The Rejected Mate (Elaine and Michael) novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Sometime later, Evan returned to the cabin, his footsteps uneven against the wooden floorboards. His expression was tight, the usual calm replaced by something raw- anxious disturbed, and shadowed by a feeling Darius couldn’t quite name..

Darius looked up from where he stood by the window, arms crossed, his eyes narrowing.” What happened to you?”

Evan hesitated at the door, his hand lingering on the knob as if he might turn and walk right back out. “Nothing,” he said after a beat too long. “I spoke to Alpha Michael. He said… anytime Elaine is ready, you can go back to his office to do the official rejection.” His tone was clipped, his words mechanical. But his eyes – they darted, unfocused, haunted.

Darius frowned. “Are you sure you’re alright, Evan?”

“Yes. Yes, boss. I’m okay.” Evan forced a thin smile, one that never reached his eyes. “Do you still need me here? I’ll help the warriors finish their preparations for our departure tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” Darius said slowly, studying him. “You can go do that. We’ll head to the Alpha’s office and come back once it’s done.”

Evan nodded stiffly, as though every movement cost him effort. “Will Nathan be coming with you?”

“No. Marcus will stay with him,” Darius replied.

“Alright then,” Evan said softly, his voice fading as he turned away. The door creaked open, letting in a gust of cool mountain air before closing again behind him.

Darius’s gaze followed his retreating figure through the cabin window, his instincts prickling. He’d known Evan and Marcus since they were boys. They’d trained together, fought together, built loyalty through scars and sweat. And because of that, Darius knew when something was wrong.

Something was wrong.

What could’ve happened between the short walk from the cabin to the pack house and back?

He shook his head, drawing in a deep breath. One problem at a time.

Turning away, he went to where Elaine and Roselyn waited. Both women were silent, their faces taut with the same unspoken heaviness that filled the room.

“Evan said Michael’s expecting us,” Darius told them. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Elaine stood, brushing invisible dust from her jeans. Her voice was calm, but her eyes betrayed exhaustion. “We can go now. I want this over with we can leave tomorrow without delays.”

“Alright, love,” Darius murmured.

Before they could step out, a small voice piped up behind them.

“Daddy, where are you going?”

Nathan stood near the doorway, clutching his little toy wolf, his wide brown eyes filled with curiosity.

“To the Alpha’s office, bud,” Darius said, crouching down to meet his son’s gaze.

“Can I come with?”

“Sorry, bud. Not this time. We’re having a discussion with the Alpha – kids aren’t allowed,” Darius explained gently.

Nathan’s lower lip trembled. “But, Daddy, I can be really quiet. I promise. I’ll be a good boy. I just want to go with you.”

Elaine knelt beside him, smoothing his hair. “Nathan, listen to your daddy. Remember, some meetings are only for grown–ups. And besides,” she added softly, “this isn’t our pack. We have to follow their rules.”

Nathan blinked up at her, tears pooling in his lashes. “But tomorrow… are we going home with Daddy?”

Darius felt the question like a blade through his chest. He forced a smile and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Yes, bud. Tomorrow, we’re going home.”

That seemed to satisfy him. Nathan nodded solemnly, hugging his toy closer.

As they stepped outside, the late afternoon sun was already dipping low, painting the forest in muted gold. The wind carried the scent of pine and the faint hum of the pack house in the distance.

—

The three of them Darius, Elaine, and Roselyn – walked the narrow dirt path toward the main building. Each footstep seemed heavier than the last, weighed down by what awaited them.

At the pack house entrance, Michael stood waiting, his posture firm, his expression unreadable. But the moment his eyes landed on Roselyn, his brows furrowed in confusion.

“Roselyn?” he asked.

“She wants to speak with Calvin as well,” Darius explained evenly.

Michael nodded once, then closed his eyes briefly as his lips moved in silent communication. A faint flicker of power rippled through the air – the unmistakable pulse of an Alpha link.

“He’ll be here in a few minutes,” Michael said finally, turning back to Roselyn. “You can use the Luna’s office to talk.”

Roselyn only nodded, her face unreadable as she turned toward the adjoining hall, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished wood.

And just like that, the air thickened again – heavy with the scent of endings.

–

Moments later, footsteps echoed in the corridor calm, deliberate, confident. Calvin appeared in the doorway, his expression neutral, but his eyes flickered briefly when they met Roselyn’s.

“Michael,” he greeted his Alpha first, then turned slightly toward the others. “Darius. Elaine.” His gaze settled on Roselyn last, lingering just a second too long. “You wanted to see me?”

Roselyn nodded, her hands clasped in front of her. “Yes. Can we talk in private?”

Michael gave a brief nod. “You can use the Luna’s office.” He gestured toward the hall. “No one will disturb you there.”

As Calvin followed her, the air between them seemed to crackle with something sharp quite hostility, but far from peace. The door closed quietly behind them, leaving Darius, Elaine, and Michael in tense silence.

Inside the Luna’s office, the scent of lavender lingered faintly – soothing, but unable to touch the storm brewing beneath Roselyn’s calm exterior. She stood by the window, arms folded, looking out over the pack grounds as Calvin closed the door behind them.

“So,” Calvin said, breaking the silence. “What did you want to talk about?”