The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 71

After Michael and Kathy went to the Alpha’s office, Michael immediately mind–linked Calvin to meet them there. Both of them had been worried sick ever since the ball ended. After Roselyn had left the event so suddenly, Calvin followed right after, and no one knew where he went. His sudden disappearance only added to their unease.

Michael had tried to reach him through the mind link several times, but Calvin ignored him until finally–thank the Goddess–he responded, saying only that he was on his way. That single response gave them both a sliver of relief, though they could still feel his turbulent emotions through the link.

Moments later, a sharp knock echoed on the Alpha’s office door before it opened. Calvin stepped inside, his face expressionless but his aura heavy and stormy. Even without speaking, the tension he carried filled the room.

“Calvin, I’m so sorry,” Kathy said softly, immediately walking toward her brother and wrapping her arms around him. “Have you had a chance to speak with Roselyn? Do you want me to speak with her on your behalf?”

Calvin didn’t return her hug. His body was rigid, his jaw tight. “Speak with her? And tell her what, Kathy?” he asked, his voice low but laced with fury. “You understand that the reason my mate ran away from me is because of what happened with you three, right?”

“Calvin-” Kathy started, her voice trembling, but she couldn’t finish.

“That’s out of line, Calvin,” Michael said, his tone sharp and authoritative as he frowned deeply.

“Out of line?” Calvin repeated, his voice rising slightly as his composure began to crack. “I’m just telling you the truth, Michael. The reason my mate is running away from me is because of what happened here. No wonder Elaine never wanted to come back to this pack or even speak to any of us. If this is the kind of pain she felt when you rejected her, then I understand her completely now.”

Kathy gasped softly, her eyes filling with tears. Michael’s expression darkened, his guilt visible despite his attempt to remain composed.

“Calvin, you know I would have chosen Elaine if I had been given the choice,” Michael said, his voice steady but weary. “But by that time, Kathy was already pregnant, and my father made his decision. He ordered me–no, he Alpha ordered me–to prioritize the future of the pack over everything else. Even you, Calvin… you were ordered not to support Elaine. You remember that.”

Michael’s tone was calm but carried a note of frustration. The memories of that painful time were heavy for them all.

Calvin stared at him for a long moment, then asked quietly, “Michael… are you like your father? Will you follow his example?”

Michael’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

“Because if the only way for Roselyn to accept me is for me to leave this pack,” Calvin said, his voice filled with quiet determination, “then I will do it.”

The room went silent. Michael’s eyes widened in shock, and Kathy froze, her lips trembling.

“No! Brother, no–please don’t say that. Please don’t leave me too,” Kathy said, tears spilling down her cheeks as she grabbed his arm.

Calvin’s eyes softened briefly as he looked at her, but his resolve didn’t waver. “Kathy, you don’t understand. I want to be with my mate. And if leaving is the only way for me to be with her, then I will leave.”

“Calvin…” Kathy whispered helplessly, her sobs muffled by her hands.

Michael stepped forward, his tone firm but pleading. “You’re my Beta. Don’t make hasty decisions. You know how important you are to this pack–how important you are to me.”

“I don’t care if I’m the Beta,” Calvin interrupted, his voice rising again. “Do you think that title means more to me than my mate? I will not lose her, Michael. I will not make the same mistake you made. If leaving this pack is what it takes to be with Roselyn, then I will do it.”

“Calvin, please-” Michael began, trying to reason with him.

“Michael,” Calvin cut him off coldly, his tone like a blade. “I’ve already told you what I will do. And I asked you a simple question–are you the same as your father? But you haven’t answered me yet. That silence tells me everything I need to know. Maybe you are just like him.”

Michael flinched at his brother’s words, guilt flickering in his eyes.

“But I,” Calvin continued, voice trembling with both anger and pain, “I am not like you. I will never sacrifice my mate–not for rank, not for duty, not for this pack.”

The air was thick with tension. Michael wanted to argue, to defend himself, but part of him knew Calvin was right. He had once sacrificed love for responsibility, and the wound from that decision had never healed.

Calvin looked into Michael’s eyes and saw the turmoil there. He knew Michael wasn’t heartless like their father–but he also knew that if he stayed, the same chains that bound Michael once would eventually bind him too.

Michael finally exhaled slowly, trying to ease the heaviness in the room. “Let’s not make any hasty decisions tonight,” he said carefully. “I’ll send a message to Alpha Darius and Roselyn. We’ll request to meet with them tomorrow. We’ll answer whatever questions Roselyn has. Maybe… maybe if she understands everything, she’ll give you a chance–and she’ll stay.”

Michael’s tone was hopeful, almost desperate. But Calvin’s expression didn’t change.

Deep down, Calvin already knew that was impossible. Darius had told him the night before that Roselyn and Elaine were like sisters–inseparable, loyal to the core. If Elaine had been wronged by this pack, then Roselyn would never allow herself to stay here.

And if staying meant losing her… Calvin knew exactly what he had to do.