Chapter 6 Maximus immediately pushed Calista aside and pulled Vespera into his arms . " Did she hurt you ? " he asked urgently , examining the red mark blooming on her cheek . Vespera covered her stinging face , tears springing to her eyes with picture - perfect timing , the very image of wronged innocence . Maximus was worried about Vespera . But Calista felt not a shred of guilt - no decent she - wolf would insert herself into someone else's mate bond . Then again , Maximus bore equal blame . Just as Calista was about to speak , a small figure suddenly burst out from the manor . Maisie ran barefoot , moving at full speed . As soon as she got close , she threw herself against Vespera's legs , tilting her small face up with eyes full of worry : " Aunt Vespera , does it hurt ? " Moments earlier , Maisie had been getting ready for bed when she happened to look through the window and see her father's car pulling in - seeing him return with Vespera , she immediately flew downstairs . She arrived at the door just as Calista slapped Vespera across the face . Without a second thought , she ran to them , leaving her shoes behind in her hurry . Calista stood rooted in place , watching her mate and daughter comfort Vespera . A sharp pain pierced through her chest . She could almost hear the sound of her own heart breaking . The wolf inside her became agitated and restless , even wanting to break free and take control of her body , to tear out that she - wolf's throat with her claws . But what hurt most was seeing the child she had raised with her own hands now looking at her with hostility . She reached out with a trembling hand , her voice choked : " Maisie . " Calista barely got the name out when Maisie spun around , face flushed with anger . In the next instant , Maisie lunged at Calista , tiny fists pounding against her thighs . " Bad Mommy ! Bad Mommy ! " she shrieked , her voice cracking with rage . " Why would you hurt Miss Vespera ? I hate you ! " Calista stood frozen , her face going pale in an instant . The realization hit her like a physical blow . Everything she had fought for in the custody battle had been nothing but her own foolish fantasy . Her mate and daughter no longer needed her . In that moment , she became the biggest joke of her own life . What was more ironic was that she was carrying the child of a man who didn't love her . Calista barely noticed how long Maisie had been hitting her , when she stopped , or what else she was shouting . Those two words " Bad Mommy " had killed every bit of hope left . Numb , she stood frozen for a long moment . Then she let out a hollow laugh and 11:24 Rejected by the Alpha , I Became the Pack's Queen 16.1 % Chapter 6 walked away , without even glancing at Maximus or Maisie . Behind her , Maximus and Maisie were still gathered around Vespera , completely oblivious to Calista's departure . As she rounded the corner , she stole one final look back at the two people who had been her whole world for five years . Maximus held Vespera's right hand while Maisie clutched her left , the three of them walking together like a warm family returning home . A bitter smile tugged at Calista's lips , all her sadness buried deep inside . She longed to cry her heart out , but the tears simply wouldn't come . These five years had sucked her dry . Never again would she burn herself to light their way . She left Moon Mark Manor alone , her mind replaying the past five years step by step . Deep down , she had always known this relationship was devouring her . She just couldn't admit it . But now her eyes were open . From this moment on , she would put herself first . Calista took a taxi back to Silver Manor . In the study , she prepared a new divorce agreement , stating that all assets would be divided equally and that she would not seek custody of their daughter . She placed the signed papers neatly on the desk , and then drove through the night back to the neighboring city . After a night's rest , Calista went to the hospital early in the morning . She pushed open the consultation room door . The doctor on duty , Sadie Cole , looked up and greeted her with a smile . " You- " Sadie had barely begun when Calista cut her off . " I want to terminate the pregnancy . " Sadie shot to her feet in shock . " Are you out of your mind ? This baby was so hard to conceive - why would you give up now ? " Sadie was an old friend from college who knew something about Calista's relationship troubles . Hearing her decision to terminate the pregnancy , Sadie frowned , paused , then continued , " Even if things are bad between you , you can keep the baby without the man . " Calista met her gaze , her tone firm . " Sadie , a she - wolf's true strength lies in making responsible choices about her own reproduction . My life matters too . And besides , you know as well as I do - if it's a boy , this pack will never let me take the child away . " Sadie's breath caught , and she let out a soft sigh . Calista stood up and pulled out a surgery consent form she had already signed from her bag , placing it in front of Sadie . " Schedule the surgery for this morning . This is my final decision . " ( 0 ) ( 0 ) 11:25