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Chapter 17: The Struggle
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 18: Panic
Eden’s POVHe’s dead. The warrior is dead.I looked at the corpse, aghast. The King murdered him! He lay in a crumpled pile at the foot of the tree. I trembled. I’d never seen anyone die before. Not right in front of my eyes.I turned to the King. He was calm and collected. The moonlight splashed his face as he looked to the dead body and then back to me.I saw with my own two eyes what he was capable of! Fear ripped through me. I had disobeyed him. He just murdered someone.Oh God, he was going to kill me, too. Just like he killed that warrior.A caught a gleam in my peripheral vision. My knife. The blade shone in the moonlight. It was only a few feet away from me. Without thinking, I lunged for it. With the knife firmly in my grip, I nervously turned to face the Lycan King. I held out my knife, my hand visibly shaking as I prepared to defend myself.He saw the knife and cocked his head to the side. He smiled and calmly said, “Come now, Cookie. Put down the knife. You are very smart
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 19: The Lie
Eden’s POVI awoke with a start. The sun was bright. I squinted my eyes to shield them. My head was groggy. Where was I?“FINALLY, you’re awake,” a voice said. “You’ve been unconscious for two days. Two. Whole. Days. Lazy girl. Time to get up!”Slowly, I opened my eyes and the room came into view. I was back at the palace, in my bed. The maid was puttering about, watering the flowers on my bedside table.Lilacs. Their sweet scent filled the room.I struggled to remember, as bits and pieces of that night came back to me.The warrior. Our struggle on the ground. His hand around my throat. Then the look on his face as he hurled through the air.His corpse.My knife, its blade shining in the moonlight.Blood. The Lycan King’s blood. Warm on my wrist.Fear prickled through me.He had found me. I had almost died at the hands of a back-stabbing warrior, but then the Lycan King saved me….I stabbed him! The memory washed over me. I sat up straight in bed. Fear rippled through me. I had disobe
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 20: Sweet Dreams
Eden’s POV“The King is looking for you,” the maid said, barging into my room. She threw back my blankets. What? I was just about asleep! I reached for my blankets. It was the middle of the night! I was barely dressed. “Get up,” she barked at me. “You’re going to his room.”She grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me out of bed. “Can I at least get changed?” I asked. I was in my nightie! My hair was a mess. I couldn’t go see the king looking like this!She eyed me up and down. “Fine. Grab a robe,” she snapped. I slunk it over my shoulders and wrapped it tightly in front of me. She walked quickly in front of me. I had to do a little run-step to keep up.What was this all about? What could possibly be so important that he had to see me in the middle of the night?The maid knocked but then opened the door before he responded.We entered. My eyes swept the room. There was a massive four-post bed, a full couch in the corner, a desk off to the left, and a door that I assumed led to the bedro
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 21: Astrid
Eden’s POVHis scent hit me, hard. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. But then I remembered I was in his bed. His arms were wrapped around me, his head was buried in my neck. He was still fast asleep, holding me tightly.I was hyper aware of his body pressed into mine. I could feel his heat through my clothes. I gently lifted his arm off my stomach. He rolled over onto his back, murmuring and smacking his lips, but he didn’t wake up.His face was soft, with a look of contentment. He looked like a small child, happily dreaming about rivers of chocolate milk and trees of sweets.I stretched and noticed that I felt strong. Odd, I thought. A strange energy buzzed through me and all my senses were on high alert. My sight seemed stronger, like the edges of everything was clearer. I could hear birds outside the window, chirping away. And beyond, I could make out sounds from the forest, like the gentle rusting of leaves.I flexed my hands. I could feel every muscle in my hand, in my fi
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 22: The Challenge
Eden’s POV“You can show NO mercy! Because your enemy will show you none!”Astrid stood in front of a long line of warriors. The training grounds spread out before me. They hung on Astrid’s every word as she strode back and forth, yelling her commands. She was the epitome of power and strength. It was very clear that she was in charge, as I watched her command the warriors, I realized – I want power like that.“What do you think?” Zane asked, a half smile on his face.“It’s marvelous,” I responded, my eyes wide. “She’s…she’s incredible.”“Told ya,” he winked. “She’s a real spit fire.”“Now pair off,” Astrid commanded. “I want to see your hand to hand combat. No weapons. Use your brute strength and your physical training. Your goal is to get your partner to admit defeat.” The men began pairing off. “Oh,” she said, “and NO injuries. This is for training purposes only.”The men nodded and I watched as they paired off and found a spot on the field. At her command, they began sparring. Gro
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 23: Get UP
Eden’s POV“You can cancel the duel,” Zane said softly. We were back at the palace in his library. This was the fifth time he had said that. Did he really think I would cancel? This was my chance, my chance to learn how to fight so I could defend myself.“Thank you,” I told him. “But you said yourself, you would trust Astrid with your life. So you must trust her with mine.”He nodded, clearly amused. “If this is what you want, Eden, then I won’t stand in your way,” he told me. “But be warned. Warrior Seth is one of our best. He’s strong and smart, a lethal combination.”I swallowed hard. Maybe I should have picked a weaker warrior. Oh well, no point in stewing over ‘what ifs’. The wheels were in motion.Just then, Astrid came in.“Let’s go,” she said, her face expressionless.“What? Now?” I asked.“No time like the present,” she quipped. “I sent training clothes up to your room. Get changed and meet me outside. We’re going somewhere private for our first lesson.”I looked to Zane. He
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 24: Loves Her?
Eden’s POVThe maids continued to mock me but I wasn’t in the mood to listen. Stupid maids. Good riddance. Who cares what they think?I fixated on that one word.Loves?It thrummed through me.Loves.‘Everyone knows the King LOVES Astrid’.I suddenly felt like I couldn’t breathe. He loves Astrid? The word was suffocating me. I had to get out there. I needed some fresh air and some time to think.So he loved her. So what? Ugh! Why was this bothering me?I decided to go for a walk in the gardens to clear my head, but on the way outside, I got lost. The palace is so big and I zigged instead of zagged. Oddly enough, I found myself in front of my old bedroom. I went inside. All my things had been moved to Zane’s bedroom, so the room was empty. It was nice and private. No stupid, mocking maids.My body was sore from training, so I ran a hot bath.I could just sit in the tub and forget about all of this.‘Everyone knows the King LOVES Astrid.’The heat fogged up the mirror as I stepped out o
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 25: Kiss
Eden’s POV“KILL myself? What are you talking about?” His expression changed then. He went from shock to confusion. He cocked his head to the side. “I was having a bath. A BATH, Zane. Nothing more.” Realization dawned on him and he looked slightly embarrassed. Clearly, he’d made a massive mistake. I wrapped my robe around me. I felt exposed. “Can you please get me some clothes?” I asked. This was so embarrassing. He’d just seen me naked and now I was wearing a wet robe. “In the dresser. I think there’s some left.”He nodded. Moments later, he passed me a dress. Then he turned around. I took off the robe and pulled the dress over my head. “Why did you just come barging in here like that? This is a bathroom. It’s private,” I told him. “You can turn around.”He faced me then with an apologetic look. “I can explain,” he said.How? How could he explain this? Was there NO privacy here? He had already taken away my freedom. I was forced to sleep in HIS room, in the same bed as him so I didn
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Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 410: Eden’s Epilogue and The End
Eden’s POVEighteen today. How the time flies by! It seems like only yesterday I was lying on the bed, crying in agony as wave after wave of labor crashed over me. She was a difficult birth, Jupiter. But I made it through, of course.Who could have known the woman she would grow into?She is standing in front of the full-length mirror, admiring herself in her new gown. She’s glorious. Soft, pink cheeks and glacier blue eyes, just like Zara’s. She is the best of witches and the best of wolves – a unique hybrid that brings out both in this fluid, magical way.“Aunty Brinsle and Aunty Astrid?” she asked, looking at my reflection standing behind her. “Are they ready?”“Yes, love,” I tell her. “They are both waiting.” There’s a gentle knock on the door, and as if on cue, Brinsle and Astrid enter.“Oh Jupes,” Brinsle says, rushing to her side. “Look at you. All grown up.” Tears well in her eyes and she turns away.“I told you, no tears today,” Jupiter scolds Brinsle. But then she smiles sof
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 409: Zane’s Epilogue
Zane’s POVSometimes, I don’t know who I love more, Eden or Jupiter. What a I saying? I love them equally.I was shocked, of course, the night our baby was born. I couldn’t believe it when Eden said the name, Jupiter. It all came together in that moment. Calista told me that visions always come true. Lucinda has the vision of a young girl born with both wolf and witch, a girl that would rule over both.Lucinda assumed it would be her daughter.She was wrong.It was ours.Eden has witch blood and wolf blood. Jupiter was born with both. She is our daughter and she will one day unite the wolves and the witches. For now, though, she’s just a bright-eyed, mischievous little five year old girl.And she is our world.Brinsle counsels Jupiter on the ways of witches. Sometimes, she takes Jupiter to different covens. The covens welcome her, this little daughter of ours. Astrid is in charge of Jupiter’s wolf training. And of course, Astrid is Jupiter’s god-mother. I know she is in good hands wit
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 408: Epilogue 2 – Adrian and Brinsle
Eden’s POVThe wedding was small but lovely. Zane gave Brinsle away and he was so honored to do so. It was a traditional human wedding, and Brinsle was lovely in her white dress. Adrian was handsome in his traditional human tuxedo. They chose a human wedding because they couldn’t have a werewolf one since Brinsle wasn’t a werewolf and they couldn’t have a witch wedding since Adrian wasn’t a witch. So they chose a human wedding instead.After the ceremony, we all mingled and sipped champagne while the children ran around playing tag on the grassy knoll. I was so happy for Adrian as I watched him great his guests, as was Zane. We both had a soft spot for Adrian and Brinsle. They were family as far as we were concerned.But it hadn’t always been easy. It had been a slow love between Brinsle and Adrian. They were both a bit broken and they both had serious trust issues. Brinsle had a magic that was too powerful for her and a history of lashing out. She had some pretty dark secrets in her
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 407: Epilogue 1 – Lucia and Storm
Eden’s POV“Lucia, how many times I have told you – get off the warrior training grounds!”I giggled. Lucia had a basket in her arms. It was lunch for Storm. I was sure of it. Lucia was notorious for this. She’d just scuttle right out onto the field, a basket full of food for Storm, and completely disrupt his warriors.“But it’s lunch time,” she said, cocking her head to the side.Storm was clearly embarrassed as she shook his head. His warriors smiled slyly. They were used to it. Lucia was a doting wife. She brought Storm lunch every day without fail.I was visiting for our monthly dinner date. Once a month, I made the trek out to see Lucia at her pack, the Santonio Pack. It was a bit of a hike, since her pack boundary was up in the hills. We’d chosen the location because of the view. After spending all those years on the island at the estate, Lucia swore she never wanted to see water ever again. So her pack was built up on the mountain on a flat plateau, surrounded only by tree tops
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 406: A Baby is Born
Eden’s POVI cursed Zane. I cursed sex. I cursed every one in that room and the sun and the moon and anything and everything I could think of. I had known pain in my life, really bad physical pain, but nothing had prepared me for the pain that ripped through my insides every time I had a contraction.We were back in my room. The doctor and several maids were by my side, as well as Astrid and Zane. Those were the only two people I wanted in the room with me. I gritted my teeth and did my best to breathe while contraction after contraction ripped through me. Zane wiped my forehead with cold clothes. Astrid held my hand, even though I was pretty sure I’d broken her fingers with my tight grip.I was only vaguely aware of the time, but I knew it was night.“It’s a long labour,” the doctor said. “I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes.”Outside my window, the guests waited with baited breath. It hadn’t taken long for word to spread right after the crowning that the queen was i
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 405: Eden is Crowned Queen
Eden’s POVI knew we invited a lot of people, but I didn’t really know how many until I saw them all sprawled out there in the garden. Thousands of people, for as far as I could see. Little children waved excitedly as I passed. Little girls giggled and whispered to their mothers:“She’s the most beautiful queen I’ve ever seen.”We walked slowly, through the crowds. I took my time, nodding and smiling as I went along. Everyone smiled back.Once or twice, a strange cramp ran through my stomach and I gripped Astrid’s hand. She looked at me, a worried expression on her face.“Eden, tell me the next time you feel a cramp, okay?” she asked.“Sure,” I said.The walk to the stage took a long time. I was so humbled that this many people had come to see my coronation. Some of them had travelled a very long way. I saw the pile of presents Astrid had commented on. Holy crap was right; it was massive!My eyes swelled. Such generosity from my people.“Oh,” I said, suddenly stopping. It was a cramp
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 404: Coronation Day
Eden’s POVThe sun burst through the window and I bolted out of bed. I was so happy I could sing. It was here, it was finally here! Coronation day!The baby kicked, really hard. I pressed my hand on my stomach.“No no no,” I said. “You be a good girl and stay in there just one more day.” Then I went straight to the washroom to shower.Zane and I had stayed in separate rooms last night. The girls had stayed in my room with me: Astrid, Brinsle, Murietta, Lucia, and Chloe. We’d played silly games and talked late into the night. It had been a perfect evening, with the exception of a few major cramps. It was probably just too much food I told myself. We had, after all, stuffed our faces all night long.The women were still fast asleep when I got out of the shower. I jumped onto the bed and said in a sing-song voice:“Get up! It’s coronation day!”They all groaned. Astrid rolled over sleepily, tossing her arm over her head. “Not yet,” she said.Brinsle sat up immediately, as did Chloe. I’d
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 403: We Just Leave
Eden’s POVMy mind reeled. A hundred thoughts ripped through my head. My heart and my stomach hurt.There was a baby?A baby with that…witch?But how? Why? This didn’t make any sense. I looked to Brinsle. If anyone would know, besides Zane, it was her. The look on her face said it all – apologetic.There WAS a baby.“Just listen,” Zane said.“You didn’t tell me?” I asked, embarrassed and angry. “You and…her? She’s carrying your baby?”“Eden, please. Just…come with me. Let’s talk.”But I didn’t want to talk. I wanted to run. I wanted to jump back into the lake and swim away again, like I had all those months ago.Had he been unfaithful to me? With a witch?He rushed towards me then and reached for my hand. But I shrugged him off.“I don’t understand,” I said.“So let me explain,” he told me.“Eden?” It was Brinsle. She was suddenly beside me. I felt like the world was spinning. I felt like I was going to be sick. “Just…just hear him out. Okay. It’s not what you think. I promise.”Her e
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 402: An Unwanted Guest
Eden’s POV“Excuse me?” I asked.The woman stopped in front of us. I was furious. Who the hell did she think she was? This was a private affair! This was an intimate, royal burial for MY mother. What was she talking about?“I’m guessing my invitation got lost in the mail?” the woman asked sardonically. “Zane, Brighton, Alpha so and so, nice to see you all again. Although I wish it were on happier terms.”I let Zane tense beside me. How did she know Brighton? And Zane? And was that my grandfather she was referring to.“What are you doing here?” Zane said, his voice low.“What do you mean?” she asked. “Of course I’m here. You’re burying my sister.”“This is a wolf’s burial. On wolf territory. You’re not welcome here, Lucinda,” Zane hissed.Lucinda?I knew that name. She was the head of the coven, the Falcon Crest Coven. She was the woman who had kept Zane and all the others prisoners. The woman who had personally provided Skylar with the potion for his warriors.What WAS she doing here?
