Chapter 26 Dont bother . You and Kane should leave , Elena rejected him without hesitation . The moment a man grew curious about a woman , it marked the beginning of feelings . But in his heart , there would always be a place for the dead Evangeline an irreplaceable place . The living could never compete with the dead . She had already learned that once , and she was truly tired of trying . Things were fine the way they were . She didnt need them to live a good life . Robin felt utterly powerless and said softly , Elena , whether you believe it or not … I think Ive started to like you . It may not compare to what I felt for Evangeline , but give me time . I know Ill fall in love with you . This love has nothing to do with her I know now that I need to let her go . Elena recoiled like shed been bitten by a snake when she heard this . She shoved Kane toward him in panic . But Kane wrapped his arms tightly around her leg and refused to leave with Robin . Mommy , you raised me for six years . You are my mom ! I dont want to go back to that cold , empty house . I only want to live where you are ! His eyes , which were identical to Robins , were filled with stubbornness . He clung to her leg shamelessly and desperately for the first time , as if hed throw a tantrum if he didnt get what he wanted . Robin pretended to be in a difficult position and suggested , Why dont we let Kane stay here for a while , with the kids from the orphanage ? Let him study with them . The Marsh family is in a mess right now . No ones available to care for him , and it could be dangerous for him back there . Its decided then , okay ? Ill assign someone to stay by his side . You wont need to worry about a thing . He didnt give Elena a chance to refuse one bit . He just left after saying those words . Kane , as thick skinned as ever , completely ignored Elenas cold expression and followed her around like a shadow . When she served guests , he would lower himself to help carry tea and snacks . When she played blocks or painted with Mollie , he would always find a way to insert himself . However , whenever Mollie drew something no matter how simple Elena would praise her genuinely . Kane then looked down at his perfect pencil drawing sketch , but she didnt even spare it a single glance . His heart felt like it had been dunked in acid , the sourness creeping all the way up to his nose , making it sting with resentment . Yet Elena continued to ignore him , treating him like air from start to finish . She wasnt going to forgive him . Even though he was just a child , he knew better . Shed explained herself countless times back then , and still , he showed no softness toward her . He had been cruel and merciless . She couldnt teach him anymore . She could only leave that task to someone else . Kane continued to study alongside the other children at the orphanage . During recess , he saw Elena smiling at every child after playing , gently helping them wipe their faces and hands . So he lined up too , holding out his hands , waiting for his turn . But even after waiting a long time with his hands stretched out , she skipped over him and tended to the child behind him instead . Kanes lips trembled as he fought back tears . Hmph , I dont need your help anyway . I can do it myself . Eventually , he managed to follow the other children and made a flower crown on his own . He was thrilled , holding it out to give it to Elena . But she only shook her head . I dont need it . Dont waste time doing meaningless things like this again . Her tone was icy cold and completely indifferent toward him . After countless rejections , Kane finally realized that no matter what he did , she was never going to forgive him . That night , he gave Robin a call . Dad , I cant do it . I really tried , but I cant make Elena love me again … I want to give up , but … He trailed off , the rest of his words stuck in his throat . He wanted to say that he still loved her . Robin understood anyway . He stayed silent for a long moment before sighing deeply . Kaney , I feel the same way . Ive sent her countless gifts these past few days , all the things she used to like . I went through so much just to get them … and still , she treats me the same . Im afraid shes never going to forgive us . His voice turned hoarse . The father and son sat quietly on both ends of the call , overcome by sorrow . They truly regretted everything . If only they had treated Elena better from the beginning … if they had trusted her just a little more … would things have turned out differently ? Yet it was still too late . There was just no going back once she made up her mind . They never truly knew her before not her preferences , not her personality . They simply took 37 the love she gave them for granted . Only when they completely lost her did they finally come to understand what regret really felt like . After a long silence , Robin spoke in a hoarse voice , Kaney , come back , okay ? Stop disrupting her life . The more we cling to her , the more shell come to hate us . We still have time . There are other ways we can try to make things right with her . But we cant make her unhappy anymore . Kane choked on a sob and nodded . The next day , the little boy with a sharp face and cold demeanor no longer appeared outside the guesthouse . Elena glanced toward the entrance once , then never gave it another thought . It was good that he left . It felt like a heavy stone had finally been lifted from her chest . But from then on , for every holiday no matter how big or small two anonymous gifts would quietly show up at her doorstep . One was from an adult , and one was clearly from a child . No gift was ever repeated . Robin and Kane had started learning how to be good to someone . When someone maliciously tried to sabotage the guesthouse , Robin took care of it before Elena even found out . He never mentioned it or asked for any credit . It wasnt until much later that she happened to hear about it from a friend . When Mollie got bullied at school , Kane quietly took matters into his own hands and fought off the kids who had hurt her . Robin and Kane lived not far from Elenas guesthouse , always staying out of sight , always silently doing what they could for her . Elena wasnt a fool , so there was no way she wouldnt notice eventually . So , she followed Robin and Kane back to Saxondale to visit Evangelines grave on her death . anniversary . Standing in front of the tombstone , Elena spoke softly while staring at Evangelines picture , Stop trying so hard . I already told you , we cant go back to how things were . Robin and Kane responded at the same time , Were not trying to go back . We just want to stay near you and be good to you . We dont want to lose you again . Just being near you is enough . Elena gave up trying because there was no change in their minds . Do whatever you want . Just dont let me see you Okay , they agreed . And for the rest of their lives , Robin and Kane watched Elena from not too near , but not too far away just enough to know she was happy . In "Claimed by the Alpha I Hate" by CrushReel, Daisy Storm grapples with an inexplicable absence of her wolf and inability to shift, enduring rejection from her pack. Despite this isolation, she clings to the hope of having a mate. As her journey unfolds, themes of romance, revenge, and a mysterious mansion converge in a tale where secrets are unveiled amidst a backdrop of murder. In this captivating narrative, Daisy's struggle for acceptance and self-discovery takes center stage against a backdrop of intricate relationships and hidden agendas. The unique blend of romantic elements intertwined with themes of vengeance and clandestine revelations sets this story apart. As the plot thickens with each chapter, readers are drawn into a world where loyalty is tested, betrayals lurk in the shadows, and love blooms against all odds. "Claimed by the Alpha I Hate" offers a fresh take on werewolf lore, blending traditional tropes with unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Dive into this ongoing saga to uncover the truth behind Daisy's origin and fate. Available to read at CrushReel for those seeking a riveting mix of romance, mystery, and intrigue.