Darius’s chest tightened with pride. Her strength never failed to amaze him. “Alright,” he said with a small nod. “I’ll have Calvin inform Michael. We’ll go there when you’re ready.”
He rose to his feet, brushing his hands on his jeans before stepping outside. The air was cooler now, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Around the cabin, a few of his warriors were busy packing supplies for the journey tomorrow.
“Evan,” he called out when he spotted the man near the car. “Where’s Calvin?”
Evan straightened and turned. “One of the warriors asked him to check the preparations for our departure tomorrow. What do you need, boss?”
“Please go to Alpha Michael,” Darius said firmly. “Tell him that we’ll come to his office later for the official rejection with Elaine.”
“Right away, boss,” Evan replied without hesitation. He grabbed his jacket and jogged off toward the pack house.
Darius stayed there for a moment, watching the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, streaking the sky with shades of red and violet. He took a deep breath before heading back inside.
When he entered the cabin again, Elaine was tidying up the table where Roselyn sat writing in a worn leather notebook. Nathan’s small toys were scattered nearby, though the soft rise and fall of his breathing from the next room told them he had finally fallen asleep for his afternoon nap.
“Love,” Darius said, his tone quieter now, “there’s something else I need to discuss with you while Nathan’s still asleep.”
Elaine looked up immediately, sensing the tension in his voice. “What is it?”
“Michael,” Darius said, his expression darkening. “He wants to meet Nathan. He said he felt some kind of connection to him… and he wants to meet him properly.” His voice was steady, but his eyes burned with restrained anger.
The idea of Michael being anywhere near their son made his wolf stir uneasily beneath his skin.
Elaine’s face hardened, though her voice remained calm. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him no,” Darius said without hesitation. “And I told him Nathan is our son.”
Elaine let out a deep breath-part relief, part gratitude. She had never doubted that Darius would protect their family, but hearing him say it aloud brought her peace. “Good,” she said firmly. “Because he is our son. Not Michael’s-ours.
If he asks again, I’ll tell him the same thing.”
Darius exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He hadn’t known what he would do if Elaine had wanted to allow it-if she had felt any lingering sense of obligation. But he should have known better. Elaine had long since closed that chapter of her life.
He reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice rougher than he intended.
Elaine smiled faintly. “There’s no need to thank me for choosing what’s right for us.”
Before Darius could reply, Roselyn’s voice broke the quiet. “I’ll come with you when you go to the pack house,” she said suddenly.
Both Darius and Elaine turned to her. “Why?” Darius asked.
“I need to speak with Calvin,” Roselyn replied, her voice calm but serious.
Elaine studied her for a moment, noticing the tension in her posture. “You’ve made your decision then?” she asked gently.
Roselyn nodded. “Yes,” she said, her tone steady though her eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty.
Elaine rose and moved closer, taking Roselyn’s hand and squeezing it reassuringly.” Everything will be okay,” she said softly, her voice carrying the quiet warmth of someone who had learned to trust in time and healing.
Roselyn managed a small smile. “I hope so.”
“Just remember,” Elaine continued, squeezing her hand again, “whatever your decision, we’ll always support you.”
The room fell into a comfortable silence after that. Outside, the sky had darkened to a dusky violet, and the first stars were beginning to appear between the clouds. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, filling the cabin with warmth.
Elaine looked toward the closed door of Nathan’s room, then back to Darius and Roselyn. There was a sense of finality in the air-a quiet understanding that tomorrow would mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
For Elaine, it meant freedom from the last thread that tied her to her past. For Darius, it was the peace of knowing his chose mate and their son would finally be free from the shadow of Michael and the pack that had once wronged them.
And for Roselyn… tomorrow would bring her own choice, one that might change her life in ways none of them could yet foresee.
The night deepened around them, but inside the cabin, there was light-steady, warm, and unyielding, just like the resolve in their hearts.
Sometime later, Evan returned to the cabin, his footsteps uneven against the wooden floorboards. His expression was tight, the usual calm replaced by something raw- disturbed, and shadowed by a feeling Darius couldn’t quite name..- anxious,
Darius looked up from where he stood by the window, arms crossed, his eyes narrowing.” What happened to you?”
Evan hesitated at the door, his hand lingering on the knob as if he might turn and walk right back out. “Nothing,” he said after a beat too long. “I spoke to Alpha Michael. He said… anytime Elaine is ready, you can go back to his office to do the official rejection.”
His tone was clipped, his words mechanical. But his eyes – they darted, unfocused, haunted.
Darius frowned. “Are you sure you’re alright, Evan?”
“Yes. Yes, boss. I’m okay.” Evan forced a thin smile, one that never reached his eyes. “Do you still need me here?
I’ll help the warriors finish their preparations for our departure tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” Darius said slowly, studying him. “You can go do that. We’ll head to the Alpha’s office and come back once it’s done.”
Evan nodded stiffly, as though every movement cost him effort. “Will Nathan be coming with you?”
“No. Marcus will stay with him,” Darius replied.
“Alright then,” Evan said softly, his voice fading as he turned away. The door creaked open, letting in a gust of cool mountain air before closing again behind him.
Darius’s gaze followed his retreating figure through the cabin window, his instincts prickling. He’d known Evan and Marcus since they were boys. They’d trained together, fought together, built loyalty through scars and sweat. And because of that, Darius knew when something was wrong.
Something was wrong.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.