Chapter 16 That night at eleven , Mona finally saw off the last of the guests . She pulled out her phone to scroll through her Facebook feed , and happened to see a nine - photo post from Calista . The warm , harmonious scene of the Vance family gathering made Mona visibly irritated . Today was her mate's birthday too , yet Calista hadn't come home - hadn't even sent a single word of blessing . Every year , Calista would spend two straight days in the kitchen preparing the dinner party . This year ? She'd gone to her parents ' pack house instead . Mona grew even more furious and stormed upstairs . Without knocking , she barged into Maximus's study and slammed her phone down in front of him . " Tell me what exactly is the meaning of this ? " she demanded sharply . Maximus picked up the phone and glanced at it , frowning in confusion . " What's wrong ? " Mona planted both hands on the desk and leaned forward , glaring at him . " Today is your father's birthday . She didn't even send a blessing - just ran off to her parents ' house . Has she lost her mind ? " Maximus had no patience for these domestic trivialities . He still had company work to handle and pack affairs to manage . He pushed the phone back to her , saying coldly , " Don't you go back to your parents ' house all the time too ? " As far as he was concerned , there was nothing wrong with Calista visiting her family . Mona's anger flared hotter . " How is that the same ? When you and Calista held your mating ceremony , not a single member of the Vance pack showed up ! Wasn't that obvious enough ? She'd already severed ties with her pack . Now that they've seen the Gray family's territory and influence constantly expanding , they've suddenly welcomed her back to butter you up - they definitely want something ! " Maximus's brows drew together , but he ignored her rapid - fire rant . " They must want something from you . I'm telling you - don't you dare lift a finger to help . They're a pack of thankless ingrates . If they want your help , fine - but only if they get on their knees and beg for it - not once , but twice . Otherwise , forget it . " Maximus had heard enough . Leaning back , he said , " The Silvermoon pack's influence isn't that significant . They have no reason to seek me out . Mom , you can go now . " " You can't be sure of that . What if what they're after is - oh , I don't know - money ? " Mona wanted to say more , but seeing Maximus's expression darken , she wisely shut her mouth and stormed out of the study in a huff . Left alone in his study , Maximus had completely lost interest in work . He leaned back in his chair , rubbing his temples , and only then noticed the caption on Calista's post - realizing with surprise that today was her father's birthday too . They'd been mated for five years , and he'd never known . Come to think of it , he knew almost nothing about her - didn't even know what she'd studied in college . Back then , it had been nothing more than an accident . They'd slept together , he'd marked her , she'd gotten pregnant . His grandfather had forced him to " take responsibility , " and so - he'd taken her as his mate . 11:27 Rejected by the Alpha . I Became the Pack's Queen 48.4 % Chapter 16 This arranged mating could go one of two ways . He didn't particularly care . With her or without her , his life remained the same . " Past , present , future - anything she has or hasn't done means absolutely nothing to me , " he thought . On Monday , Calista was back at the small - town school . She had just stepped into the medical office when Principal Jett rushed in . " Dr. Vance - you're finally here ! I've been waiting for you . " He was clearly anxious , beads of sweat forming on his forehead . Calista frowned . " What's wrong ? Did something happen to one of the children ? " She was already reaching for the first aid kit , but Jett grabbed her arm . " No - it's just that there's a charity fundraiser this afternoon . I heard a prominent businessman from Houston is coming . One of the second - grade teachers just went on maternity leave , and we're short - staffed . I was hoping you could help supervise her class - just take the kids to the playground, stay with them until the event is over , then bring them back . " Relieved , Calista said , " Ah , that's all ? Sure , I'll take them this afternoon . " At two o'clock , the school called assembly . Calista , as promised , led Grade 2 to the playground . Once they were lined up , she stood at the back , waiting for things to start . It was autumn , the small - town air pleasantly mild . Gusts rattled through the orange leaves , sending them skittering across the ground . rough Jett announced the start of the event , and as applause rippled through the crowd , a tall figure emerged from behind the school building . When Calista's vision cleared , she recognized him - Maximus . ( 0 ) ( 0 ) 11:27