The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 76

Roselyn’s eyes moved from Michael to Kathy, then finally to Calvin. The room was heavy with silence, the kind that carried the weight of years of secrets and pain. She saw the truth behind their actions–the conflict, the helplessness, the shame. They had been trapped by duty and command, forced to stand by while the person they all loved suffered.

She understood that now. But understanding didn’t erase the hurt.

Roselyn’s gaze lingered on Calvin. The man who was supposed to be her fated mate. The one whose loyalty had once been commanded away from love itself.

“I understand that you were forced to abandon Elaine, Calvin,” Roselyn said quietly, her tone steady but her voice trembled just slightly at the edges. “I can see that you had no choice back then. But…” she swallowed hard, eyes glistening, “…how can I be sure that you won’t abandon me too?”

Calvin’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with regret and pain.

“What will happen to me,” Roselyn continued, her words spilling out faster now, “if Michael orders you to leave me? To turn your back on me for the sake of the pack, just like before? How can I trust that you’ll do something different this time?”

Her words hit him harder than any physical blow could.

Calvin tried to reach her but, then stopped, afraid that getting too close might push her away. “Roselyn,” he said softly but firmly, “I already spoke with Michael. If what it takes for you to trust me–if what it takes for you to believe in my commitment–is for me to leave this pack, then I will. I’ll request to be transferred to Crescent Moon.”

Roselyn’s eyes widened. She blinked, trying to process his words.

“What?” she whispered, stunned. “Calvin, you can’t… I couldn’t ask you to do that. You’re the Beta of Silverblade. This is your home, your life, your duty-”

“That doesn’t matter,” Calvin interrupted gently but with a fierce conviction in his tone. “None of that matters compared to you. You are what matters, Roselyn.”

He took another step closer, his voice low but steady. “I was forced to stand by while my sister–my own sister–was destroyed by the choices made in this pack. I was ordered to stay silent, to do nothing, and I obeyed. That obedience became my greatest shame. I will never feel that kind of regret again. Not ever.”

He looked at her with eyes that burned with sincerity and remorse. “If I had been stronger,

Elaine wouldn’t have felt so alone. I would’ve been there for her–supporting her, protecting her, even if it meant defying orders. But I didn’t. I failed her. I will not fail you too. I swear it, Roselyn. I’ll never turn my back on you, not for anyone, not for anything.”

His words struck something deep inside her–a warmth, a longing–but it was tangled in the thorns of fear. Roselyn’s eyes softened, but tears welled up as she spoke.

“Calvin, I…” she exhaled shakily, looking away for a moment. “I need time to think about it. I understand what you’re saying, and maybe I even believe that you mean it right now. But you have to understand something too. It’s not easy for me to just blindly trust.’

Her voice faltered, filled with quiet pain. “You said you were forced to abandon Elaine. You didn’t choose it, I know that. But that doesn’t erase what happened. How can I believe that if someone–anyone–orders you again, you won’t obey? There will always be that fear in the back of my mind, whispering that when the time comes, you’ll walk away.”

Calvin’s jaw tightened as he fought to steady his emotions. The sight of tears glistening on her lashes cut through him like a blade.

“I understand,” he said finally, his voice low but resolute. “You have every right to doubt me. You have every right to take your time. I just want you to know one thing, Roselyn–there is nothing I won’t do to earn your trust. Nothing. You don’t have to decide now. I’ll give you all the time you need.”

He slowly lifted a hand and gently cupped her face. His thumb brushed away a tear that had escaped down her cheek.

“I’ll prove it to you,” he whispered.

Then, without another word, Calvin stood up and walked toward the door. Roselyn stood frozen, watching him go. Each step he took felt like a pull in her chest, like something fragile was breaking inside her. When the door closed softly behind him, she finally let her tears fall freely.

“Shh, Roselyn… it’s okay. I’m here,” Darius murmured, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned into her brother’s chest, burying her face against him as she sobbed quietly.

Kathy watched them, her heart twisting painfully. Seeing Roselyn in tears tore at her because it reminded her of Elaine–of the night she couldn’t comfort her own sister, the night she had to turn away. She had been one of the reasons Elaine suffered, and no amount of remorse could change that.

Michael sitting beside Kathy, silent, his expression unreadable but his eyes heavy with guilt. He couldn’t meet Roselyn’s gaze, couldn’t even find the words to offer comfort. Everything that had happened–the past, the pain, the broken bonds–it all came back to him. To the decisions that had destroyed one sister and now threatened another.

Darius finally lifted his head, his expression hardening with quiet resolve as he looked toward Michael and Kathy.

“I can’t believe Alpha Efrein did all of that,” Darius said, his voice calm but edged with restrained anger. “But I can see now that you’re telling the truth. All of you.”

He paused, his jaw tightening slightly. “Still, you should know–Elaine will find out about this. Sooner or later, and when it does…” He exhaled slowly. “I don’t know how she’ll react.”

A flicker of worry passed through Kathy’s face, and Michael’s hands clenched at his sides.

Darius continued, his tone shifting slightly. “Speaking of Elaine… she’s coming here. She told me she wants to be with Roselyn.”

The words hit the room like a thunderclap.

Michael and Kathy froze, staring at him in shock.

“What?” Michael asked, his voice tight with disbelief. “Elaine… is coming here?”

“Yes,” Darius said firmly. “She’s part of my pack now, and I want to make one thing clear, Alpha Michael. While we’re here, I expect no one–no one–to approach her unless she wants it. She’s not here for the past. She’s here for Roselyn. I won’t tolerate anyone trying to interfere with that.”

The warning in his tone was unmistakable.

Michael exchanged a look with Kathy–equal parts fear, guilt, and something that looked almost like longing. The mention of Elaine’s name still hurt, even after all the years.

Kathy’s lips trembled as she whispered under her breath, “Elaine… is coming back…”

And for the first time in years, both she and Michael felt their carefully contained guilt begin to stir again–because soon, they would have to face the very person they had hurt the most.