The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 83

When Michael and Kathy returned to his office, the air between them was heavy with unspoken tension. The room was quiet except for the faint ticking of the old clock on the wall – a sound that suddenly felt too loud, too sharp against the silence. Michael walked straight to his desk, his movements deliberate, trying to keep his composure. He picked up the phone and took a steadying breath before dialing.

“Council Lucius, this is Alpha Michael of Silverblade,” he said firmly when the line connected. “I would like to request a meeting with you to discuss a situation that has occurred within my pack. I apologize for the sudden request, but it’s something that needs to be addressed right away.”

Lucius’s calm, deep voice came through the receiver. “Of course, Alpha. Can you tell me what this is regarding?”

Michael hesitated. His gaze fell briefly on Kathy, who stood quietly by the window, her hands clasped together tightly as if she could squeeze away the anxiety building inside her. “It’s about my mating,” Michael finally replied, his tone controlled but tense. “I’m sorry, but I can’t give more details right now. It’s not something I wish to discuss over the phone.”

“I understand,” Lucius said after a pause that felt longer than it should have. “Expect me tomorrow before lunch.”

“Thank you, Council Lucius.” Michael ended the call and slowly set the phone down, exhaling as if he had been holding his breath for minutes.

–

“Michael… are you sure about this?” Kathy’s voice broke the silence, filled with hesitation. She turned to face him, her eyes clouded with worry. “If what happened comes out if the Council learns the truth – your father will be in serious trouble. What he did… ordering us to disregard your bond with Elaine and continue with our mating… it will all be questioned.”

“I don’t care about him,” Michael said sharply, his jaw tightening. “What he did to us was wrong. If he had just let us make our own decisions if he’d let us speak to Elaine before everything fell apart – maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

He turned away, pacing toward the window where the late afternoon light cast long shadows across the room. “Maybe Calvin wouldn’t be living in constant fear of losing his mate if Roselyn decides not to accept him. Maybe you wouldn’t have to hide my mark under your clothes every day… as if it’s something shameful. A mark that should have been a symbol of pride, of unity – but instead, it became a reminder of failure and betrayal.”

Kathy’s eyes glistened with tears. She looked down, her hand instinctively brushing over the faint mark on her neck. Every time she saw it in the mirror, she could still hear Elaine’s voice broken and cold- uttering those last words that haunted her. The mark was more than a bond. It was their punishment, their eternal reminder of the pup itl we had taken from Elaine, and the trust they had destroyed.

A knock broke through the heavy silence. Michael turned, his expression hardening as Calvin entered the room. His clothes were dusty from patrol, and the tension in his posture said more than his words could.

“I heard Elaine is here,” Calvin said, his voice low but edged with unease.

Michael nodded. “Yes. She’s here for Roselyn. I think she plans to talk to her about your mating.”

Calvin exhaled, the sound trembling. The worry etched into his face was unmistakable. “So I have to be ready… to be rejected,” he said quietly, his eyes dropping to the floor.

“What do you mean?” Kathy asked, stepping forward. “Did Roselyn say something?”

Calvin shook his head. “No. But think about it, Kathy – after everything Elaine went through here… after what we did to her – do you really think she’ll tell Roselyn to accept me? To stay with a mate from this pack?” His voice cracked slightly. “If I were her, I wouldn’t.”

Kathy frowned and moved closer to him, her tone firm but kind. “Elaine isn’t like that. She’s fair, Calvin. Whatever else happened, she’s not someone who lets bitterness cloud her judgment. She won’t let her pain decide Roselyn’s future – not if she can help it.”

―

Calvin looked up, his eyes full of uncertainty. He wanted to believe her, but doubt was a heavy weight on his chest. He sighed and murmured a quiet prayer to the Moon Goddess – for Roselyn’s heart, for Elaine’s forgiveness, and for strength to face whatever came next.

“So what happens now?” Calvin asked, eager to change the topic before the silence suffocated them all.

“I’ve contacted Council Lucius,” Michael replied, his voice calm but laced with determination. “He’ll be here tomorrow.”

Calvin’s eyes widened. “You… called Lucius? Why?”

—

“When I saw Elaine earlier,” Michael said slowly, “I felt something the bond. It’s faint, but it’s still there. When I marked Kathy, I felt it break… or I thought I did. But it’s not gone. I want to know why. I need answers.”

Calvin stared at him, disbelief mixing with fear. “But if you tell Lucius what happened – your father-”

“I don’t care!” Michael snapped, his voice echoing across the room. His fists clenched at his sides. “I stopped caring about my father’s pride a long time ago. He made his choices, and I made mine. But I won’t let his mistakes define this pack any longer.”

The room fell silent again. Outside, the wind whispered against the windowpanes, carrying with it the faint scent of rain.

For the first time in years, Michael felt the stirrings of something he had buried long ago the need to face the truth, no matter the cost.

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