The Rejected Mate by Lhainey Novel

Chapter 101 - " What is that about , Michael ? " Kathy's voice sliced through the stillness of the Alpha's study sharp , cold , and measured . The air inside the room was thick with tension , the faint scent of pine smoke from the hearth mixing with the heavy musk of power that always seemed to radiate from him when he was agitated . Michael stood by the tall window , the night sky casting a faint silver glow across his broad shoulders . Outside , the moon was high - a reminder of what they were , of what they once could have been . His fists clenched at his sides .

" I just want to meet my son , Kathy ," he said , his voice low but weighted with years of restraint . - Kathy's eyes flickered toward the small boy curled up on the couch - Leo , their son . Her expression softened briefly before she turned to the omega standing by the door . " Take Leo to his room , " she said quietly . " Now . " When the door closed behind them , the air between husband and wife thickened , the silence humming with the tension of words that could no longer be unsaid . - " What about our son , Michael ?

" Kathy demanded , stepping forward , her composure cracking just enough to reveal the hurt beneath . " We agreed - we agreed not to interfere before Elaine came here . You promised me ! What are you trying to do now ? We sacrificed everything for this pack - for unity , for peace , for the future of our people . And now you're going to risk all that ? " Michael turned , his eyes gleaming with restrained pain and defiance . " You don't understand , Kathy . My son was hidden from me . He's my son the child of my fated mate . I already sacrificed her ... but I cannot sacrifice him .

" The words hung in the air like a blade . Kathy's breath hitched . - we " Then what happens to our son ? " she asked , voice trembling with something between anger and desperation . " Michael , Elaine has moved on . Why can't you ? She made her choice made ours . She wanted us to move on too , remember ? She said it to your face . " Her eyes glistened , but she refused to let the tears fall . " I've tried to be happy . To be content with what we have . Because we both accepted your father's command . I lost my Elaine because of it , Michael . My own sister !

And now you want to destroy everything we've fought to protect ? You'd risk the peace and unity of the pack - all for what ? To chase ghosts ? " Michael's jaw flexed . He could feel his wolf pacing inside him , restless and growling , its rage 1/4 clawing at the edges of his control . " I know how it feels to lose your fated, " Kathy continued , her tone softer now but heavy with grief . " My fated rejected me the moment he found out who I was . I know what that does to a person . But that ship has sailed , Michael . We can't go back . " He turned away , his shoulders tense .

The firelight flickered across his face , catching the haunted look in his eyes . " But don't you ever wonder , Kathy ? " His voice was quieter now , raw . " What our lives would be like if we hadn't followed my father's orders ? If I hadn't let him dictate who I should love , who I should lead ? I'd still have my fated mate . You'd still have yours . We wouldn't be living this lie . " - He exhaled shakily , dragging a hand through his hair . " My wolf doesn't stop whispering her name . He doesn't stop thinking about him about Nathan . There's this ... pull . A constant ache .

It's like he knows . Like he feels his blood out there , calling to him . " Kathy stepped closer , her voice trembling but firm . " Michael , you control your wolf - he does not control you . Think of the pack . Think of me . Think of Leo ." Her eyes searched his face . " If Alpha Darius discovers you're plan to approach Nathan- if he thinks you're threatening his mate or his child - he'll cut our alliance . And if that happens , the other packs will follow . No one in their right mind will wage war against the warrior pack . You know that . We'll lose everything we've built .

" Michael's chest rose and fell heavily . His wolf snarled inside him , unwilling to yield . " Nathan should be calling us Daddy ," the voice growled in his mind , deep and furious . " He should have been ours . Elaine should have been ours . " " Enough! " Michael hissed under his breath , pressing a hand to his temple . His breathing turned ragged . " We have to think of the pack , " he muttered to himself . " We've sacrificed too much to destroy it now . " He forced the beast back , locking the raging part of himself deep in the recesses of his mind until the trembling stopped .

Finally , he looked up at Kathy . His voice was rough but steady . " You're right . We can't afford another complication right now . We'll focus on the council on their investigation . " - Kathy exhaled a long , shaky sigh of relief , her shoulders slumping slightly as the tension drained from her body . " Good ," she said quietly . " Let's deal with the council first . I'm sure we'll hear from our parents 2/4 < Chapter 101 - +25 Points > soon once the elders reach out about the inquiry . And ...

" she hesitated , her expression tightening , " we'll have to attend Elaine's Luna ceremony next week . " Michael said nothing . His gaze drifted once more to the window , where the moonlight poured like liquid silver across the floor . He could almost see Elaine in that light - the way her hair caught the glow , the way her eyes used to soften when she looked at him . He swallowed hard , his wolf stirring again beneath his skin , whispering in a voice that was both pain and longing . She was ours .

And though Michael said nothing aloud , his heart echoed the same truth never admit , not even to his wife . - a truth he could Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.