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Chapter 27
Last Updated:
2024-12-10 03:05:17
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The 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 : 2024-12-11The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 30
CAMILLA’S P.O.VThe first thing I noticed when I stirred was the sharp, clinical tang of antiseptic hanging in the air. It invaded my nostrils, a stark contrast to the warm, earthy scent of home. It clung persistently, mingled with the faint chemical aroma of cleaning agents. My nose wrinkled in protest, but the smell wouldn’t dissipate—it seemed to grow stronger, more invasive with each passing second.My eyelids felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion, but even through them, I could sense the brightness of the room. It was piercing, unnatural, seeping through my closed lids like sunlight through thin curtains. The intensity was enough to make me recoil inwardly, resisting the urge to open my eyes. For a while, I lay there in stillness, letting the sensations wash over me. The scent. The light. The dull ache throughout my body.Then it came rushing back.Home. Eve and Lauren. The rogues.The memory hit me like a storm. My heart thundered as I bolted upright with a gasp, only for a sea
Last Updated : 2024-12-11The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 31
When I finally woke up, the room was shrouded in shadows. The soft amber glow of the lamp near the window cast faint, wavering patterns on the walls. Outside, the night was calm, the faint rustling of leaves barely audible through the thick glass panes. The air carried a sterile chill, tinged faintly with the metallic scent of antiseptics. My body felt unusually light, yet the persistent throb of pain in my side reminded me of my vulnerability.The IV that had pumped blood into me earlier was now replaced with a bag of clear fluid. Despite the ache, there was an odd vitality humming beneath my skin, a paradoxical sense of both fragility and strength.It didn’t take long to spot Ryker. He stood silhouetted against the window, bathed in the soft lamplight. His posture was both commanding and contemplative, the faint slump of his shoulders betraying an unspoken weariness. He had changed out of his rumpled clothes into sleek, dark slacks and a simple, fitted shirt. His hair was disheveled
Last Updated : 2024-12-11The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 32
It took me a little over a week to fully heal. To be honest, I was mostly fine after just a couple of days. I could walk around, stretch, and do almost everything on my own, but Ryker was relentless. I told him repeatedly that I was okay, but he wouldn't hear it. He insisted that I rest and had Lucy come over to give me a thorough check-up, just to be safe.She confirmed that I looked fine, but Ryker had her run a few tests anyway. She was kind enough to comply, even though I knew it was more for his peace of mind than mine. When she was done, she assured him that I was good to go but recommended that I take it easy for a little while longer—just enough time for my body to adjust to normal activities again.It was such a relief. I’d been cooped up in the house for far too long, and I was eager to regain my independence. Ryker had been babying me endlessly since my injury, and Eve wasn’t much better. Every morning, she helped me get dressed as if I were incapable of doing it myself. I
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 33
I was so stunned when Steven said those words that I wasn’t quite sure how to react. My body had frozen in place, my heart hammering in my chest, and for a moment, I thought the world around me had slowed. It wasn’t until I felt his strong hand grab my upper arm that I snapped out of it. The pull was sharp and urgent, and I could feel his tension seeping into me as he guided me back towards the house. His steps were swift and heavy, the sound of his boots pressing against the gravel echoing in the stillness. I could practically hear the gears in his mind grinding, trying to figure out the next step in this unpredictable chaos.As we reached the door, I could see Eve standing in the hallway, her face a perfect mask of concern. The moment she caught sight of us, her eyes widened, scanning us both. Steven didn’t even let her speak before he barked out orders."I need as much ice as you can get," he demanded, his voice urgent, but with an edge of something that felt almost... protective?
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 34
I woke to the sensation of warmth, a heavy arm draped over me, anchoring me into the plush bed beneath. The air was tinged with the faint, musky scent of him—clean and earthy, a combination uniquely Ryker. As my mind began to clear, I became acutely aware of his body pressing against mine, the solid plane of his chest flush with my back, and lower... the hard evidence of his arousal nestled firmly against me.A quiet exhale brushed over my neck, his breath hot and steady as he nuzzled closer, inhaling deeply as though committing my scent to memory. His soft, unconscious movements ignited a warmth in me, spreading from my cheeks down to my toes. I shifted slightly, trying to ease away without disturbing him, but the movement backfired. My hips brushed against him, and his arm tightened instinctively, pulling me closer.A low, deep rumble vibrated from his chest—a sound that wasn’t quite a growl, but carried the primal weight of one.In a heartbeat, I was flipped onto my back, Ryker hov
Last Updated : 2024-12-13The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 35
Being mated with Ryker was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Since the moment our bond was sealed, I could feel him—a steady presence humming at the back of my mind, as though he was a part of me that I hadn’t realized was missing. It wasn’t intrusive but comforting, a constant reminder that I was never alone.The first night after we mated, uncertainty lingered in the air. I wasn’t sure if he wanted me in his room or if I should retreat to mine. I chose the latter, trying to respect his space. But I hadn’t even settled before there was a knock on my door.When I opened it, there he was. Without a word, he walked in, stripped down, and sprawled across my bed as if it were the most natural thing in the world.“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice soft with surprise.“If you don’t feel comfortable coming to me,” he said matter-of-factly, “then I’ll come to you.”Since that night, I hadn’t spent another evening alone in my room. It had become more of a symbolic space than an actu
Last Updated : 2024-12-13
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The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 129
RYKER’S POVThere was something about Camilla that never failed to captivate me. Maybe it was the way she carried herself with quiet strength, or maybe it was because I was utterly, irrevocably in love with her. She was my greatest weakness, my greatest solace. Lying here with her curled against me, her soft breaths warming my chest, I felt something I rarely allowed myself to indulge in—peace.My fingers traced slow, idle patterns along her bare shoulder, and she stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent before settling back into sleep. I should have been sleeping, too—goddess knew I needed the rest—but I couldn’t bring myself to close my eyes. Not yet. Not when I had this moment.My father used to say that a man was defined by what he did in times of war. But I had learned otherwise. A man was defined by how he lived in the quiet moments, by the way he loved, the way he protected what was his. I wasn’t naive enough to believe I was a good man, but I knew that I loved fiercely,
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 128
CAMILLA’S POVDamien left without much ceremony. No grand farewells, no gathering of well-wishers. Just Ryker and me standing at the gates, watching as he disappeared into the forest beyond. For a brief moment, I thought I saw something flicker across his face—disappointment, maybe. But really, what did he expect? After everything that had happened, people weren’t exactly lining up to send him off with warm embraces. He made his choice, and now he had to live with it.Once he was gone, I did my best to find some normalcy, though it was a futile effort. I tried coaxing Riley and Christine into joining me for a quiet afternoon in the private library, a simple escape from the weight of reality. Just a few hours with the girls, some tea, maybe a book or two. Something to ease the tension that had taken root in this palace like an invasive weed. But both of them declined, choosing instead to lock themselves away.I understood.I wanted to help them, to say something—anything—that would mak
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 127
RYKER’S P.O.VDamien had always been a part of my life. From childhood to now, his presence was as constant as the air I breathed. We were opposites in nearly every way—his reckless impulsivity clashing with my calculated caution. And while his actions had irritated me before, nothing compared to the sheer rage burning inside me now.I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay seated. If I let my anger take control, I’d drag him out of this room by his collar and beat some sense into him.The private living room was suffocating with tension. No one dared to speak. Riley sat stiffly on one side, as far away from Damien as possible—a stark contrast to her usual behavior. She had spent years orbiting him, desperate for his attention. But today, there was no lingering glance, no attempt to close the space between them. Instead, her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white from the pressure. Christine, on the opposite end of the room, sat perfectly still, her expression un
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 126
No force on earth could have pulled Damien away from Christine—not even us. And trust me, we tried. His grip on her was unrelenting, his focus unwavering, as if letting go would make her disappear. Even when we attempted to check on her, to make sure she was truly unharmed, he wouldn't budge. Christine kept insisting she was fine, brushing off our concerns, but I knew better. I wanted a professional to look her over just to be sure, but Damien wasn’t letting anyone near her.She rode back to the palace with him, their connection unbreakable, while Ryker and I handled the girls. They were wide awake but eerily quiet, their silence heavier than any words they could have spoken. I could only imagine what was running through their little minds.By the time we arrived at the palace, the first light of dawn stretched across the sky, painting everything in soft hues of pink and gold. But nothing about this moment felt beautiful. My heart clenched the second I saw who was waiting for us.Rile
The Rejected Mate's Curse 125
**CAMILLA'S POV**The enemy had finally realized this wouldn’t be as easy as they thought. But recognition didn’t equate to retreat. Instead, they charged again—this time, directly at Ryker. We had anticipated that. The moment they lunged, our guards burst from the shadows of the forest, massive wolves in their battle forms. Snarls and the sound of snapping jaws filled the air.That distraction was all we needed. Without hesitation, we darted between the chaos, diving straight into the river. The cold water swallowed us, and I could hear Damien’s strokes close behind as we swam for the hidden cave entrance beneath the falls.Breaking through the other side, I hauled myself onto the rocky edge and gasped for air, scanning the cavern. It was eerily empty. I had expected a swarm of vampires, a whole army waiting in ambush. Instead, only three figures stood in the dim light—two nameless guards flanking Christine and Audrey, while Alastair loomed a few steps away.My breath caught at the s
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 124
CAMILLA’S P.O.VFor a moment, the words didn’t make sense. My mind rejected them, my body frozen in place. I blinked rapidly, struggling to catch up. Had I really just heard that?Ryker, always quicker to react, snapped into action. His voice rose above the chaos, sharp and commanding, but I couldn’t make out his words. All I heard was the ringing in my ears—loud, deafening. I wanted to claw at my head, anything to make it stop."Camilla," Ryker’s voice cut through the noise, rough but insistent. He was right in front of me, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes burned with urgency, but underneath, I saw something else—something wild, barely restrained. He was teetering on the edge of losing control."I need you to go inside. Stay with your guards. Can you do that?"I barely processed what he was saying. "He has the girls… and Christine." The words felt foreign on my tongue, like they didn’t belong in my reality. But they did.Ryker nodded once, his jaw tight, his muscles flexing unde
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 123
**CAMILLA'S POV**The silence in the castle was deafening. It wasn’t just an absence of noise—it was the absence of them. My daughters. Christine. The people who made this place feel like more than just walls and stone. Without them, it felt... empty. I had known this would happen. I had agreed to it. And yet, the weight of their absence pressed against my chest, making every breath feel heavier than the last.I ran my fingers along the smooth wood of my desk, the grain a small grounding force in the midst of my turmoil. I wanted to believe that they were safe, that they had made it to their destination without issue. But the truth was, we wouldn’t know until word came. And until then, all we could do was wait.Waiting, however, wasn’t something I did well.Ryker and I had thrown ourselves into work the moment they left, trying to devise a plan to finally end this nightmare. The vampires had to be removed from the equation. Alastair had to be drawn out and neutralized. We had the tool
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 122
CAMILLA’S POVChristine’s body went slack in my arms, her weight nearly pulling me down with her. My breath caught as I struggled to hold her up, my muscles burning from the effort. She was unconscious, completely limp."Dammit," I muttered under my breath, my heart hammering.Ryker didn’t hesitate—he was already sprinting out the door, his urgency palpable. I clenched my jaw and focused on Christine, dragging her towards the small lounge in my office. Every step felt like a battle, but I refused to let her slip through my grip. Finally, I laid her down, brushing a few strands of hair from her pale, sweat-drenched face before bolting out to find the physician.I was torn. Christine needed me, but so did my daughters. Ryker was handling that, though. I had to trust him to bring them back safely.The physician wasn’t busy, thank the goddess. As soon as I found him, he grabbed his medical bag, and we rushed back. He got to work immediately, his skilled hands checking her pulse and her b
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 121
The rest of the day was consumed with ensuring the school’s security, speaking with families, and mourning the losses. Two guards had perished in the fire—brave men who had been stationed outside when the attack occurred. Informing their families was one of the hardest things I had ever done. How do you tell a mother, a mate, that her son, her husband, had died a hero, and expect that to be enough?One of the guards had a pregnant mate. The devastation in her eyes haunted me long after we left. No amount of financial aid or comforting words would bring him back.That night, despite being wrapped in Ryker’s arms, I couldn’t find sleep. His steady breathing usually calmed me, but tonight it only reminded me of the weight he carried—the same weight that kept him awake. I could feel it. We were both trapped in the same spiral of worry, but neither of us voiced it aloud.By morning, I had made up my mind.“We need to meet with the elders,” I announced.Ryker looked at me in surprise. “Are
