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74. Moon Goddess
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2025-04-01 08:52:33Chloe
I closed the storage unit door, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. It had been hard sorting through the remnants of my family’s lives and deciding what to keep and what to let go of.
The house was finally cleared out of everyone’s belonging and they were all stuffed in the storage unit. I wasn’t ready to part with any of them just yet, so the storage unit stood as a testament to my indecision.
Caden had offered to help almost every day, and I felt a twinge of guilt as I recalled how often I’d turned him down. I knew his heart was in the right place, but this was something that I needed to do alone. I’d probably accept his help on other things, but not this.
Even though he’d been so kind, I couldn’t accept his romantic gestures. Maybe it was the weight of my own emotions, or simply the fear that I’d never love him the way I loved Adrian, but something held me back from accepting his offer.
That night,
Bab terkait
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 75. Secret
BylesI really didn’t want to go to family dinner on Sunday, but I knew Charles would have questions if I didn’t show up. I’d made excuses the last two weeks, and I knew another excuse wouldn’t be tolerated. Charles had always been big on family time. It was ironic, really, given the fact that neither he nor Natalie had been faithful to each other.I thought I’d gotten used to living with the guilt of my secret, but apparently, I hadn’t. As I walked into the dining room, my eyes were drawn to Adrian. I was genuinely shocked by his appearance; he looked terrible. Adrian was usually so put together, but today his clothes were disheveled, and his face was pale and drawn.I felt a twinge of guilt when I realized I had continued to whatever he was going through, even if I hadn’t meant to. I loved my nephew – he was more friend than nephew, far closer in age to me than my brother. That just made it worse, as far as I was concerned.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 76. Sister-in-law
BylesI stood there silently, watching Adrian absorb the life changing words.“I am not his son?” he choked out, his face deathly pale.“You are not,” I confirmed, shaking my head slowly.“And my brothers?”“They are his sons. They are technically your half siblings.” I could see the hurt flash across his face at my words. I thought the pain of finding out he was the only one with a different father might be even more painful than the initial revelation.“Then whose son, am I?”I knew the next bit of information wasn’t going to be any less painful for him. “Your mother, the Queen Luna, had numerous affairs during her reign,” I explained, my voice steady, “Just as your father had his affair with Suzanne, your mother found comfort in the arms of other men.”Adrian’s eyes widened as he realized that his parent’s marriage was far more complex than he’d imagined. “So, who is my real
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 77. DNA results
AdrianByles’ revelation about my true parentage left me reeling. I had always believed I was the Crown Prince, but now I realized I was an imposter in my own family.As the truth dank in, I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about my mother. “How many affairs did she have?” I asked my voice shaking slightly. “Did she sleep around with whoever happened to be near?”Byles gave me a sharp look. “No, your mother was careful with her lovers. Not only were they discrete, but they were also of higher status. They all knew your mother would never marry then, and they all accepted the limitations she put on their relationships.”“Did she love them?” My voice sounded strangled even to my own ears.“Some, I think. Others were just physical releases to her. To be honest, I never wanted to know the details, so I never asked. I’ll admit I was jealous of those she chose to take into her bed.”“Did
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-03Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 78. Half-brother
AdrianI walked away from Uncle Byles feeling like I was leaving a piece of myself behind. I was confused, more than anything. I wanted to confront my mother and make her tell me the truth – the whole truth - but she’d been gone for years. There was no way to speak to her, now. I wondered if she’d be upset with Uncle Byles for telling me. I hoped not. He had finally done the right thing, as far as I was concerned.Even though a part of me was desperate for the truth, another part of me was scared to hear it. I knew that I was on thin ice at this point – one wrong move and I’d shatter into a million pieces. The next couple of days passed in a blur, and I withdrew into myself even more than when I had just been missing Chloe.I became a ghost in my own home, moving silently through the rooms, avoiding any conversation and seeking solitude. My mind was a mess, one that even I couldn’t sort through completely. Between Chloe and my mother’s s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-04Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 79. The Queen
AdrianI decided I had to tell Father – no, he was King Charles now – about my parentage. He deserved to know that I wasn’t his biological son, even if I had to reveal that his wife had affairs he’d known nothing about. I knew that revealing the truth would be hard, but it was something I had to do, I couldn’t live with the guilt.I respected the man so much, and.I knew if I was in his position, I would want ot know. I would want the son I raised to be a strong enough person to face the truth and share it. It was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever done, save for letting Chloe go. But it was something that I really needed to do. It was the right thing, and I kenw that the right thing wasn’t always the easy thing.The weight of this secret was too much for me to carry any longer, and he deserved to know I wasn’t his biological child. What he decided to do with that information was up to him, but I had to give him the options.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-05Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 80. Potential consequences
AdrianI spent the night tossing and turning, my thoughts racing from one extreme to another. Whether or not I should renounce my claim to the throne or not weighed on me and kept me from getting any rest. I felt like my whole identity was wrapped in the succession, and now it was all possibly going to vanish. Was I even the same person if I didn’t have the crown?It was startling to realize that I didn’t know who I was outside of being Crown Prince. It had shaped my entire life, and I had nbo clue who I was outside of it. How had Chloe loved me when I didn’t even know who I was? What if I gave up the crown, found Chloe, and she didn’t even want me anymore?I knew the thought was silly – Chloe wasn’t that shallow. If she’d really been after me just because I was the Crown Prince, she wouldn’t have left because she couldn’t handle the position. There were so many factors that could stop her from wanting me, but giving up the throne wasn’t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 81. Kid brother
AdrianIt was a busy couple of months organizing the transition from me to Alexander. I knew there were moments where my brother felt overwhelmed, but he never guilted me for choosing to abdicate. His life had been upended just as surely as mine had, and he had every right to be upset, but if he was, he kept it to himself.If there was one thing I’d learned from this whole royal thing, it was that being a Crown Prince was a lot like herding cats. Except that the cats were dignitaries and nobles, and instead of herding you’re trying to wrangle them into carriers. They couldn’t seem to agree on anything and were a constant source of headaches for all of us.Ever my faithful advisor and right-hand man, Alexander had the unenviable task dealing with me. I’d carried much of the work for our public projects, and getting Alexander up to date on all of them was a headache for both of us. There were so many details he had to know before I could l
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 82. Breakfast
ChloeCaden appeared on my doorstep Sunday morning but to my surprise he didn’t have any breakfast with him. It’d become out routine over the last couple of months for him to bring breakfast by on Sunday mornings and share it with me.I opened the door with a frown. “Where’s the food?”He gave me a small smile. “I thought we’d try something else,” he said carefully.“What?”“Why don’t we go to the diner? You love their breakfast.”I opened my mouth and then shut it without responding. I could think of several reasons why I didn’t want to do that. For starters, I was visibly pregnant, and I didn’t need any rumors going around that the baby was Caden’s. Half the town already assumed it was his, and he was doing little to dispel the rumor. I also didn’t want anyone to stare at me because of what happened with my mom and Leah. I didn’t anyone’s sympathy. Not like that, at least. Not like I was a sideshow attraction.“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” I hedge.“Come on, Chloe. You’
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-07
Bab terbaru
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 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 Game 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 Game 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 we’d frequented often in the years since Adrian, and I moved our family back here at Father’s request. He hadn’t 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 they’d 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 Game 101. Charlie’s 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. I’d been alone the first time with Charlie, and I’d 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. He’d been around the first pregnancy, and I knew he’d give me good advice.“What’s up, Chloe?” Caden said when he answered the phone.“I think I might be pregnant,” I said in a rush.Caden was silent for several heartbeats. “Am I supposed to be happy or… supportive?”“Happy,” I laughed. “I’m happy about the idea. But I don’t know whether I want to take the test with or without Adrian.”“Oh,” Caden said, understanding. “I see. Well, there isn’t one right a
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 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. “You look like you're about to puke,” Alexander said.“Gee, thanks,” I said. In reality, I thought I was about to pass out.“Nerves?” 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.“Don't worry if you pass out, I'll pour some water on you,” 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 Game 99. Wedding dresses
ChloeI stared at the dress in the mirror, feeling absolutely helpless. “How many wedding dresses do I really have to try on?” I asked aloud.“Until you feel like a Princess,” the seamstress said. “Really, I don't remember any client being this difficult before.”“I'm sorry,” I sighed. “It'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.”The seamstress gave me a sympathetic smile. “I understand,” she said. “I 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.”“I just want my body to go back to the way it was before I gave birth,” 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. “The sooner you get rid of that notion, the happier you'll
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 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. “Prince Adrian. It's been a while.”“So it has. Is Elizabeth home?” I askedHe nodded slowly. “Are you sure you would like to see her?”“I would,” I confirmed.He led me into the drawing room and motioned towards the couch to sit down. “I'll go grab the lady.”The 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 Game 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.“Chloe,” I called after her when she was halfway down the hall.She paused and glanced back at me. “What?” she asked.“You're going the wrong way,” I pointed out.Chloe frowned at me. “What do you mean? The practice area is out back behind the gardens.”“It is,” I said. “But the gardens are this way,” I said, pointing the opposite direction of where she was headed.Chloe looked at me, embarrassed. “Sorry, 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
Rejected, Princess Mate Selection Game 96. Trust me
Chloe“Adrian,” I sighed, pressing back into his chest as he kissed down my neck.“Yes, my dear?” he said, the words whispering against my skin.“We don’t have time for this.” I could feel his growing erection against my ass.“Charlie is with his uncles,” Adrian pointed out. “When do we have a moment alone these days?”I considered him. “I have a better Idea than sex.”“There is no better idea than sex, but I’m willing to add something to our to-do list if it sounds interesting enough.”I rolled my eyes. “Can we go for a run? I haven’t shifted since I gave birth, and the Healer gave me the all clear yesterday.”“Fine, we can have sex and then we can go on a run. Happy?”“Thrilled,” I said, turning in his arms. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear, actually.”Adrian chuckled and lowered his lips to mine. I sighed into his mouth, and he swept in, our tongues tangling. He tasted like sunshine and warmth and happiness.He rolled over me, bracing his arms on either side of my head. “Do you
