The Rejected Mate by Lhainey Novel

Retain 112 Summary In this chapter, a tense meeting among allied Alphas concludes with Darius abruptly ending the discussion to attend his Luna's ceremony, highlighting the importance of loyalty and duty within their packs. As the other Alphas depart, only Darius and Michael remain, setting the stage for a confrontation. Michael demands to meet his son, Nathan, which immediately shifts the atmosphere to one charged with underlying conflict and unresolved emotions.

Darius firmly asserts that Nathan is his and Elaine's son, not Michael's, reminding him that when Elaine severed ties with Michael, their connection-and thus any claim to the pup-was broken. The confrontation intensifies as Michael expresses his pain and frustration over being kept in the dark about Nathan's existence, insisting that Nathan should have been his and Elaine's child. Darius counters with accusations of betrayal and cowardice, emphasizing that Michael abandoned Elaine and thus forfeited any rights to them.

The conflict escalates physically and emotionally when Darius, channeling his Alpha power, grabs Michael by the throat, issuing a grave warning to stay away from Nathan. Despite Michael's desperate pleas and explanations about being ordered to mate with another, Darius remains unyielding, stressing that true loyalty to one's mate requires action and sacrifice. He warns Michael to focus on his own pack and son, making it clear that crossing boundaries will have serious consequences.

The chapter closes with Darius leaving Michael alone in the dim office, the weight of their confrontation hanging heavily in the air. Michael's trembling hands and the fading torchlight underscore the deep rift and danger now present between the two Alphas, setting a tense tone for what lies ahead. Chapter 112 " That is all we need to discuss today , gentlemen . I must return to my Luna , or I'll never hear the end of it if I'm late for her ceremony . " Darius's voice cut through the murmurs like a knife , a practiced , genial tone that barely masked the impatience beneath .

They had gathered in his office - a wide room of timber and stone where the allied Alphas came to speak of border lines , trade , and the rising threat of rogues . Today's meeting had been brisk but necessary . reports of increasing raids , wounded scouts , and stolen livestock . Darius had promised reinforcements , new tracking systems , and traps set along the most vulnerable borders . His assurances drew light laughter , claps on backs , the easy camaraderie of leaders who had weathered storms together . Some of those leaders laughed with him out of habit .

The bachelors among them smiled at the idea of running late for a Luna - cheeks oddly flushed with private , hopeful prayers to the Moon Goddess that one day their own mate might cross their path and chastise them for it . The mated Alphas laughed because the sentiment was familiar : the fury of a mate was a power to be reckoned with and a regular occurrence . One by one , the other Alphas rose , exchanged curt nods , and filed out into the night , leaving the hall emptying like a heartbeat slowed .

Torchlight flickered against the banners of allied packs , cast long , dancing shadows that seemed to lean closer as the room's energy thinned . Only Darius and Michael remained . Darius turned clean , the easy smile dropping from his face . " Can I help you with something , Alpha Michael ? " he asked , voice polite but taut . Michael's reply came without preamble . " Yes , Alpha . I want to meet my son ." The simplicity of it made the room seem colder . For a moment Darius's composure wavered ; his features tightened and then reshaped into an expression of controlled ire .

The air around him shimmered faintly - the signature ripple of Alpha aura when a leader drew in power . " Michael ," Darius said slowly , each word measured . " How many times must Elaine and I tell you : Nathan is our son . " Michael's mouth hardened . The steadiness in his posture betrayed a deeper current beginning to circle , restless . - the wolf within him " Or have you forgotten that when a she - wolf severs connection with her mate , the pup is severed with it ? " Darius continued , anger keening at the edges of his tone . " You chose Kathy . You chose to betray and abandon Elaine .

You have no right to either her or Nathan . " " You think I chose ? " Michael snapped , voice low and edged with something like steel . " I did not have a choice but Nathan is my blood - my son and I was not informed of his existence . " - For the first time the ripple became visible : Darius watched as Michael's wolf strained beneath the surface , a presence nudging at the edges of his human restraint . The Alpha's eyes narrowed . Was it the 1/3 < Chapter 112 man or the wolf that stood before him ? " Again , " Darius said , cold as winter river , " you rejected Elaine .

She does not owe you information about her life after you abandoned her . You severed that connection because you were weak a coward who would not fight for his mate . " Michael's hands curled into fists . " I will have my son with me , Alpha . Nathan should have been mine and Elaine's . I did not agree with my human when he chose to betray our mate , I will have him . " At the words , Darius moved . Not with the lazy tempo of a man approaching to console , but with the precision of a predator . In an instant his hand closed around Michael's throat .

The motion was swift , practiced - an Alpha showing the wolf he meant business . Beneath the skin , Darius's own wolf surged to the surface : a spectral mantle of power that made the torches flare , made the very timbers creak " Listen to me well , wolf , " Darius's voice rolled out , no longer merely human . It vibrated with authority , a command that felt like thunder in the bones . " I will not hesitate to end your miserable life right here , right now . " Michael's restraint cracked . A low , wounded whine escaped him - a sound that belonged to the wild as much as to the man .

Darius's grip tightened , a warning steel clasp . " Nathan is mine and Elaine's son . You gave them up the moment you chose another over your mate . You say you did not agree with your human , yet you did nothing . If you truly disagreed , you would have taken control then , as you have now . But you did not . You were silent ." He let the silence grow sharp and long , like a blade turning in a wound . Then , with a measured shove , Darius released Michael . The Alpha stepped back , but the threat had been carved into the air between them .

Michael sagged on his knees for the barest second , a pained sound escaping him as his wolf whimpering retreated . " Stop this nonsense about claiming my son , " Darius said as he straightened , the power in his posture unmistakable . " You have your own pup in your pack - the son you chose with Kathy . You are to be content with what you have . This is the life you chose when you chose Kathy to be your mate ." Michael's voice trembled , the edge of desperation slipping into it . " You know we did not have a choice . Alpha Darius . We were ordered .

" " You keep repeating that as if it absolves you . " Darius's eyes flashed , not cruel but unyielding . " Even if you were ordered to mate with Kathy , you still had choices afterward . You were ordered to begin that bond , perhaps , but no one ordered you to stay . If my father had given me such an order , I would have taken my mate and left . I would have sacrificed being Alpha to keep her ." His words were heavy with a personal creed : an Alpha's first duty , Darius believed , was to his mate . Betrayal of that principle cut deeper than any external threat .

" As I said earlier , I must return to my mate ," Darius finished , voice cooling into practiced courtesy . " This is my final warning , Michael . Stay away from my son . Tend to your pack , protect your Luna , and ensure your own pup's future . Keep your distance from ours . " 2/3 < Chapter 112 Darius turned then , his cloak sweeping across the stone floor like the end of a sentence . In the doorway he paused , as if to make the last line of his warning linger " Be content with what you have chosen , " he said , softer now , but the implication was still a promise - ora threat .

" For your choices bear consequences . " With that , he left Michael alone in the hushed office , torchlight sputtering as if in sympathy Michael remained a moment longer , hands trembling , wolf and man cast in the fading glow of a night that had just become uncertain and dangerous . 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.