Rejected By My Mate At Labor

In the afternoon, Veer returned to our den.

As expected, the skirmish hadn’t resulted in any serious injuries. After a brief scolding from the pack council and some formalities, the involved wolves were released to their families.

When he opened the door, I was seated on the living room couch, sorting through pack documents. Our eyes met, and I saw a flicker of guilt in his gaze. Some truths couldn’t be avoided forever, no matter how much he wished otherwise.

Wisely, he didn’t sit beside me. Instead, he pulled over a low stool, positioning himself directly in front of me in a posture of submission. I placed the documents back into my satchel, my gaze steady on his face.

The mark from my earlier slap still lingered, a bright red imprint stark against his fair skin. He looked pitiable, but I felt no pity. He reached out to take my hand, but I brushed him off without hesitation.

With a heavy sigh, he began.

"Luna, I messed up."

"I won’t act so recklessly again. Please, don’t stay angry with me."

He avoided mentioning Khalani entirely, only admitting his own fault. I stared at him, my expression icy.

"Do you act the same way in front of her?"

His face faltered, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words.

A wave of disappointment washed over me. If he had simply admitted to being swayed by nostalgia for his past, I might have dismissed it as a fleeting weakness. But his hesitation, his guilt, his inability to speak against her—it all revealed a heart torn between loyalty and lingering feelings.

Between me, his Luna, and Khalani, his loyalty wavered. He hadn’t even voiced a whisper of frustration toward her. A bitter ache spread through me, leaving me feeling helpless and hollow.

I leaned back against the couch, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Just yesterday, I had believed myself the happiest Luna in the Silver Moon Pack—mated to a strong Alpha, carrying our pup. But with one phone call, the man beside me had lost his composure, his mind clouded by the past.

If we hadn’t been mated, or if I weren’t pregnant, I might have found the clarity to walk away without hesitation.

But now, why now…

I gently placed my hands on my swollen abdomen, feeling the faint movements of the life growing within me. For a moment, I questioned whether bringing a pup into this world of deceit and betrayal was the right thing to do.

Looking at the conflicted man before me, I sighed and spoke slowly.

"Veer, when we became mates, I told you I have zero tolerance for disloyalty. Do you remember?"

"I don’t care about your past, but now we are bound by the mate bond and expecting a pup. I expect you to understand what is and isn’t appropriate."

"If…"

I paused, seeing that he was listening intently, then continued:

"If you can’t let go of her, be honest. We can part ways cleanly."

"Rejecting the mate bond might be painful, but it’s better than living in resentment and hurting each other."

At the mention of rejection, Veer shook his head vehemently. As soon as I finished speaking, he responded quickly.

"Elaine, I won’t leave you."

"I made a mistake, and I swear it won’t happen again."

His tone was firm, almost desperate, as though making a vow before the Moon Goddess. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, I nodded and chose not to press further. I rose and headed toward the bedroom.

I had said what needed to be said, laid my boundaries clear. This day had drained me, and I needed to rest, to gather my strength for whatever came next.