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Chapter 18
Last Updated:
2024-12-05 03:01:04
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The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 19
Over the next few days, Ryker and I began to carve out a strange kind of truce, a delicate balance between us. My initial fear of him, so heavy and oppressive, didn’t just vanish overnight. That was something I had known from the beginning. It was always going to take time to unwind the tight knots of fear and uncertainty that had coiled themselves around me. But now, I noticed with some surprise, there were moments when I didn’t jump at his presence, or freeze up when he walked by. And though I couldn’t say I felt completely at ease yet, I felt a shift. It wasn’t that I stopped fearing him—it was that I had fewer reasons to. I had seen how he treated the omegas in his pack, with a kind of quiet respect, a responsibility that ran deeper than I had expected. Slowly, I was starting to believe there might be more to him than just the cold, intimidating alpha that I’d first met. It was a strange, cautious peace, but I took it as a victory.The healing of my leg was another small victory.
Last Updated : 2024-12-06The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 20
The rest of the day passed in a strange and unsettling silence. After we finished breakfast together, Ryker disappeared. It wasn’t like him to just vanish, and it left a void in the house. The space felt unnaturally still, almost hollow. I was so used to his presence—his warmth, his deep voice filling the rooms, his subtle but constant awareness of me—that it was jarring not to have him around. It felt as though the house had lost its heartbeat, and my own rhythm faltered in response to the absence.Eve noticed my mood and, in an effort to keep me distracted, spent the day telling me stories about life in the pack. Her voice, soft but steady, brought some semblance of comfort. She wasn’t born into this life, she told me. She had been a rogue, wandering alone until, at the age of five, she accidentally wandered into the pack's territory. The former Luna had found her, taken pity on her, and made her an omega. The pack had become her family, and her story, tragic yet hopeful, held me ra
Last Updated : 2024-12-06The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 21
The sun had barely risen, its faint light filtering through the trees as I stood alongside Ryker in the early morning quiet. The crisp, cool air nipped at my skin, and the damp earth beneath our feet seemed to hum with the weight of untold stories. Our training was the same as yesterday—focused and relentless. But today, there was a sense of urgency, a tension I could feel in every movement Ryker made. Though he tried to hide it, I could see it in the way his jaw clenched, the way his eyes darted to the horizon as though expecting trouble. He was still worried about the rogue, I knew that much. But despite everything, he chose to be with me rather than delegate my training to someone else. I appreciated that, more than he probably realized.As the morning wore on, the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional bird call were the only sounds that accompanied us. My body ached from the exertion, but I kept pushing, determined to keep up. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her—Laur
Last Updated : 2024-12-07The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 22
I locked myself in my room the entire day, the weight of guilt pressing heavily on my chest, suffocating me. Eve had come by to offer lunch, but I couldn’t even bring myself to take a bite. The thought of what I had done to Lauren twisted like a blade in my heart. I couldn’t even begin to fathom how she felt, having me still in this house, after everything. The air in my room felt suffocating, my mind swirling with regrets, and every corner seemed to echo with the silence of my shame.The hours dragged by, each minute stretching endlessly. As the evening approached, I began to rehearse the speech I had prepared for Ryker. I must’ve gone over it a thousand times in my mind, each time tweaking it, refining it, trying to make it sound as sincere as possible. The plan was simple—wait until dinner, thank him for everything he’d done for me, and tell him that it was time for me to leave. I would tell him I needed to give him and Lauren the space they deserved, even if it meant tearing mysel
Last Updated : 2024-12-07The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 23
A shadow passed over his features, and in that brief flicker, I saw something that made my stomach tighten. It was an emotion so raw, so stark, it threatened to unravel the calm facade he’d so carefully maintained. The deep, hidden sadness behind his eyes was palpable, as though it had been festering for far too long. I almost felt a pang of guilt for bringing it up, but the weight of the conversation demanded it. I needed to know, and he needed to confront it.“What do you know about it?” he asked at last, his voice barely above a whisper, but sharp enough to cut through the tension.“I know that you and Lauren were having a child,” I said, careful with each word. My mind raced to find the best way to explain without dragging Eve into it. “I know it was a recent loss because of how Lauren reacted to it.”The words hung heavy in the air. The silence that followed was suffocating, pressing down on me as if the very walls of the room could collapse under the weight of our unspoken truth
Last Updated : 2024-12-08The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 24
Sleep eluded me, a cruel companion to the unrelenting heaviness of the day’s events. My mind was crowded with a myriad of thoughts, but one lingered, persistent and stubborn—Ryker. I couldn’t shake the way my heart had thudded in my chest when he’d looked at me, his expression unreadable, his presence all-consuming. I wasn’t ready to admit it, but I felt it deep within me—he was the reason I couldn’t sleep. The sky outside my window gradually shifted from dark to a pale, melancholy blue, the soft glow of dawn creeping through the blinds. There would be no chance of returning to slumber now. With a sigh, I resigned myself to the fact that the quiet, peaceful morning I had hoped for wasn’t meant to be. Instead, I lay in bed a moment longer, reflecting on how different life had become since I’d arrived here. Before I came, there had been no routine, no physical exertion to fill my day. But now, it seemed as though every day was a cycle of training, learning, and growing, both physical
Last Updated : 2024-12-08The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 25
Ryker’s presence was like a lingering shadow, one I couldn’t seem to escape, no matter how much I tried. For the entire day, I kept to my room, a self-imposed exile meant to avoid him at all costs. My sanctuary became a quiet haven, though the walls seemed to grow closer with every passing hour. I knew he was just down the hall, likely resting in his room, but I couldn’t bring myself to risk running into him. Not yet.Eve, ever the observant one, clearly noticed something was wrong. Her curious glances spoke volumes, but she didn’t push me for an explanation. When I informed her, with a hint of finality, that I’d be taking all my meals in my room, she simply nodded and left without protest. Her silence was comforting in its way. She understood my need for space, even if she didn’t understand why.By morning, my strategy unraveled. After a restless night, I rose early, seeking solace in the steady routine of bathing and dressing. Steam from the hot water clung to the bathroom mirror, a
Last Updated : 2024-12-09The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 26
A shadow swept over his face at the mere mention of the name, dark and forbidding like a storm brewing on a distant horizon. My breath hitched, my chest tightening with unease as I watched him. His jaw ticked, his eyes narrowing slightly, and I couldn’t help but wonder what thoughts were churning behind his steely gaze.“I know of him,” Ryker said at last, his voice as calm as the surface of a frozen lake. But there was an edge to it, sharp enough to slice through the tension hanging between us. “Although, if I’m not mistaken, he isn’t Alpha yet.”I nodded. “His father is Alpha, but he practically leads already.”“He rejected you.” It wasn’t a question. The words landed like a hammer, blunt and unyielding, yet the weight of his tone demanded a response.“Yes,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.“Then he’s a f**king idiot,” he stated, the venom in his words catching me completely off guard.My eyes widened in shock, my heart skipping a beat. Of all the things I’d expected him to say
Last Updated : 2024-12-09
Latest chapter
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 147
Camilla could barely contain her anticipation. The moment they stepped into the house, she and Ryker rushed up the stairs, their only source of light a dimly flickering lamp. The wooden box sat on the bed between them, its lock gleaming under the glow. Her fingers trembled as she slid the key into place. A click echoed in the silent room, and the lid creaked open.Her breath caught in her throat.She had feared that time and the elements would have reduced the contents to dust, but to her astonishment, the bound stack of letters was pristine—almost as if someone had placed them there just days ago. Slowly, she untied the ribbon binding the pages together. Her heart lurched when she read the first words.*To my daughter.*Not her name, but the words still sent a shiver through her.She turned to Ryker, brows furrowed. “It’s addressed to me.”He leaned closer, peering at the paper before glancing up with a shrug. “Only one way to find out what he had to say.”As she lifted the lamp, its
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 146
**CAMILLA'S P.O.V**A sharp tremor wracked my body as I sucked in a shallow, uneven breath. My knees threatened to give out beneath me, but all I could think about was my daughter, cradled in my arms. I clung to her desperately, unwilling to let go even as the world around me blurred. I barely registered Ryker appearing beside me, his arms slipping around Aurora before I collapsed. The moment Briggs' grip loosened, the unbearable pressure in my chest eased, and I gasped, greedily sucking in air as if I'd been drowning.“Are you alright?” Briggs’ voice reached me, laced with concern. He moved toward me, his hands outstretched, but I flinched back, my reaction sharper than I intended. He hesitated, brows furrowing in confusion. “Did I do something wrong? Do you need me to get something for you?”I knew this wasn’t his fault. He looked as baffled as I felt. But I couldn’t afford to risk another wave of that unbearable sensation. If it happened again, I was certain I’d lose consciousness.
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 145
CAMILLA’S P.O.VA violent shudder wracked my body as I struggled to steady my breath. My grip on my daughter tightened, fear coursing through me like a relentless tide. I couldn’t drop her. No matter what was happening to me, I had to keep holding on.I barely registered Ryker appearing at my side, his presence swift and sure. He took Aurora from my arms, his touch gentle, and the moment she left my grasp, my knees buckled. I collapsed, gasping as the crushing weight that had been suffocating me lifted. My limbs felt hollow, drained of all strength as if I had been fighting against something invisible yet suffocating.Briggs’ hands had been on me just moments ago. How long? Seconds? Minutes? It had felt like an eternity.“Camilla?” His voice was uncertain, edged with concern. “Are you alright?” He reached for me again, but I flinched away, my reaction more forceful than I intended.Briggs hesitated, his brows furrowing. “Did I do something? Do you need—?”“No,” I rasped, cutting him o
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 144
CAMILLA’S P.O.VRyker had convinced me it would be better to wait until the kids were asleep before digging, so I spent the entire evening restless. My skin itched with anticipation, my mind spinning with possibilities. What could my father have hidden? He was frustrating in many ways, but his treasure hunts had always been clever, almost addicting. If this had happened at a different time—when an enemy wasn’t lurking in the shadows—I might have actually enjoyed the challenge.I just prayed that whatever lay beneath that tree wasn’t another one of his messes waiting to explode in my face.Once both kids were tucked in their beds, their peaceful breathing filling the quiet house, I kissed their foreheads and hurried outside. Ryker was already waiting, holding a lamp in one hand and a shovel in the other, his expression unreadable. While excitement coursed through me, he was only here for my sake."You don't have to do this," I whispered, hesitant. "It's late, and for all we know, this
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 143
Camilla’s POVThe estate was grander than I’d imagined. The moment I stepped inside, reality set in—my father never did anything halfway. This might have been his retreat, but he spared no expense making it as luxurious as possible. The crystal chandeliers sparkled above, casting a golden glow over the polished marble floors. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and velvet drapes framed the tall windows, letting in the soft glow of the evening sun. It was a stark reminder of the wealth he wielded, the power he once held.We washed away the exhaustion of the palace, exchanging travel-worn clothes for fresh, soft fabrics that smelled of lavender and something faintly familiar—like home, but not quite. I exhaled, and for the first time in what felt like years, my lungs expanded fully. There was a lightness in the air here, something almost intoxicating. Was it freedom? Or just an illusion of it?Dinner was a quiet affair, the kind that settles into your bones and warms you from the inside.
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 142
CAMILLA’S P.O.VI sat in stunned silence, barely processing what had just happened. Ryker had planned everything. Every single detail had already been arranged. The only thing left was for us to leave.A vacation. We desperately needed one, but I hadn't expected him to take matters into his own hands. It wasn’t like we ever had the luxury of peace, not with everything we had endured.The carriage rocked gently as it rolled away from the palace, and despite myself, I felt a tinge of excitement. My feet bounced slightly against the wooden floorboards, a telltale sign of my anticipation. Across from us, Audrey sat with her small hands gripping the edge of her seat, her eyes darting toward the window. In Ryker’s arms, Aurora lay nestled against his chest, her tiny breaths even and peaceful.“Where are we going, Mommy?” Audrey’s soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. Her brows furrowed as she peered outside, recognition flickering in her eyes. “This road looks familiar… like the one we too
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 141
RYKER'S POVThere was always a voice in the back of my head—relentless, nagging, a constant reminder that I should be doing something more productive. It never left me, not even for a second. Maybe because, unlike most children, I never had the luxury of lazy days or the freedom to do nothing. My life had been an endless cycle of lessons, training, and expectations. There was always something I didn’t do well enough, something I needed to perfect, something my father drilled into me with an iron will.And even though he had been gone for years—longer than I cared to count—the weight of his influence still clung to me, refusing to loosen its grip.I exhaled, pushing the thoughts aside as I sat up in bed, my gaze settling on Camilla. She moved around the room effortlessly, wrapped in nothing but our tangled sheets. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, messy from sleep but still perfect in a way that made my chest tighten. She wasn’t trying to tease me, I knew that. But go
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 140
CAMILLA’S POVAs per tradition, we couldn’t leave until the place was completely cleared. It was a long-standing rule—one we had followed for years. Only when the last person had returned to their home and the executioner had carried the body away did we dare to step forward.I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, refusing to look. I knew if I did, nausea would overwhelm me. My stomach was already twisted into painful knots, my throat dry as if it had been scorched. I wanted to convince myself that I didn’t care, that this was just another consequence of a cruel world. But deep down, I knew the truth—I still had a softness in me, one that Ryker didn’t share.Unlike him, I believed that if fate had been kinder, if circumstances had been different, she might have been, too.Ryker’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.“Everything’s been cleared out.”I swallowed hard and forced myself to glance up. The guillotine stood tall against the darkening sky, its blade gleaming with fresh blood. The g
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 139
CAMILLA’S POVThe sun was beginning to dip beyond the palace walls, casting golden streaks across the sky as Ryker and I strolled through the grounds. The afternoon had been peaceful, just the two of us walking aimlessly, enjoying the rare quiet moments in our otherwise chaotic lives. But eventually, duty called, and we decided to pick Audrey up from school ourselves.The second she spotted us, her shriek nearly shattered my eardrums.“Mama! Papa!” She came running at full speed, her tiny feet barely touching the ground as she launched herself into my arms. I caught her with a laugh, staggering slightly under her enthusiasm.“I missed you!” she declared, squeezing my neck as though she never wanted to let go.“We were only gone for a few hours,” I reminded her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.“That’s forever!” she argued, her voice muffled against my shoulder.Ryker chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Did you have a good day at school?”That was all the encouragement she needed. Fro
