The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 72

The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, painting faint gold lines across Roselyn’s room. She had barely slept; her mind had been consumed by fragments of dreams and the steady ache in her chest. Every time she closed her eyes, Calvin’s face appeared – that unmistakable pull of the bond, the one her wolf yearned for yet her heart couldn’t accept.

A knock echoed through the silence. It was firm but gentle.

Roselyn’s pulse quickened. “Who is it?” she asked, her voice still rough from sleep. A part of her prayed it wasn’t Calvin. She wasn’t ready for that–not yet.

“It’s me, Roselyn,” came Darius’s voice from the other side.

Roselyn exhaled in relief, shoulders sagging slightly. She rose from the bed, brushing her tangled hair back and tugging her robe tighter around her. When she opened the door, Darius stood there, tall and composed as always, though she could see the worry in his eyes.

“Darius, what happened?” she asked quickly.

“Alpha Michael requested a meeting,” Darius said, his tone neutral, carefully measured. “He wants to see us in his office.”

Roselyn’s stomach twisted. “Darius, I’m not sure if I want to,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I don’t think I can face them right now.”

—

Darius’s expression softened. “Roselyn, you have to face this. Calvin is your mate and no matter how unfair it feels, this bond won’t fade by hiding from it. We’ll be heading home in a couple of days once the joint training and rogue containment are over. You don’t have much time, and you deserve to have clarity before we leave. Whatever decision you make, I’ll stand by you. But you still need to make one.”

She looked away, eyes glistening. “But Darius… what will I even say? How do I look him in the eye after knowing everything he’s done or let happen?”

“You start by asking for the truth,” Darius said gently. “Don’t you want to know his reason for abandoning Elaine? You know what she went through here, how broken she was. But still – you need to know why. You need to hear it from him before you decide the rest of your life.”

Roselyn’s chest tightened, anger and sorrow clashing inside her. “How can you say that? What they did was unforgivable. No reason could ever justify the pain they caused.”

“You’re right,” Darius agreed. “What they did was unforgivable. But that forgiveness isn’t yours to give, Roselyn – it belongs to Elaine. You can’t decide her healing, and she can’t decide your fate. This is about you and your mate bond. Whatever happens, you’ll be the one. who has to live with the consequences of your choice. So make that choice with all the facts in front of you, not just anger.”

Roselyn blinked back tears, a small, broken smile tugging at her lips. “When did you become this smart, brother?”

Darius chuckled softly, the sound low and comforting. “Being Alpha teaches you to think twice before you act. Every decision I make affects the entire pack. I can’t afford to be reckless. And as your brother, I won’t let you be either. If I let you walk into a future blinded by pain or regret, I’d fail you and I love you too much for that.”

That was all it took for her tears to fall. Darius had always been her protector – her anchor. Even when they were young, he had never wavered. He was the one constant in her world.

“I wish you could just make the decision for me,” she whispered.

Darius gave her a small, bittersweet smile. “If I could, I would. But this is your life, Rosie. Only you can decide what to do with the bond the Moon Goddess gave you.”

Roselyn nodded slowly, though her heart felt like it was shattering all over again. Of course she wanted to be with her fated mate. Who wouldn’t? She had dreamed of having what their parents shared – a love built on trust, loyalty, and respect. A bond where both hearts beat as one. But how could she trust Calvin, the man who stood by while Elaine was torn apart by betrayal? How could she respect a Beta serving the Alpha and Luna who caused her best friend’s deepest pain?

Her wolf whimpered inside her, restless and aching. The bond was strong, its pull undeniable. Her wolf longed to be near Calvin, to touch him, to feel whole again. But Roselyn’s human heart wasn’t ready. It was still bleeding from the guilt of being tied to the man her best friend once called family.

Last night, talking to Elaine had eased a bit of that heaviness. Elaine’s voice had been steady, full of grace Roselyn didn’t think possible. Elaine didn’t blame her she made sure Roselyn knew that. And now Elaine was coming here, to Silverblade, just to support her. That alone gave Roselyn a strength she didn’t think she still had.

Darius was right. She needed to face this to hear the truth from Calvin, Michael, and Kathy. She couldn’t make a decision blindfolded by fear or emotion. Whatever she chose would hurt, that much was certain. But she would rather face the pain of truth than live with the regret of not knowing.

Roselyn took a deep breath, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and finally looked up at her brother. “Give me a few minutes to get ready,” she said quietly. “Then we can go.”

Darius nodded approvingly. “Take your time. I’ll wait for you outside.”

As the door closed behind him, Roselyn stood still for a long moment. The mirror reflected a woman torn between destiny and loyalty a sister, a friend, and a mate all at war within the same heart.

“Moon Goddess, give me strength,” she whispered softly, before turning to get dressed for the confrontation she could no longer avoid.