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24. Kill her
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2025-02-17 14:19:46
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Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 25. Disappointment
AdrianIf I didn't know better, I'd say Chloe was avoiding me. Besides our brief exchange this morning before we mounted our horses, it seemed like sheโd gone out of her way to be as far away from me as possible. Actually, she might have just been trying to stay as far away from Elizabeth as possible. I didnโt blame her; the woman was insufferable."And then I just about died from laughter!" Elizabeth tittered next to me. I had absolutely no idea what sheโd been yapping about. I was ready to go deaf if it meant I didn't have to listen to another word Elizabeth said. Unfortunately, she had an endless stream of words she was spouting, barely breathing as she spoke. Iโd assumed over the years that, at some point, she would realize I never listened to her, but she hadnโt happened as of today. I wasnโt sure what more I could do to show her my disinterest. I was pretty sure Alexander had a betting pool for that very event.I shared a glance with Alexander over the top of Elizabethโs head. I
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-17Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 26. Mom
ChloeI held onto Jolie's saddle horn with a death grip, desperate not to fall off. It was one thing to fall off when we weren't moving, but it was an entirely different thing to fall off when she was sprinting and holding nothing back.I was still shocked that Knox had shot at me. On some level, I recognized that if he'd wanted to injure - or, god forbid, kill me - he could have. No, he'd shot wide, missing me by a huge margin. It didn't make me forgive him, but it was nice to know he didn't want me dead.I screamed and ducked as we entered the tree line, a low-hanging branch nearly knocking me off. I only barely managed to stay on my horse.Jolie wove in and out of the ever-denser trees, not slowing at all. I knew it was only a matter of time before I was knocked off. I wasn't a skilled enough rider to stay on.Just as Iโd predicted, a large branch nailed me in the chest. I flew backward, landing on my head, the world instantly going black.It was a warm summer day, and the soft bre
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-17Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 27. My wolf was back
ChloeWith my heightened senses on loan from my wolf, I was able to run through the forest much more nimbly than I could have on my own. Despite the absolute terror I felt ripping through my body, I also felt exhilarated. My wolf was back โ well, kind of. Itโd been so long since I felt any bit of her that this connection was almost too much for me to handle.I jumped over a root that was sticking up in the path gracefully as if I had done it every day.I reached my senses out, trying to pick up on any sound behind me from other feet. I couldnโt tell between my deep breathing and the sound of my heartbeat in my ears, but I was pretty sure I was still being followed. I pushed myself to go faster, hoping that if I couldnโt outpace the animal, I could at least outrun it. Iโd been a long-distance runner in school; I could make it a great distance before I needed to take a break.Mate, my wolf hissed inside my head. I was so surprised that I tripped over my own feet, falling forward onto th
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-17Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 28.Blood
AdrianโAdrian!โ I heard Alexander call after me as I rode away. I ignored my brother. Nothing was going to stop me from finding my mate. She might not know that I was her mate, but Iโd felt the way her heart had picked up when we touched. Iโd be damned if I let anything happen to her before we could figure out our happiness.I didnโt know how, but I just knew something terrible was about to befall Chloe. I had to get to her as quickly as possible. Call it a sixth sense or simple intuition, but I knew something was about to happen to my mate. I wondered if a one-sided bond like ours could still convey information to me. I wished, for the millionth time, that we had acknowledged the mate bond already. If we had, I could have pulled on it and followed it to wherever Chloe was. Since we hadnโt, I was stuck simply tracking her scent like an animal.My heart ached in my chest, the same as if I had a physical wound. A mate bond was dual-sided โ it could be the most amazing thing in the worl
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-17Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 29.Princess Harper
ChloeIt took my brain several seconds to process what had just happened. I had been hurtling full force towards the edge of the cliff, unable to stop even though I knew I was about to tip over the edge and then... then someone had grabbed the back of my arm and yanked me around. The giant brown wolf that had saved my life had landed on top of me, knocking the air out of my lungs.By the time I'd regained my bearings, the wolf had transformed back into Adrian. His arms were still wrapped around me, holding me tightly as if he was scared I'd disappear if he let go.His scent wafted over me, and I shuddered. He smelled amazing.Incorrectly assuming my shudder was from pain, Adrian asked, concern lacing his voice, "Are you alright?""Yes." I wanted to say more, but I didn't know how."Thank god," Adrain groaned, dropping his head into the crook of my neck. It was a far more intimate feeling than I expected with his heavy breathing against the sensitive skin. Each breath felt like a gentl
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-17Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 30. King Charlesโ plan
ChloeBy the time we returned to the starting point, a crowd of people had formed and were waiting for us.โOh no,โ I muttered, straightening my spine so I wasnโt lounging against Adrian anymore. My head spun slightly, and I swayed.โBe careful,โ Adrian directed. โYou have a head wound.โโHarper!โ King Charles said, rushing over to us before I could answer. โAre you okay?โโShe needs to go to the Healer,โ Adrian said. โFather, help her down. I donโt want her to fall off. My horse is much taller than hers.โWith both of their assistance, I slid from the back of the horse with much more grace than I would have been able to exhibit on my own.โYouโre bleeding,โ King Charles said, his eyes crinkling in worry. He reached out to touch my head but pulled back before he actually made contact. I appreciated the restraint.โI hit my head when I fell from my horse,โ I admitted. Speaking of my horse, I glanced around and found Caden coming out of the trees with Jolie in tow. โSomeone should proba
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-17Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 31. The mate bond
ChloeโChloe,โ Adrian said.I opened my eyes and blinked, blinded by the bright sunlight in the garden. Weโd been back at the manor for several hours, and Iโd yet to run into Adrian after heโd interrupted my appointment with the healer. That was okay. I couldnโt completely dispel the unfortunate idea that maybe heโd been my mate in the forest. It was absurd.I hadnโt stopped trying to call upon my wolf, though. Iโd spent the last hour out here trying to get my wolf to show herself again. Sheโd refused.I was trying not to get down, but the lack of progress was really starting to get to me.โHi, Adrian,โ I sighed, rubbing at my eyes.He sat down on the bench next to me, surprising me. I turned to him with an eyebrow raised. โHave you been given the all-clear by Healer Angela?โAdrian nodded. โIโm right as rain.โโIโm not surprised,โ I admitted. โYou fell on top of me. Iโm pretty sure I cushioned your fall.โTo my surprise, Adrianโs cheeks turned a soft pink at my words. โNot on purpose
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-17Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 32. My wolf
AdrianSeeing Chloe in the gardens had calmed me down more than anything else had since I'd stopped her from tumbling over the edge. The sunlight had danced off her auburn hair, setting it on fire. It'd been bewitching, and Iโd taken a moment just to observe her before I approached."Don't kill your brother," Father sighed, rubbing a hand over his face."I'll try my best, but I make no promises. He royally fucked up, and you know it. He could have killed her!" I hissed, my white-hot anger making my words sharp."That he did." Father shook his head. "I have no idea why he'd thought this would be okay."โHeโs an idiot, thatโs why,โ I hissed. I wasnโt inclined to forgive my brother; Iโd only just managed to pull Chloe back before sheโd tumbled over to her death. If Iโd been even one second laterโฆ the thought sickened me.โIโll admit Iโve always been a bit lax with Knox,โ Father sighed. โHeโs the youngest, and I know that doesnโt excuse my behavior, but heโs always been the youngest. The
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-17
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Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 105. The Gray Pack
Caden“You really need to get over her,” my Beta, Jared, said, sitting down next to me. “It’s been years, Caden.”I ignored him and downed the rest of my beer. When I was done, I finally spoke. “I fucked up the best part of my life, Jared, allow me to mourn it as I see fit.”“I’m not arguing with you on that point,” Jared said, signaling for a beer from the bartender. “I’m just saying that you have to accept at some point that you were the one who broke the mate bond with Chloe, which means that you are responsible for no longer being with her. I get it; it sucks. But she’s married and has a couple kids. She’s never coming back.”I stared morosely into my empty mug. “I’m scared that I’m never going to find my second chance mate. I want my Luna, Jared.”
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 104. Biological father
Adrian“You know I don’t remember being Crown Prince as this exhausting,” I sighed, tearing off my tie.Chloe lounged in bed already, half asleep. She’d been in meetings all day and I knew she was exhausted. “I think being Crown Prince and being King Alpha are two different things, Adrian.”“Well, I’m tired.”Chloe shot me a sleepy smile. “Me too. Are you ready to come to bed yet, oh great one?”I chuckled. She’d started calling me that after I’d been crowned and while I normally would have balked at someone calling me that, with Chloe it was different. I knew she meant it only with love, not mocking at all. “I am ready.”I crawled into bed and collected Chloe in my arms. She felt so right pressed against me. If I wasn’t so tired I’d be all ov
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 103. Adventure
KnoxI came home from my travels just long enough to watch Chloe and Adrian be crowned King and Queen. Over the last couple of years, I’d traveled to 43 countries and met more shifters than I’d ever imagined. Some were werewolves like me, but I also met leopard shifters and dragon shifters, entire cultures with their own legacies and rules. It was incredible, and I felt like I’d grown so much as a person since I’d left.“I guess I have to call you Your Highness now,” I laughed, patting Adrian on the back.He shot me a bright smile. He looks happier than he has in years. Alexander and I made the right choice; Adrian should have always been on the throne. It was never our place. “You can just call me Adrian.”“Not brother?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.He rolled his eyes. “That works too, I suppose.&r
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 102. The new Queen
Chloe"You don't usually ask to see me without the kids," I teased Alexander as I sat down next to him on the bench. We'd agreed to meet at our favorite spot in the gardens, one weโd frequented often in the years since Adrian, and I moved our family back here at Fatherโs request. He hadnโt really needed to convince us; we loved the idea of our children being raised with their grandfather and uncles."There's something I need to speak to you about," Alexander sighed, unusually serious. He seemed more and more serious as of recently and I worried about him. He seemed to be wearing thin."Is everything alright? Did Father's cancer return?" I knew he'd just had some routine scans done and no one had mentioned the outcome. Maybe theyโd been keeping them from us on purpose?"No, nothing like that. No, it's something completely different." He closed his eyes for a moment as if he was gathering himself."I'm all ears," I said, leaning back. I was nervous about what he wanted to speak about.A
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 101. Charlieโs pregnancy
ChloeI debated for hours on whether or not I wanted to take the pregnancy test on my own or tell Adrian what I suspected. Iโd been alone the first time with Charlie, and Iโd been terrified, but things were different this time. I was married to my mate, and we lived in the Capital City near my father who doted on his grandson. In fact, both Alexander and Knox took their roles as uncles very seriously. I had a whole support system this time instead of just Caden.I almost told him I was going to take it but before I did I called Caden. Heโd been around the first pregnancy, and I knew heโd give me good advice.โWhatโs up, Chloe?โ Caden said when he answered the phone.โI think I might be pregnant,โ I said in a rush.Caden was silent for several heartbeats. โAm I supposed to be happy orโฆ supportive?โโHappy,โ I laughed. โIโm happy about the idea. But I donโt know whether I want to take the test with or without Adrian.โโOh,โ Caden said, understanding. โI see. Well, there isnโt one right a
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 100. Beautiful sight
AdrianI had never been as nervous as I was standing at the altar waiting for Chloe to walk down the aisle.Alexander leaned over. I had chosen him as my best man, although I had been close between him and Knox. โYou look like you're about to puke,โ Alexander said.โGee, thanks,โ I said. In reality, I thought I was about to pass out.โNerves?โ Caden asked from beside Alexander. I had chosen him as one of my groomsmen as well. To my surprise, we actually got along really well, and I considered him a close friend now, not to mention an uncle to Charlie. He loved my son, and I couldn't stay mad at anyone who loved my son.โDon't worry if you pass out, I'll pour some water on you,โ Knox offered.I ignored them and focused on trying to calm my breathing.The music for the bride started and we all turned towards the giant double doors, glancing over our 500 closest friends and family members that had been invited. The door swung open, and Father stepped out with Chloe on his arm. She was abs
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 99. Wedding dresses
ChloeI stared at the dress in the mirror, feeling absolutely helpless. โHow many wedding dresses do I really have to try on?โ I asked aloud.โUntil you feel like a Princess,โ the seamstress said. โReally, I don't remember any client being this difficult before.โโI'm sorry,โ I sighed. โIt's nothing with your design, though. It's absolutely beautiful. But ever since I gave birth to Charlie, I just don't feel comfortable in my skin anymore.โThe seamstress gave me a sympathetic smile. โI understand,โ she said. โI felt that way after the birth of all of my children. Don't get me wrong, I love them all very much, and I would do it 1000 times over if it meant I got to keep them. But it's hard adjusting to the new body you have as a mother.โโI just want my body to go back to the way it was before I gave birth,โ I admitted. In fact, I hadn't admitted this to anyone, and it was a relief to get it off my chest.The seamstress tutted. โThe sooner you get rid of that notion, the happier you'll
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 98. Married
AdrianI really really didn't want to go see Elizabeth she had haunted my doorstep for years and the thought that I was about to enter her house was too much for me to bear.Unfortunately my wife had other ideas, and I couldn't tell her no.I didn't bother sending Elizabeth any warning that I was on my way. I didn't want her to get anything ready for me. With her, who knew what she would come up with.I knocked on her front door and when the Butler opened it his eyes widened in shock. โPrince Adrian. It's been a while.โโSo it has. Is Elizabeth home?โ I askedHe nodded slowly. โAre you sure you would like to see her?โโI would,โ I confirmed.He led me into the drawing room and motioned towards the couch to sit down. โI'll go grab the lady.โThe couches were made for style more than comfort and I was still shifting around trying to get comfortable when Elizabeth rushed into the room. It was clear that she had sprinted from whatever other part of the house she'd been in in order to get t
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Gameย ย ย 97. Prominent family
AdrianAs I watched Chloe prance down the hallway of the palace, I realized there were few things in this life that I loved more than her. In fact, I couldn't think of any besides Charlie, who I loved just as much as his mother. I couldn't believe my life had gotten so bright. I never would have been this happy as Crown Prince and I knew that although Chloe feels somewhat responsible for me stepping down, it was one of the best decisions of my life.โChloe,โ I called after her when she was halfway down the hall.She paused and glanced back at me. โWhat?โ she asked.โYou're going the wrong way,โ I pointed out.Chloe frowned at me. โWhat do you mean? The practice area is out back behind the gardens.โโIt is,โ I said. โBut the gardens are this way,โ I said, pointing the opposite direction of where she was headed.Chloe looked at me, embarrassed. โSorry, I only had just gotten the hang of the palace when I was here the first time, and I've been gone for so long, and with pregnancy brain I
