because once we go back, there’s no avoiding what’s coming. You’ll have to

Elaine swallowed hard. “I don’t know if I’m ready, Evan. I don’t even know if I call when no one else I can’t abandon Roselyn now. She was there for me when I was broken stood by me. She’s not just my best friend; she’s my sister–in–law. And if she needs me, then that’s where I’ll be.” Her voice wavered with emotion, and she could feel the faint tug of Evan’s Gamma aura trying to soothe her frayed nerves.

Evan sighed, his expression softening. “Alright. I’ll make the arrangements. We’ll leave at dawn. Call Darius and tell him – maybe he can ask Alpha Blaine to oversee the pack while we’re gone.”

“Thank you, Evan.”

He gave a small nod, then turned to leave, already mind–linking someone to prepare transport.

When the door closed, silence filled the room again. Elaine leaned against it, closing her eyes. The weight of what tomorrow meant pressed down on her chest – returning to Silverblade after everything, facing her family, her brother, her past. She wasn’t ready. But Roselyn needed her more than her fear could stop her.

She forced herself to move, to focus. Before turning in for the night, she went to check on Nathan.

When she peeked into his room, the soft golden light from his bedside lamp illuminated him sitting cross–legged on the bed, his small fingers tracing the pages of the storybook Darius usually read before bedtime.

“What are you doing, buddy?” she asked gently, stepping inside.

Nathan looked up, his bright eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “I miss Daddy, Mommy. When will he come back? I want us to finish this book together.” His bottom lip quivered.

Elaine’s heart ached. She crossed the room and sat beside him, pulling him into her arms. His small warmth grounded her in ways nothing else could. She kissed the top of his head and whispered, “How about you bring that book when we go see Daddy tomorrow? Then he can finish reading it to you himself.”

Nathan’s eyes widened. “Really? We’re going to see Daddy?”

Elaine smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Really. We’ll leave tomorrow morning. You, me, and Uncle Evan. We’ll see Daddy and Auntie Roselyn. But you have to get some sleep now so you’ll have energy for the trip.”

“Okay, Mommy. I’ll sleep now. Goodnight. Love you.” Nathan whispered, kissing her cheek before snuggling under his blanket.

“Goodnight, baby. I love you too.” Elaine replied softly, tucking him in and turning off the lamp.

When she returned to her room, she dialed Darius. He answered almost immediately, his deep voice calm but edged with worry. She told him everything – her decision to go, Roselyn’s distress, and her plan to bring Nathan. Darius didn’t try to stop her, though she could hear the tension in his voice.

“Just be careful, Elaine,” he said finally. “I’ll let my father know what’s happening and to look over the pack while we are gone. We’ll be ready for your arrival here tomorrow.”

After hanging up, Elaine sat on the edge of the bed, she needs to start packing their bags for tomorrow, but she just needs a minute. Returning to Silverblade terrified her, but she’d do it anyway. For Roselyn. For family. For the bond that not even fate’s cruel games could break.

Tomorrow, she would face the ghosts she’d long tried to bury – and hope that the past wouldn’t destroy the peace she had finally found.