Maximus's face darkened instantly . When Calista finally calmed down enough to speak , Maximus responded coldly , " Whatever it is , we'll discuss it next month . " Before she could respond , the line went dead . Calista could only grip the silent phone tightly in her hand . This was classic Maximus - cutting her off , leaving her screaming into the void . Five years of this had hollowed her out . Leaving Maximus was her only way out . But she had to fight for custody of Maisie . Even if Maisie seemed to favor Vespera now , those countless nights soothing a fussy baby still meant something . That bond couldn't be broken so easily . The moment Calista made up her mind , a Rolls - Royce suddenly pulled up at the manor gates . Through the windshield , she saw Maximus in the driver's seat with Vespera in the passenger seat , holding a bouquet of flowers . Maximus met Calista's gaze through the glass , the air between them thick with silence . In the past , Calista was too afraid to confront Vespera's presence . Now , she couldn't even bring herself to care . After an agonizing silence , Maximus finally stepped out of the car . He completely ignored Calista and walked straight over to open Vespera's door . But Calista shouted , " Maximus , we need to talk . " Maximus kept moving , his hand already on the door handle . Calista grabbed his wrist . " Sleep with every woman in this city if you want , " she spat through clenched teeth , " but that she - wolf needs to stay the hell away from my daughter ! " Maximus finally looked at her . His gaze was cold , his voice low and dismissive . " Vespera would make a better mother than you . " With that , he shoved her aside and opened the car door . Calista stood frozen , the meaning of his words finally sinking in - he actually wanted Vespera to replace her as Maisie's mother ? The car door opened . Maximus held it with one hand and reached out to Vespera with the other . Their hands touched just as Calista turned around . Seeing this , she should have felt heartbroken , but instead she felt strangely calm - only her wolf let out a small whimper of pain . 11:24 Rejected by the Alpha , I Became the Pack's Queen 12.9 % Chapter 5 Right now , all she could think about was confronting Maximus . " Maximus , what the hell did you mean by that ? " Vespera stepped out of the car , her hand still looped through Maximus's arm . Their long shadows blended together under the moonlight . Maximus acted as if he hadn't heard her and walked straight toward Moon Mark Manor with Vespera . Calista had lost count of how many times she'd been ignored like this . Her heart had already taken too many blows , but when it came to her daughter , she couldn't back down . Before she realized what she was doing , her hand had clamped down hard on Maximus's wrist . " Maximus ! " Her growl tore through the night air . " You owe me an explanation . " Maximus finally stopped . He turned around , his gaze sharp and cold , radiating the overwhelming pressure of an alpha . With a casual twist , he effortlessly freed his wrist . " You're busy with work , " he said coldly , " and Maisie's still young . She needs care . When you're pregnant again , Vespera will take care of Maisie . " He was always like this - autocratic , turning decisions into commands , never consulting anyone . But this time , Calista would no longer tolerate it . When she had first planned her training in the neighboring city , she had personally chosen a nanny for Maisie . It wasn't until last month that she learned Maximus had fired the nanny long ago . During the six months she was away , Vespera had moved into Moon Mark Manor , and the three of them had been living together like a happy family . Before , Calista had always held back from making a scene , clinging to a shred of hope that " perhaps he still respects me as his mate . " But now , even her daughter was being taken from her . She couldn't simply walk away . Calista's composure shattered completely . " I can raise my own child ! " Her wolf , rare in its defiance , bared its teeth at Maximus deep within her mind . " We don't need any outsiders . * Maximus brushed aside Calista's protests like they were nothing . " The matter is decided , " he stated flatly , his tone leaving no room for argument . Calista's patience finally ran out , her voice rising sharply : " I said I will take care of my own daughter ! " The air grew thick with tension . Noticing the rising conflict , Vespera , who had been quietly standing behind Maximus , gently stepped in . " Maximus , maybe you two should talk this out ? I'll go see how Maisie is doing . " Seeing Maximus nod in agreement , she turned toward Moon Mark Manor . Just then , Calista's sharp voice rang out : " Vespera , stop right there ! " The moment Vespera turned around , Calista's hand was already flying through the air , landing a hard slap across her face . 11:24 Rejected by the Alpha I Became the Pack's Queen