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Chapter 21
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2024-12-07 05:06:42Related chapters
The 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 : 2024-12-09The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 27
I was so stunned by the announcement that it felt like the ground had been pulled from under me. All I could do was gape at the guard, my mind struggling to process what he had just said. The urgency in his tone echoed in my ears like the tolling of a warning bell. But while I was frozen in place, Ryker wasted no time. With a sharp intake of breath, he pushed to his feet, his movements steady and deliberate despite the heaviness in the air.He assured the guard that he would join them shortly before making his way toward me. He lowered himself into a crouch, sitting on his haunches until our eyes were level. The dim lighting cast soft shadows across his face, making the sharp lines of his jaw even more pronounced. His presence was both grounding and unsettling—a calm in the storm that made me realize just how much I was worrying.“You’re hurt,” I managed to say, my voice trembling as I broke the heavy silence. “You were in pain just moments ago. Should you really be out fighting rogue
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 28
Eve left shortly after to heat up my breakfast, leaving me to retreat to my room and prepare for the day. The conversation with Lauren still lingered in my mind like the faint sting of a freshly healed wound, yet oddly, it left me feeling empowered. The satisfaction of standing up to her was intoxicating, a newfound strength I hadn’t known I possessed. My lips curved upward in a small, fleeting smile.After getting dressed, I made my way downstairs, expecting Lauren to be prowling around somewhere, her sharp gaze scrutinizing everything as always. Instead, the dining room greeted me with an unexpected silence. The room was empty, save for a lone tray of food set neatly at my usual spot. My stomach growled at the sight, the aroma of freshly prepared food curling through the air and tugging at my hunger. I hadn’t realized just how ravenous I was until I took that first bite. The flavors burst on my tongue, warm and comforting, chasing away the remnants of my earlier tension.As I ate, E
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 29
I tried not to dwell on his words, my heart pounding as I dashed through the dense forest. Each step was a desperate plea to outrun the inevitable, the undergrowth crunching beneath my boots. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, mingling with the metallic tang of fear that clung to me. Behind me, heavy footsteps thudded against the ground, relentless and unforgiving. I pushed forward, weaving between towering trees that loomed like silent sentinels, the moonlight casting ghostly patterns across the forest floor.I burst into a clearing, my chest heaving as I gulped in the air. The open space offered no solace—only an unbroken expanse of trees stretching endlessly on every side. My pulse thundered in my ears, drowning out the faint rustle of leaves until a sharp crack snapped me back to reality.A twig.I spun around, dread coiling in my stomach. From the shadows, three figures emerged, their movements predatory and deliberate. The man in the middle, the one I’d see
Last Updated : 2024-12-11
Latest chapter
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 53
As soon as I crossed the threshold of the pack's protective walls, the façade I had carefully maintained all day shattered. My breath came in shallow, ragged gasps as I leaned against the cold, unyielding stone for support. I had thought dealing with Ryker would be the most challenging part of today, but I hadn't accounted for Tyson's presence.For years, I had forced him into the shadows of my mind, locking the memories away where they couldn't hurt me. I wasn’t still hung up on what he did—at least that’s what I told myself. I had fought tooth and nail to reclaim my life, to move forward. Yet seeing him again felt like being plunged into frigid water, the air snatched from my lungs, and no means to resurface.For a fleeting moment, the thought of calling off the ceremony crossed my mind. But the weight of my duty crushed that idea before it could take root. I couldn’t let two men—two ghosts of my past—derail the future of our kingdom. Still, understanding my responsibilities didn’t
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 52
I hadn’t seen Ryker again since that day. Two days had passed, and his absence lingered in my mind like an unanswered question. I tried to suppress my curiosity, but my family saw through me as they always did. Christine eventually let it slip that he was staying in the palace guesthouse.Knowing he was so close felt strange, almost suffocating. Just a short walk separated us, and the proximity unsettled me in ways I couldn’t explain. They say “out of sight, out of mind,” but whoever coined that phrase never had someone like Ryker looming just within reach. He was a storm cloud on my horizon, refusing to dissipate.Then there was the dress—my looming nightmare. The designers paraded sketch after sketch before me, yet none resonated. Each one felt lifeless, uninspired, and the indecision gnawed at me. They needed my approval by tomorrow, and I had nothing to give. The frustration weighed on me, a heavy stone tied to my every thought.The only solace I had was Audrey. Somehow, my little
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 51
“Christine, I need you to get her for me,” I said, my voice trembling as I struggled to calm my breathing.Christine’s brows furrowed, her arms crossing tightly over her chest as she gave me a sharp look. Her gaze was unreadable, but the tension in her posture screamed a mix of frustration, concern, and perhaps even a desire to smack some sense into me. She exhaled heavily, tilting her head slightly to glance past the pillar. I mirrored her movement, peering out into the garden where Ryker stood.He was animatedly speaking to Audrey, his deep voice carrying on the breeze. His stance was relaxed, but there was a subtle tension in the way his eyes darted around, scanning the surroundings like he was searching for something—or someone.I ducked back behind the pillar, pressing myself against the cool stone, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs. “Please,” I whispered desperately, my voice cracking. “Before he asks who her mother is and she mentions me. I can’t face him yet—I’m not ready
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 50
The preparations for the ceremony started immediately, overwhelming me like an unstoppable tidal wave. It was like being pulled into a whirlpool of constant activity—meetings, lessons, and expectations. Day after day, I was swept along, learning everything about how a crowned princess should behave, from the way I spoke to the way I walked. I was taught what I was allowed to say in public and, more importantly, what I wasn’t. There were so many rules, some obvious, some subtle, but they all pressed down on me, suffocating my sense of freedom.It was exhausting. Every night, I collapsed into bed with the hopes that the following day would be the last lesson, the last meeting, but each morning, I woke up to the realization that there was always more to be done. Audrey, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, was simply excited about the grand party that was to come. She noticed that I was busier than usual, but her world was filled with bright, simple joys, like dressing up and playi
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 49
Audrey Valentina Caine was born about seven months after I ran away from Ryker. The pregnancy came as a complete shock to me. I didn’t even know I was carrying a child, not until that very day when Christine found me in the bathroom, tears streaming down my face, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the discovery. I didn’t know what to do. The thought of raising a child alone paralyzed me with uncertainty.But despite my fears and the chaos I often felt, Christine was there for me in ways that no one else could be. And to my surprise, so was my mother. She had missed so much of my life, but now she was determined to make up for it by pouring all her love into Audrey. The little girl, as oblivious as she was to all the struggles around her, was adored. And I don’t think she even realized the magnitude of that love. Everyone in this grand palace was wrapped around her little finger, and she didn’t have to do a thing to earn it. I named her Audrey because the name felt right, and part of m
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 48
FOUR YEARS LATERThe crisp bite of the early morning air brushed against my exposed skin, sending a shiver that traced the length of my spine. I hadn't expected it to be this cold, especially not in August. It was too early for this kind of chill; I always thought it would come with September, with the sharpness of fall settling in. But here I was, wrapped in nothing but a sleeveless dress, feeling the wind bite through the thin fabric as though it were a warning.I pulled my arms closer to my sides in a weak attempt to shield myself from the growing cold, but it didn’t help much. My thoughts were far from the chill of the weather. Instead, they lingered on memories long buried, memories of Ryker. August was always the month that made me think of him, the month I ran, the month I left him behind. And yet, four years later, I couldn’t escape him. His face, his voice, the love and the pain... they lingered in the back of my mind, haunting me with every step I took away from the life I h
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 47
I sprinted, my legs burning with each step as I raced away from the office and back downstairs. My heart pounded in my chest, the rhythm erratic, as if it knew something I couldn’t grasp. The weight of the truth hung heavy in the air, thick like smoke, suffocating me with every breath. I couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone what I had witnessed. My mouth felt dry, words trapped in my throat like a prisoner behind a wall. I couldn’t even speak them to myself—let alone to anyone else.The entire day felt like a blur. I forced myself to go through the motions, trying to appear composed, trying to act like everything was normal, but inside I was crumbling. My thoughts were a whirlwind, a storm of questions and doubts, but I couldn’t find the answers I was desperate for. Riley noticed. She asked me about the mating ceremony with an intensity that stung, but I couldn’t bring myself to shout the truth at her. The only thing I wanted in that moment was to escape, to return to my own bed, to s
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 46
The air was thick with unease the moment I stepped into the living room. My heart stumbled when I saw Damien sitting there, dressed to the nines in his usual immaculate style, talking casually with Eve as though this were the most natural thing in the world. The soft rustle of fabric and muted voices seemed to echo louder than they should have, and the tension clung to the room like an unwelcome guest.Ryker’s surprise mirrored my own. I caught his sharp glance and realized something was off. If Ryker hadn’t expected Damien’s presence, then Eve certainly hadn’t either. A chill crept up my spine as I pieced it together.Before I could decide what to do, I heard the familiar sound of Eve’s light footsteps skipping down the stairs, each step like a note in a song I knew by heart. Her carefree rhythm faltered as her gaze landed on Damien. She froze for a moment, then spun on her heel and retreated upstairs, her steps now hurried, almost frantic.I turned to Ryker, whose confusion was evid
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 45
I spent the remainder of my day in Ryker’s office. His quiet presence was a comfort, anchoring me in a way I hadn’t expected. The air between us was calm yet alive, like the steady rhythm of waves kissing the shore. While I poured over texts about the mating ceremony and began sketching vague plans for what I envisioned, Ryker worked at his desk, the scratch of his pen against paper and the occasional shuffling of documents punctuating the stillness.Every so often, I felt his eyes on me, their weight a quiet invitation to meet his gaze. When I did, he would smile—soft, warm, and completely disarming. It was a smile that reached into my chest and made my pulse flutter. At one such moment, his eyes caught mine, and there was a flicker of something unspoken, a question lingering on his lips. I was certain he was about to say something when the door burst open without so much as a knock.I didn’t have to look up to know it was Riley. Only she would dare enter Ryker’s sanctuary so brazenl
