Chapter 11 She muttered angrily , grabbed her phone , and called Calista , but no one answered . She called again and again with the same result . Mona was so enraged she hurled her phone to the floor , the screen shattering instantly . Maximus stayed remarkably composed , instinctively drawing Maisie closer in a protective gesture . With one arm around his daughter , he calmly suggested , " We'll take everyone out to dinner . I'll book the best restaurant in Houston . " Mona glared at him and snapped , " We've always done this at home . I already told everyone we were hosting here this year , and now this ? " Her voice grew increasingly shrill . " Has Calista lost her mind ? She's clearly forgotten what being a Luna means - she has no sense of responsibility whatsoever ! " All along , Mona had never approved of Maximus and Calista becoming mates . If not for Maximus's grandfather strongly advocating for this union , she would never have accepted Calista into the Pack . Maisie was so frightened by her grandmother's fury that she clung tightly to Maximus . Maximus paid no attention to Mona's complaints , his mind occupied with racing thoughts . " Has something happened to Calista ? I couldn't reach her yesterday , today she missed Maisie's school event , and now she hasn't even prepared for the birthday dinner - this isn't like her at all . But she's a grown she - wolf , what could have happened ? " Nestled in Maximus's embrace , Maisie mumbled , " Mom deliberately didn't make dinner today and didn't come to school . She just wanted to embarrass me in front of everyone . She's not a good mother . Vespera would never hurt my feelings like this . I don't like Mom anymore . " Calista hadn't been back to her parents ' pack in six months . At this moment , an unspoken tension permeated the air in the room . The dining table was laden with dishes - almost all of them Calista's favorites . When Calista had wanted to become mates with Maximus , her entire pack had opposed the union . But she'd held firm in her stance , even threatening to leave the pack . In the end , though reluctant , they had relented . However , after the wedding , Maximus had never accompanied her to visit her family not even once . Calista's Alpha father - Harlan Vance - sat expressionless , while her Luna mother - Maggie - had reddened eyes , constantly dabbing at them with tissues . Jasper's displeasure was equally obvious . Lucy tried to ease the tension but didn't know what to say . Poppy quietly observed everyone's expressions . Just as Calista rose to apologize to her family , Jasper interrupted her . " Shouldn't you be preparing for Zeke Gray's birthday tomorrow ? What brings you back here instead of waiting on his family ? " His voice dripped with sarcasm , yet Calista merely smiled faintly , then responded calmly , " Jasper , from now on , I'll only celebrate Dad's birthday . " Jasper was taken aback . Though concern flickered in his heart , his voice remained cold . " What's this new game of yours ? " 11:26 Rejected by the Alpha , I Became the Pack's Queen 32.3 % Chapter 11 " I've decided to dissolve my bond with Maximus , " Calista announced . The room fell silent , all eyes fixed on her in shock . Lucy hesitated before breaking the silence , her eyes full of concern . " What about Maisie ? " Calista managed a weary smile . " Maisie doesn't want to live with me , " she said softly . " I've already decided to give up custody . " The words left a bitter taste - what mother would willingly give up her child ? But every memory of Maisie now held only pain . Perhaps letting go was best for them both . Lucy was a mother too . She acutely felt Calista's anguish . Besides , they all knew how much Calista loved Maisie . " To give up custody like this , she must be heartbroken beyond words , " Lucy thought . Maggie choked up , tears spilling from her eyes . Lucy handed her a tissue , then turned to Calista . " You were right to leave him . When you're ready , you'll find someone who truly cares about you . " Calista smiled faintly . " We'll see . I'm not ready to think about that yet . " She knew the pain of being betrayed by a mate - there was no need to make the same mistake twice . Lucy didn't press further . Instead , she picked up a serving spoon and filled Calista's plate generously . " You'll always be our family , and this will always be your home . " Poppy chimed in cheerfully , " Aunt Calista , when I grow up , I'll take care of you too . " Harlan had remained silent the entire time , quietly peeling shrimp . Then he pushed the plate toward Calista . Seeing this , Calista's eyes immediately welled up . During her five years with the Gray family , her efforts had never been cherished . Yet here , surrounded by her own family , they valued her unconditionally . Calista looked down at her plate as tears silently dropped onto the food . Halfway through dinner , Poppy suddenly pointed at the coffee table behind them . " Aunt Calista , your phone's lighting up . " Calista looked over and saw it was Maximus calling . She never blocked anyone's number . Those missed calls were simply because her phone had been on silent . The moment Calista answered , her face turned deathly pale . She responded stiffly , " I'll be right there . " ( 0 ) 11:26 ( 0 ) Rejected by the Alpha I Became the Park's Queen