Chapter 23 " Rejected ? " Darius echoed , his voice low but sharp , like the word itself cut him . His chest tightened , disbelief flashing in his eyes . " That is ... impossible . " No wolf rejected their fated . It was a law older than any written , a truth embedded in the very marrow of their kind . Fated mates were sacred - the moon goddess's most perfect gift . To reject was not just taboo ; it was an offense against their very nature . Wolves whispered about it as a myth , a curse , something that could happen in theory but never did . Never . And yet here she was , standing before him , fragile and trembling , her eyes carrying the proof in their sorrow . No wonder she looked as though life itself had been drained from her . No wonder every breath she took seemed heavy . Her other half had cast her aside . Darius's mind reeled . What kind of wolf could do this ? Who would dare spit on the goddess's will ? To be fated to the beta's daughter , to Elaine - a wolf as strong , as beautiful , as pure - hearted as she - and to throw it away ? It was unthinkable . It was madness . " Yes ." Elaine's voice broke softly , her words echoing with a grief she no longer had the strength to hide . " My fated rejected me for another . And every time I see them together , I die inside ." The confession twisted like a knife through the air . Suddenly , all the pieces fell into place for Darius . The strange looks during breakfast , the alpha's cold dismissal , the whispers that seemed to hover around her , the way no one dared stand at her side . Now he understood . Everyone in her pack knew . They had watched her be rejected , watched her be abandoned , and instead of protecting her as their own , they had turned away . A pack was meant to shield , to defend , to honor its members . But here ? Here , they had betrayed her . Left her bleeding on the inside , as though she were nothing but a mistake they wished would vanish . Darius's hands curled into fists . " Who is this wolf that rejected you ? " His voice was no longer calm - it carried the deep growl of his wolf , restrained but furious . " Why would the pack support him instead of you , their 1/3 < Chapter 23 beta's daughter ? Why would they allow this ? " More Rewards Elaine's lips quivered , but she held his gaze . " Yes . My mate rejected me . He was supposed to be mine , but now he is with another . " Her pain radiated outward in waves , filling the space between them until even the waterfall's roar seemed muted . Tears streaked down her face , but she made no move to wipe them away. They belonged there like scars carved into her soul . Darius stepped closer , his eyes hardening . " Who is your mate ? " He demanded , though his voice softened as he looked at her . " No need for you to know , Alpha . " She lowered her head , her voice heavy with sorrow . " It will only cause more trouble . " " You have to tell me . " His voice sharpened again , echoing with authority . " Rejection is taboo. It is forbidden . If your pack is protecting a wolf who has broken the goddess's bond , then I will not stand by . I will not ally myself with a pack that spits in the face of the moon goddess. " Elaine flinched slightly at his words , but he did not relent . His wolf clawed inside him , furious , ready to tear down the Silverblade walls for what they had done to her . " Who is this male ? And why has your alpha allowed this to happen ? " Darius pressed , his voice rising like a storm . Elaine let out a shaky , broken laugh , though there was nothing joyful in it . " This ... this is why they don't want me to tell you anything . Why they're so nervous when I speak to you , why they watched every word at breakfast . They know if you learn the truth , you'll sever the alliance . And they're right . " Her voice dropped , trembling . " You would cut ties with us the moment you knew . " Her words struck him hard , because they were true . His jaw clenched , fury rumbling deep in his chest . " I will never ally with a pack that rejects the goddess's design . " He said , his voice like a vow . But Elaine shook her head desperately , stepping forward , her hand brushing against his arm as though to plead . " Please ... don't let my situation destroy the alliance . The pack will suffer without it . And I don't want that . They are still my pack , Darius . I care for them ." His eyes widened , stunned by her kindness , by her selflessness even in the face of betrayal . 2/3 : < Chapter 23 More Rewards > " They do not deserve it . They abandoned you , Elaine . And still you want what is best for them ? " She nodded slowly , her tears falling freely now . " There are pups here who have no part in this . Wolves who don't know what's happening ... others who may see , but have no voice , no power . If you cancel the alliance , they'll be the ones to suffer . The innocent always do . " Darius studied her for a long moment . His heart ached with both admiration and rage- admiration for her strength , her compassion , and rage for the cruelty of those who had failed her . Every part of him wanted to tear Silverblade apart for what they had done . But another part , the part that saw her fragility and her bravery , knew he couldn't add to her pain . Not now . He exhaled slowly , the decision weighing heavily . Finally , he gave a small , firm nod . " Very well . I will not touch the alliance . Not yet . " His gaze locked on hers , steady and unyielding . " But hear me , Elaine . You will not remain here . I will not allow it . After the mating ceremony , you will leave with me . " Her eyes widened , disbelief flickering before hope began to bloom . " Are you sure ? " She whispered , her voice trembling . " Yes . " His answer came without hesitation , filled with quiet certainty . And for the first time in weeks , maybe months , Elaine smiled . It was fragile , tentative , but it was there , like the first ray of sunlight breaking through endless storm clouds . Hope stirred within her , something she thought she had lost forever . Comments Get Bonus ( Ad ) > Vote 45