The Alpha’s Rejected Mate

12

ELEANOR

I spent most of the evening in my room, lying on my bed with my phone in my hand. I had tried playing a few games to distract myself, but I couldn't seem to concentrate on any of them. Caspian had made it painfully clear that he didn't want me around when he was struggling. Even when I had only wanted to help him, he had treated me like I was the last person he wanted to see.

I turned off my phone and tossed it onto the bed with a sigh. I needed some fresh air.

Whenever I felt sad or had too many thoughts running through my head, I usually went for a walk. It helped me clear my mind, even if only for a little while. Sitting in the same room and thinking about everything that had happened was beginning to make me feel worse.

I climbed out of bed and glanced at the clothes I was wearing. My pajama pants and sleeveless crop top were comfortable enough, and since I wasn't planning on going anywhere far, I didn't see the need to change. I reached for the scarf lying on the chair beside the bed and draped it over my shoulders before heading for the door.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, however, something caught my attention. There were guards stationed along the corridor. I slowed down, looking from one man to another. I was certain they hadn't been standing there earlier. One guarded the staircase, while another stood farther down the hall.

I frowned slightly. What was going on?

I had been at Blackwood Estate long enough to understand that security was important, especially in a house belonging to an Alpha as powerful as Caspian. Still, there was something unusual about the way the guards were positioned tonight.

I glanced around curiously, wondering whether I had missed something, but I didn't ask any questions. Instead, I continued walking. As I made my way through the house, I noticed more guards standing near the main entrance. They barely acknowledged my presence, their attention fixed on their surroundings.

By the time I stepped outside, my earlier curiosity had turned into a faint sense of uneasiness. The night air brushed against my skin, and I adjusted the scarf around my shoulders before taking a few steps away from the entrance. I had barely begun to enjoy the cool breeze when the sound of an approaching vehicle caught my attention. I turned toward the driveway.

A dark van pulled up near the side of the building. Before I could wonder who had arrived at that hour, the doors opened, and several men climbed out.

They were dressed in dark clothing, with sturdy boots and equipment attached to their belts. None of them looked like ordinary visitors. They moved with a sense of urgency, speaking briefly among themselves before making their way toward the house.

I stood where I was, watching them. Who were they? I considered returning to my walk, but my curiosity got the better of me. Something about the sudden arrival of those men, combined with the unusual number of guards inside the house, made me want to know what was happening. I waited until they had entered the house before following them.

They were moving quickly enough that I didn't think anyone would notice me. I kept a reasonable distance behind them, following them through a corridor I had passed several times since arriving at Blackwood Estate. Then they took a turn I hadn't noticed before. I hesitated briefly before following them into an unfamiliar courtyard.

The first thing I noticed was how dark it was. Unlike the other parts of Blackwood Estate, where polished floors, expensive furniture, and carefully arranged decorations seemed to fill every corner, this section looked almost forgotten. The walls were bare and weathered, and the paving beneath my feet was uneven in places. A few dim lights were fixed along the walls, but they barely illuminated the area. There was nothing particularly impressive about the place. It looked more like an unused section of the estate that nobody bothered to visit unless they had a reason to be there.

I barely had time to look around before the men continued toward a set of large double doors at the far end of the courtyard. Several guards were already standing in front of them. I slowed down, my curiosity growing.

What could possibly be happening in that room?

I approached the nearest group of men, hoping someone would be willing to explain what was going on.

"Excuse me," I said, looking at one of the guards. "Can I ask what's happening?"

He didn't answer. He barely even glanced at me before returning his attention to the doors. I frowned, wondering whether he hadn't heard me.

"Excuse me." I tried again. Nothing.

It was almost as if I was invisible. A small wave of embarrassment washed over me, and I considered giving up. I wasn't particularly fond of standing around asking questions when nobody seemed interested in answering them. Still, I couldn't ignore the strange feeling settling in my stomach.

I walked toward another guard, who was standing slightly apart from the others, and tried again.

"Do you know what's going on?"

This time, he turned to look at me. His eyes moved over my face curiously before he answered.

"Honestly, I don't know much myself," he admitted. "The Alpha ordered that this room be isolated and heavily secured. We've only been told to make sure nobody gets inside without his permission."

I looked toward the double doors.

"An isolated room?" I repeated quietly.

He nodded and I stared at the doors, trying to understand what could possibly require so much security. Why would Caspian need an entire section of his own house sealed off? And why had so many men been brought in tonight?

A growing sense of worry settled over me. Was something wrong with him again? The thought came so suddenly that I almost dismissed it. But after everything that had happened earlier, I couldn't help wondering whether his condition had gotten worse. I had seen how much he struggled in the afternoon.

My eyes remained fixed on the doors as I tried to decide whether I should leave or wait a little longer. Before I could make up my mind, I heard movement behind them. The doors opened and Ethan stepped outside. I immediately looked at him, hoping he might be able to tell me what was happening.

His eyes met mine, he looked surprised to see me standing there. Then his expression changed, and he glanced back into the room. I followed his gaze.

Caspian was standing close to the doorway. Even from where I stood, I could see the tension in his face. His expression was hard, and his shoulders were rigid.

My worry deepened. "Caspian?" I called.

He turned his head toward me and our eyes met, I felt a small flicker of relief. I couldn't explain why seeing him had that effect on me, especially after the way he had treated me earlier. I only knew that I wanted to understand what was happening. I took a step toward him, but before I could get any closer, his expression hardened.

"Don't let her in."

I stopped.

Caspian's voice was clear enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear, he didn't even have to raise it. Ethan looked back at him, then glanced at me again.

"Caspian," he began cautiously, "perhaps we should…"

"I don't care what happens," Caspian interrupted, his voice cold and sharp. "Keep her away from this room. She is not to come inside under any circumstances."

He did it again. It was the second time that day he had pushed me away when all I wanted to do was help him. I looked at him, searching his face for some indication that he might reconsider. Maybe he would at least acknowledge that I was standing there because I was worried about him. But there was nothing.

His expression remained cold, and he didn't offer me a single word of explanation. Why was he so determined to keep me away? I knew he didn't like admitting that he needed help, but this was different. He had gone out of his way to bring me to Blackwood Estate because he needed my help, yet he seemed determined to push me away every time I tried to give it. That was what frustrated me the most.

I wanted to walk up to him and demand an explanation. I wanted to ask him why he had so many guards surrounding a single room and what he was trying so desperately to contain. More than anything, I wanted to know whether he was all right. But I couldn't ignore what he had just said. He didn't want me there.

Ethan looked at me again. His expression had softened slightly, but he shook his head like he was silently advising me not to push the matter any further.

I held his gaze for a moment before slowly nodding. I understood.

I lowered my eyes and took a step backward. Then another. I could feel the weight of the scarf resting around my shoulders, and I pulled it closer as I walked back across the courtyard. I just couldn't shake off the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.