Maximus pressed his forehead , then called Liam . " Find a driver in town . We're leaving now . " He'd rather spend the night jostling in the back of the Rolls than try to breathe in here . Out in the school's parking lot , Calista got into her own car . She folded down the back seats , spread a sheet , and lay down . October wasn't cold - a thin blanket was enough . She'd barely been lying down for ten minutes when she heard Liam talking to Maximus outside . " Alpha , Miss Vespera has brought Miss Maisie . They should arrive any moment now . " Soon , headlights flashed twice in the distance . As the car stopped , a childish voice rang out : " Daddy ... " Maisie jumped into Maximus's arms , clinging to him like an octopus . " How did you get here ? " he asked , his gaze shifting to Vespera Thorne , who had just emerged from the car . Before Vespera could answer , Maisie poked his cheek . " Maisie missed Daddy , and Aunt Vespera missed Daddy too . She kept saying you definitely couldn't stand the accommodations here and that we had to come pick you up . " Maximus smiled slightly . " Aren't you worried about being late for school tomorrow ? " " I'm more worried about Daddy not sleeping well . " This made Maximus think of Calista - she never thought about such things . " Don't stand here , " Vespera suggested . " Let's get in the car . " Maximus carried Maisie into the car and closed the door . Then he turned to face Vespera . " Thank you for coming . " Under the streetlight , Vespera's luminous face glowed golden , her eyes so captivating it was hard to look away . Calista watched from inside the car , feeling like they were about to kiss any second - perhaps remembering Maisie was there , they didn't move . It wasn't until the car drove away that Calista's tears suddenly welled up . Her wolf remained silent , equally feeling the pain of being abandoned by her mate . Letting go was real . But so was the ache it left behind . 2 The next day happened to be the two - month anniversary of Calista Vance's arrival in the small town , and also the day she could finally return to Houston . To thank her , Mr. Jett held a small farewell gathering at the school . Calista hated goodbyes , but life was like that - every stop had its own story to write . 11:28 Rejected by the Alpha , I Became the Pack's Queen 64.5 % Chapter 21 She drove back to Houston , first going to Moon Mark Manor to pack some important belongings , then had them shipped to Vance Manor . She'd lived at Moon Mark Manor for over two years , and the things accumulated during that time could fill a truck - but she only took what truly mattered . At least leaving the Gray family didn't mean she had nowhere to go . The next morning , she was at the hospital early . The director had a surgery and asked her to assist . She was scrubbing in and disinfecting when a surprised voice suddenly came from beside her . " Calista ? " Calista was in surgical scrubs , wearing a mask and cap with only her eyes showing . She turned toward the man , blinking before it registered . " Elias ? " Elias Reed also had only his eyes visible , a smile in them . " That's right , it's me . " " You work here ? " she asked , still somewhat taken aback . " Just in for a consult , " Elias said . " Got a minute at lunch ? Let's grab a bite . " She didn't miss a beat . " Sure thing . Lunch is on me . " He smiled under the mask . " I'll catch you after the surgery . " At noon , Calista chose a restaurant near the hospital . She remembered Elias couldn't handle very spicy food , so she ordered accordingly . When the food arrived , she ladled him a bowl of cream of mushroom soup . " It's been a long time , Elias . " He nodded his thanks and accepted it . " It has . How have you been ? " Calista didn't delve into her life , only saying , " Pretty good . " His gaze flicked to the faint mark on her ring finger . He paused . " You got married ? " " Mm . " Calista didn't deny it . " And I have a very lovely little girl . " Elias said warmly , " Congrats . But how come we never got an invitation ? " Calista lowered her gaze . " We never had a wedding . So no guests to invite . " Elias sensed she didn't want to discuss her private life and stopped pressing . About halfway through the meal , he couldn't help but ask , " So , what's your specialty these days ? " Calista sipped her soup slowly before replying , " Pediatric surgery . " After graduation , she hadn't continued with advanced studies , choosing instead to prioritize her role as Luna and as a mother . Many of their classmates had gone on for further study - master's , PhDs , even abroad . Back then , Calista had graduated at the top of their year . Now , she was the one who'd fallen the farthest behind . 11:28 Rejected by the Alpha , I Became the Pack's Queen 65.6 % Chapter 21 Elias , meanwhile , had earned both his master's and doctorate , specializing in neurosurgery . He was now an authority on primary brain tumors - his name searchable across medical journals , his list of successful surgeries too long to count . With his current standing , he was easily in the top tier of the field . Calista could have taken that path with him . She'd had the offer , the chance . Instead , she'd chosen another road - to become Maximus's mate . And as it turned out , her choice had been wrong . " Pediatrics requires enormous patience , " he said quietly . " Especially pediatric surgery . " Elias's words interrupted her thoughts . Calista's lips curved slightly upward , but there was a trace of gloom in her expression . " I only just made attending . Still just a community doctor . " He looked at her . The lack of confidence in her eyes touched something in him . " As long as you're willing to start , it's never too late . With your abilities , you'll definitely excel beyond anyone else . " Calista just smiled again without responding . After the meal , Calista went to settle the bill , only to hear the server tell her , " The gentleman you were with already paid . " She blinked and turned to Elias . " I said it was my treat . Why did you pay ? " He was smiling at her , about to answer , when a surprised female voice came from behind them . " Elias ? " They both turned around - and there stood Vespera , with Maximus right behind her and Maisie trailing after them . ( 0 ) 900