He didn't know how to answer Maisie's question , so he just stroked her hair and said , " Focus on the concert . Miss Vespera's got just one piece left . " Maisie wasn't happy about it , but since Maximus had spoken , she sighed and gave in . " Fine . " Over in the VIP section , thunderous applause filled the hall . Elias glanced over and noticed Calista seemed lost in thought . He leaned in closer . " You feeling alright ? " he asked quietly . Calista forced a faint smile and shook her head . " It's nothing . " Elias wasn't buying it . Something about her expression seemed off . Worried he'd read too much into it , Calista said softly , " Really , I'm fine . Don't overthink it . " Elias's gaze held a stubborn determination . He didn't back down , silently insisting Calista explain . Calista gave in , lowering her voice . " That pianist soaking up all the praise ? Liora ? That's Vespera - the one you met before . " Vespera's stage name was Liora . Calista had discovered the name from her video profiles . Elias raised his eyebrows in surprise . The pianist wore a veil covering her face except her eyes , but Calista had recognized her . When Elias turned back toward the stage , there was a hint of admiration in his gaze . He had no idea Vespera had intruded into Calista's mate bond - he only saw a brilliantly talented artist shining under the spotlight . Elias leaned in a bit closer , his voice full of admiration . " Vespera studied medicine back then , even got into grad school focusing on surgery . But who knew she'd have this kind of talent beyond medicine ? " As Elias spoke , Calista felt a chill sweep through her entire body . Deep down , she knew he wasn't wrong . Calista maintained her smile , saying calmly , " She really is dazzling . " The words were genuine . After all , she's the she - wolf Maximus chose , she added silently . Elias was caught off guard , pausing for a moment . " You outshine her any day , " he countered . Calista knew he'd misunderstood , thinking she was comparing herself to Vespera . But she wasn't - she was just stating facts . Calista didn't bother explaining . She just gave a faint smile . " Thank you for saying that . But I know where I stand . " Elias was taken aback . Calista had changed so much , which struck him . The bright , driven girl he once knew now carried real insecurity in her eyes . Back in med school , Calista had top grades , a guaranteed grad spot and invitations to major research projects . But she'd chosen marriage instead . Elias's gaze drifted back to the stage . Vespera was radiant - her white gown pooling on the floor , her graceful figure bathed in applause . Yet after a long silence , he looked away and said , " Step out of the spotlight , and we're all just ordinary people . " Hearing that , Calista didn't say much , just smiled gently . She knew regret well . Had she stuck with medicine , she'd have made her mark by now . But fate would not restart forever . 11:29 Rejected by the Alpha I Became the Pack's Queen 80.6 % Chapter 26 When the concert ended , Vespera bowed deeply to the cheering crowd . Thunderous applause shook the entire venue . Calista couldn't help but clap along - she might resent Vespera , but she knew the one at fault was Maximus . With that understanding came release . Calista had let go . Some things just worked out the way they should . As Vespera straightened up , she instinctively looked toward the VIP seats where Maximus and Maisie usually sat , only to find Elias and Calista there instead . She paused , momentarily thrown , but quickly recovered . Her eyes swept the area and soon found Maximus and Maisie nearby . She offered them a warm smile and gestured for them to meet backstage . The crowd gradually dispersed , and Calista and Elias finally stood to leave . Just then , Maisie threw her arms wide and rushed toward the stage . " Miss Vespera ! " Her eyes were full of worship - at school , she held Vespera up as someone worth bragging about , but when it came to her own mother , she couldn't think of anything special to share . " I want to be as pretty as you when I grow up ! " Maisie sprinted onto the stage and threw herself into Vespera's arms . " You'll be even prettier than me . " Vespera hugged her back , gently stroking her hair . The words hit Calista like a physical blow . She froze in place , her legs refusing to move . Elias noticed something was wrong . He stepped in front of Calista , and that's when he saw tears welling up in her eyes . Startled , he bent down slightly . " What's wrong ? " he asked softly . Calista finally broke . Through blurred vision , she looked at Elias , the words tumbling out : " That's my daughter . " Elias was stunned . He turned toward the stage . Vespera , still in her gown , was kneeling down , happily chatting with Maisie . The scene looked so warm - like they truly were mother and daughter . " This morning , that person was ... " Elias began slowly . Calista bit her lip . " My mat - my husband . " She nearly bit her tongue , correcting herself just in time . The words felt even heavier . Elias was even more shocked , but he lowered his head . " I'm sorry . " He had never imagined that the man and child he'd seen at the restaurant were Calista's husband and daughter . ( 0 ) ⊙ 0 ( 0 ) 11:29 Rejected by the Alpha , I Became the Pack's Queen