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Chapter 22: The Challenge
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
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
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 26: The Bite
Eden’s POVOur lips locked and I felt an indescribable wave of pure power flow through me. It coursed through every fiber of my being. He pressed his lips against mine harder, with fervor. I saw a flash of white light as I kissed him back.I wanted more, needed more. He pulled back and our eyes locked. He traced my lower lip with his thumb.“Eden,” he said in a raspy voice. Then he looked at me with lust in his eyes. I leaned back into him, my mouth partially open. He kissed me passionately, as our tongues twirled around. I reached around and clutched at his broad back. I could feel his strong muscles under his shirt. He was powerful and so damned hot. I was overcome with desire.He pulled back my head and sent hot kisses up and down my neck. I shivered as he brought his mouth to my ear. I could feel his breath as he whispered, “You’re so beautiful, Eden.”I feel my need for him grow inside me. He lifted me in his arms and laid me down on the bed. His weight pressed into me. He lifted
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 27: Refusal
Zane’s POVI blinked in disbelief. She had…had she? Had Eden just refused us? Slade whined from deep within me. Her knees were drawn into her chest and she had a sad look on her face.She had pushed me away! But why? I turned away from her.I was starting to realize that Eden, despite her gentle appearance, was quite spirited. She always managed to surprise me with her actions.Like that morning when she asked to visit the training grounds. Few girls showed interest in training, but she seemed genuinely excited. What caught me off guard even more was when she insisted on sparring with one of my best warriors to join in the training!My warriors ridiculed her. They said Eden was perfectly safe here, that’s right. There was no threat to her, not while under my guard in the palace. And even if something did come up, some sort of unexpected danger…well…I would protect her, obviously. It’s not like I had a choice. Slade was obsessed with Eden; he couldn’t stay away from her. Eden was ada
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 28: Training
Eden’s POVThe King angrily stormed out of the room before I could explain.He said I still loved Caleb but that wasn’t true. I don’t know why he said that. I was talking about him and Astrid and his need to be loyal to her. I was attracted to him, yes, but that wasn’t love. He loved Astrid. He should wait for her. I’ve never understood it, the way some men act. How can they be with one woman when they love another in their heart? It’s not right.But that’s exactly what he was just trying to do. To sleep with me even though he loved Astrid. I suddenly felt disgusted. Was he really that type of man? The type that didn’t care? The type that would just be with someone, anyone, even someone they didn’t love.Anyway, the moment he left, I gathered my things and moved back into my old bedroom.I didn’t hear anything from Zane the following week.He didn’t come to see me in my bedroom. He didn’t invite me to eat with him. And he certainly didn’t demand that I sleep with him in his bed. Wi
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 29: Hot Gaze
Eden’s POVThe shadow lurked in the window.“Who’s there?” I demanded again. But it didn’t move. Fear prickled through me. Was this figure…was it dangerous? Why else would it be lurking outside my window like this? The night air was silent, still. My fear rose until…I could defend myself. I am a trained warrior now. I wasn’t weak and useless. So I reacted. I grabbed the knife on my bedside stand and ran to the window. The figure bolted. I threw back the doors that opened out to the garden. Moonlight flooded the grass. I looked left, then right. And that’s when I saw it, a dark shadow running through the garden. I gripped my knife and chased after it.I tore through the grass. I was stronger and faster now because of all my training. He didn’t have much of a head start; it wasn’t long before I caught up with him. I lunged at the tall, dark finger, my knife poised to stab it in the back.But just as I lunged, the figure turned around. He grabbed my wrist, stopping the knife in mid-air.
Awakening the Rejected Queen Chapter 30: Truth I
Eden’s POV“Stay still,” he ordered. “I’m healing you. Lycan saliva speeds up the healing process,” he said between licks. So that’s why he was licking me? To heal me? I didn’t know that about Lycans. I stopped trying to pull away. It tickled. His tongue was wet and warm. I quivered from the sensation.“I feel you quivering,” he said, his voice husky. He looked at me with desire in his eyes. “Why are you trying to fight this, Eden?”“Fight what?” I asked, confused. I had stopped struggling. I was letting him lick my wound.“Your feelings for me.”I balked and my mouth fell open. My what?“You have feelings for me,” he stated. I tried to withdraw my arm. He held it tightly. He blew on my wound, now wet from his saliva. “I know you do. I can sense it. You’re restraining yourself though. And I don’t know why.”His breath was hot on my arm. Why was he looking at me like that, like he wanted me, like he desired me, like he cared about me?I bit my lip. “I don’t understand you, Zane. Why
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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?
