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Chapter 34
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2024-12-13 13:25:02Related chapters
The 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 : 2024-12-13The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 36
When I opened my eyes, I didn’t expect to see Ryker. A part of me assumed he had only said what he did to coax me into resting. But as my foggy mind cleared, the sight of him sitting up against the headboard stunned me.Papers were spread out in his lap and around him, a small stack teetering precariously at the edge of the bed. I could tell he was uncomfortable—his rigid posture gave him away—but he did not attempt to disturb me, even as I lay draped over his legs. The soft rustle of papers was the only sound in the otherwise silent room.I shifted slightly, testing my stiff limbs, and immediately felt him freeze. His eyes darted down, and he abandoned the papers, setting them aside with care as if they were of no consequence compared to me. When I glanced up at him, his gaze softened, full of concern.“Hi,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. It was awkward, shy, and unpolished.The corner of his lips twitched, the ghost of a smile playing there. “Hi back,” he replied, his voic
Last Updated : 2024-12-14The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 37
The moment the water splashed against his face, his expression froze. Time seemed to pause, the crystalline droplets cascading down his shocked features. My stomach tightened in guilt as realization struck."I am so—" I started, my voice trembling with regret.But before the words could fully form, a wave of cool water hit me square in the face. It filled my mouth, stinging my eyes as I sputtered and coughed, trying to regain my breath. By the time I blinked the water away, I caught sight of him struggling to stifle a laugh, his eyes crinkling with pure amusement."Oh, you think that's funny?" I splashed him back with renewed vigor.What followed was a chaotic yet exhilarating dance of water and laughter. The world around us dissolved; the distant rustle of leaves and the soft roar of the waterfall faded into the background. All that mattered was this moment.The water shimmered in the fading sunlight, droplets catching the golden hues as we darted around each other. I was breathless,
Last Updated : 2024-12-14The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 38
By the next day, I wasn’t perfectly fine, but I managed to convince Ryker that I was. My walls, newly constructed under his guidance last night, did their job well. They blocked him from feeling the discomfort and pain that radiated through my body like a relentless storm. Each pulse of agony was mine to bear, but I was determined not to let him know.When he left, the mask of composure I wore crumbled. My legs dragged me back into his—our—room, where I let myself sink into the bed. The sheets, steeped in his scent, wrapped around me like a protective cocoon. That deep, woodsy aroma mixed with something uniquely Ryker soothed the pounding in my skull and eased the nausea twisting my stomach. It was my only solace.At some point, exhaustion pulled me into a dreamless sleep. I wasn’t sure how long I drifted, but a knock on the door jolted me awake. My eyelids felt heavy as I stumbled out of bed, pulling the door open to see Eve standing there. Her expression was a mixture of confusion a
Last Updated : 2024-12-14The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 39
Every time he drew close, his teeth would lightly nip at my tail, teasing me. My heart raced as I pushed harder, my paws digging into the dirt to gain speed.I knew Ryker could easily overtake me—his sheer size alone guaranteed it—but he held back, savoring the chase as much as I did. It wasn’t about the hunt; it was about the shared thrill, the unspoken bond of running wild together.He finally collided with me just as we reached the waterfall. We tumbled to the ground, his large frame absorbing the impact, leaving me sprawled on top of him. Cool mist from the cascading water enveloped us, mingling with the warmth of his body beneath mine. His rough tongue swiped across my face, leaving a trail of heat and wetness that made me yelp in surprise. I jumped off him, shaking out my fur as I padded to the lake’s edge.The water mirrored back a sight that made me pause. A large white wolf stared at me with piercing amber eyes that seemed to burn with a quiet intensity. My reflection shimmer
Last Updated : 2024-12-15The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 40
The morning sun stretched lazily across the horizon, its golden hues seeping through the forest and casting dappled light on the training grounds. Ryker’s voice, firm yet calm, echoed as he ordered me to shift. The air was crisp, laced with the earthy scent of dew-soaked leaves. I hesitated briefly, the memory of yesterday's pain still fresh, but the determination in his gaze spurred me forward.The transformation stung, each muscle stretching and snapping into place, but it was a dull ache compared to before. My wolf form felt foreign yet exhilarating, the ground beneath my paws cool and alive with the vibrations of nature. Ryker’s wolf—larger, more imposing—circled me with a playful energy that belied his usual stoic demeanor.“Let’s see how fast you are,” he teased, his voice a deep growl.The chase began. He darted forward, a streak of silver, and I instinctively gave pursuit. The world around me blurred; the scent of pine mingled with the sharp tang of his presence, urging me to
Last Updated : 2024-12-15The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 41
Ryker froze, his frame stiffening like a statue, before he stepped forward and pulled the figure into a firm embrace. The motion was gentle yet powerful, as though he had been holding onto this moment for years. From where I stood, I couldn’t make out much, but I could tell the person was a girl—smaller than him by far, her head barely reaching his chest. My vantage point didn’t allow me to see her features, but her youthful stature and slender build were apparent.Something gnawed at me as I watched them. Jealousy. A biting, irrational envy bubbled up in my chest, and I couldn’t tamp it down fast enough. My mind raced to justify the scene before me. Ryker wouldn’t just hug a random girl like that. Would he? But then, he did something that made my heart sink further—he placed a kiss on her forehead. A soft, tender gesture, one I had foolishly thought belonged to us alone.I clenched my fists, trying to calm the irrational voice in my head screaming for me to pull him away. This isn’t
Last Updated : 2024-12-15The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 42
The rest of our stay at the pack house passed in a haze, though one detail stuck out to me: we didn’t see Lauren again. It felt as if the universe had been kind enough to spare me the ordeal of facing her, and yet, every corner I turned made my heart jolt with the anticipation of an unwanted encounter. Riley noticed, of course—she always did. Her observant gaze lingered on me more often than usual, though she didn’t press. Instead, she would ask, in that quiet, steady tone of hers, “Are you okay?” It was the kind of question Ryker used to ask, the kind that demanded nothing in return but still made you feel safe.By the end of the day, my mind buzzed with an overload of information about planning a mating ceremony. The sheer volume of traditions, expectations, and nuances had been daunting at first, but somehow, by the time we left, I felt a cautious sense of confidence taking root. The fear was still there, gnawing softly at the edges, but it was tempered by a growing ease.The carri
Last Updated : 2024-12-16
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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
