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Chapter 39
Last Updated:
2024-12-15 05:27:16
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The 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 : 2024-12-16The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 43
Avoiding Ryker was easier said than done. Sharing the same bed and living under the same roof turned it into a challenge I couldn’t entirely win, but I made an honest effort to keep my distance. Yet, even as I busied myself with tasks, his words echoed persistently in my mind, their weight pressing against my every thought.The idea of me—a princess—seemed absurd, a notion ripped straight from the pages of an overdramatic fairytale. How could I possibly fit into such a narrative? I was just an omega, born and raised with all the limitations that role entailed. The thought of suddenly discovering royal lineage felt not just improbable but downright impossible.Still, there was that persistent whisper of curiosity gnawing at the edges of my skepticism. What if…?I shook the thought away as I stole a glance at Ryker during breakfast. He sat across from me at the dining table, his presence radiating quiet patience. His eyes barely left me, soft but unwavering, like he was waiting for me t
Last Updated : 2024-12-16The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 44
The story between them was far more intricate than I had anticipated, yet I couldn’t shake the gnawing suspicion that she was withholding something. Her words painted a picture of unreciprocated affection—how she had been vying for his attention while he adamantly ignored her. I believed her, but the way her gaze darted away hinted at layers of truth she wasn’t ready to share.The weight of unspoken words settled between us, heavy and suffocating. Despite my curiosity, I chose not to pry further. When she finished her story, I offered her a small, reassuring smile. “It does sound complicated,” I said softly. “Don’t worry—I won’t breathe a word of this to Ryker.” My promise seemed to ease her tension slightly, though the shadows in her eyes lingered.Her confession left me wondering about Damien. What kind of person was he to inspire such devotion? She was only fifteen, and yet her feelings seemed so deep and consuming. I couldn’t imagine having such intense emotions at her age.When s
Last Updated : 2024-12-16The 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-17The 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-17The 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-17
Latest chapter
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
