The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 87

Back in the small wooden cabin where Roselyn had been staying, the soft rustle of the forest filled the silence between her and Elaine. The fading afternoon light spilled through the window, painting the walls in a warm amber glow. The air was calm, but there was a tension beneath it–a quiet heaviness that seemed to cling to the air ever since Darius had returned from his meeting with Alpha Michael and Council Lucius.

Elaine looked up from where she is sitting the sound of the door opening drew her attention, and when she saw Darius step in, she immediately noticed the tightness around his jaw and the way his shoulders were set. He closed the door behind him and exhaled slowly, as though shedding the weight of everything he had just faced.

“What happened?” Elaine asked gently, searching his face.

Darius sat down across from her, resting his forearms on his knees. “Lucius made his decision,” he began quietly. “He’ll be informing the council about Michael’s and the previous alpha’s actions. But as for you… all that’s left is to officially reject each other.”

Elaine blinked, as though trying to process his words. “So all we need to do is to officially reject each other? I had actually forgotten that we never did,” she said, her tone soft but thoughtful. There was no trace of sorrow in her voice–only a distant acceptance.

“Yes,” Darius said, though his frown deepened. “That’s what Lucius said. He also mentioned that it won’t hurt because your bond is almost nonexistent now.” His brows furrowed further as he spoke. He didn’t like the thought of it–didn’t like the reminder that another man had once shared a bond with her, however faint it might be now. But more than that, he worried.

He didn’t know what would happen if Elaine were to feel any pain from it. The last time she had suffered because of Michael–or this pack–had nearly destroyed her. He couldn’t bear the thought of her being hurt again, not here, not now. This place already carried too many scars for her.

“When can we do it?” Elaine asked, breaking his thoughts.

“It’s up to you, love,” Darius said, softening his tone. “But the sooner, the better. We’re scheduled to leave tomorrow anyway.”

Elaine nodded firmly. “Can we do it now? I want to move forward from this. I want to leave and go back home without any baggage from here,” she said with quiet conviction.

Darius’s chest tightened with pride. Her strength never failed to amaze him. “Alright,” he said with a small nod. “I’ll have Calvin inform Michael. We’ll go there when you’re ready.”

He rose to his feet, brushing his hands on his jeans before stepping outside. The air was cooler now, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Around the cabin, a few of his warriors were busy packing supplies for the journey tomorrow.

“Evan,” he called out when he spotted the man near the car. “Where’s Calvin?”

Evan straightened and turned. “One of the warriors asked him to check the preparations for our departure tomorrow. What do you need, boss?”

“Please go to Alpha Michael,” Darius said firmly. “Tell him that we’ll come to his office later for the official rejection with Elaine.”

“Right away, boss,” Evan replied without hesitation. He grabbed his jacket and jogged off toward the pack house.

Darius stayed there for a moment, watching the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, streaking the sky with shades of red and violet. He took a deep breath before heading back inside.

When he entered the cabin again, Elaine was tidying up the table where Roselyn sat writing in a worn leather notebook. Nathan’s small toys were scattered nearby, though the soft rise and fall of his breathing from the next room told them he had finally fallen asleep for his afternoon nap.

“Love,” Darius said, his tone quieter now, “there’s something else I need to discuss with you while Nathan’s still asleep.”

Elaine looked up immediately, sensing the tension in his voice. “What is it?”

“Michael,” Darius said, his expression darkening. “He wants to meet Nathan. He said he felt some kind of connection to him… and he wants to meet him properly.” His voice was steady, but his eyes burned with restrained anger. The idea of Michael being anywhere near their son made his wolf stir uneasily beneath his skin.

Elaine’s face hardened, though her voice remained calm. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him no,” Darius said without hesitation. “And I told him Nathan is our son.”

Elaine let out a deep breath–part relief, part gratitude. She had never doubted that Darius would protect their family, but hearing him say it aloud brought her peace. “Good,” she said firmly. “Because he is our son. Not Michael’s–ours. If he asks again, I’ll tell him the same thing.”

Darius exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He hadn’t known what he would do if Elaine had wanted to allow it–if she had felt any lingering sense of obligation. But he should have known better. Elaine had long since closed that chapter of her life.

He reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice rougher than he intended.

Elaine smiled faintly. “There’s no need to thank me for choosing what’s right for us.”

Before Darius could reply, Roselyn’s voice broke the quiet. “I’ll come with you when you go to the pack house,” she said suddenly.

Both Darius and Elaine turned to her. “Why?” Darius asked.

“I need to speak with Calvin,” Roselyn replied, her voice calm but serious.

Elaine studied her for a moment, noticing the tension in her posture. “You’ve made your decision then?” she asked gently.

Roselyn nodded. “Yes,” she said, her tone steady though her eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty.

Elaine rose and moved closer, taking Roselyn’s hand and squeezing it reassuringly.” Everything will be okay,” she said softly, her voice carrying the quiet warmth of someone who had learned to trust in time and healing.

Roselyn managed a small smile. “I hope so.”

“Just remember,” Elaine continued, squeezing her hand again, “whatever your decision, we’ll always support you.”

The room fell into a comfortable silence after that. Outside, the sky had darkened to a dusky violet, and the first stars were beginning to appear between the clouds. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, filling the cabin with warmth.

Elaine looked toward the closed door of Nathan’s room, then back to Darius and Roselyn. There was a sense of finality in the air–a quiet understanding that tomorrow would mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

For Elaine, it meant freedom from the last thread that tied her to her past. For Darius, it was the peace of knowing his chose mate and their son would finally be free from the shadow of Michael and the pack that had once wronged them.

And for Roselyn… tomorrow would bring her own choice, one that might change her life in ways none of them could yet foresee.

The night deepened around them, but inside the cabin, there was light–steady, warm, and unyielding, just like the resolve in their hearts.