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Chapter 53
Last Updated:
2024-12-23 06:07:21
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The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 54
The room fell silent, a suffocating stillness that pressed against my chest. Every gaze in the hall locked onto Audrey and me, the weight of their stares prickling against my skin like needles. Even without looking, I could feel their scrutiny—sharp, curious, judgmental. The murmurs began, hushed but relentless, their voices slicing through the heavy air. Each whisper seemed magnified, grating against my ears like shattered glass.I glanced at my mother, who reached out to take Audrey, but my daughter clung stubbornly to my skirts, her tiny hands fisting the fabric as if it were a lifeline. I crouched down, scooping her into my arms, and settled her in my lap. She straddled my thighs, her small frame trembling as she burrowed her face into my chest. I stroked her hair, my voice calm and clear despite the storm brewing in my veins.“I apologize for the interruption,” I said, meeting their stares head-on. “The rules don’t always apply to children. And even if they did, children have a
Last Updated : 2024-12-24The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 55
Morning came like a heavy weight pressing on my chest, a reminder that my life had already veered down a path I couldn’t undo. The realization stung, sharper than I cared to admit. Christine had warned me, told me not to cling so tightly to what I thought was normal. But I hadn’t listened. Instead, my stubborn grip on the past had set in motion everything I feared most.Last night was a battle of patience. Putting Audrey to bed took twice as long as usual. She was brimming with questions, her little voice bubbling with excitement about her father. Could he put her to bed? Could he tuck her in? Each question was like a pinprick to my resolve. I had to tell her no, explaining gently that he wasn’t allowed on palace grounds after dark since he wasn’t part of our family. The disappointment in her big, hopeful eyes was almost unbearable. It broke something in me—a mother should never be the source of her child’s sadness.This morning wasn’t any easier. Audrey wanted her dad to help her get
Last Updated : 2024-12-24The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 56
The news about Audrey broke two days ago, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting the Alphas to descend on the palace earlier than planned. With the coronation set for a week away, the entire palace had been thrown into chaos. Ryker, ever the stoic figure, wasn’t one to complain, but I’d asked my mother to look into the situation. It didn’t take long to learn he’d been bombarded with questions, thinly veiled judgments, and the overbearing presence of other Alphas.None of it had turned violent, but the snide remarks and incessant pestering were relentless. My mother, seeing no other option, moved Ryker and his entourage into the palace. Logically, I knew it was the best solution. Emotionally, I hated it. When he stayed elsewhere, avoiding him was easy. Now, no matter how vast the palace was, we seemed destined to cross paths at least three times a day.Ryker, stubborn as always, refused to drop the subject of my leaving. Every encounter brought a fresh round of question
Last Updated : 2024-12-25The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 57
I woke up first, and immediately the weight of my actions pressed down on me, suffocating in its heaviness. Ryker’s arm was still draped around my waist, his body tucked close to mine, a warmth that had once felt comforting now felt like a mistake. I tried to slowly untangle myself from his embrace, but his grip was tight, not ready to let go. It was harder than I expected, and I couldn’t help but slap my forehead in disbelief. He had another child back home—another child—and here I was, tangled up in him like some naive teenager.My hands ran down my face in frustration, my heart aching with the reality of it all. Ryker stirred beside me, his eyes blinking open. As he stirred, I pulled a robe around my body to shield whatever was left of my dignity. I gathered the clothes strewn across the floor, trying to ignore the emptiness settling in my chest. I stuffed mine into the laundry bag, arranging his neatly at the foot of the bed as if trying to keep the distance between us clear, even
Last Updated : 2024-12-26The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 58
I sank to my knees on the ground, while Steven stationed himself at the entrance, offering me the semblance of privacy I so desperately craved. My thoughts wandered back to the previous night’s events with Ryker, and despite knowing better, I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. In fact, there was a part of me that wished I could relive it over and over again.It felt almost like a betrayal to myself, knowing I should set an example for my daughter, teaching her not to let a man sweep her off her feet, especially not a man who had betrayed me, who had fathered a child with another woman, even if he denied it.An irrational part of my mind hoped he was telling the truth because, in truth, I never stopped loving Ryker. It seemed impossible to erase him from my thoughts entirely. Audrey made it worse because she was a living reminder of him—her mannerisms, those eyes of his, sometimes when I look at her, I feel like I’m seeing her father all over again.I buried my head in my palms, wrest
Last Updated : 2024-12-27The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 59
I noticed my distracted silence. She'd asked me twice already today if I was okay, and I had lied both times. How could I explain what was going on in my head when I couldn't even make sense of it myself? If it were anyone else, I would have snapped, called them out right there, and ended it. But it was Riley, and I couldn't fight her. She had a right to be angry. As much as I wanted to argue, I knew I had a bigger right to be angry too. And yet, all I felt was this tangled mess of confusion and guilt.“Camilla,” Christine's voice cut through my haze, harsh and urgent. It snapped me back to the present, and I realized I was somewhere I shouldn't be lost in my own head.I was in the council room, sitting with my mother and the elders, discussing the details of the upcoming ceremony. I had zoned out, unaware of their eyes on me, waiting for me to speak. Panic surged in my chest, and I quickly turned to Christine, silently pleading for guidance. She rolled her eyes, her lips barely movin
Last Updated : 2024-12-27The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 60
Ryker stood a few feet away, a look of utter bewilderment on his face. Neither of us had realized he was listening, but he had been standing there the whole time.“Camilla, I’m sorry,” Christine murmured, her voice full of regret.I gave her a tight smile. “It’s fine. You should go. I think I need to talk to Ryker.”She hesitated, giving me a guilty look, but she nodded and walked away. Ryker’s brows remained furrowed as he approached me. I didn’t meet his gaze as I turned on my heel and walked toward the private garden. I could hear his footsteps behind me, steady but silent, waiting for me to speak. It wasn’t until we reached the garden, the one place in the palace where we could be alone, that he stopped.Without a word, he grabbed my arm and spun me to face him.“What the hell is she talking about?” Ryker demanded, his voice raw with confusion. “Who did you see with someone else? Who’s the other person?”“Don’t play dumb,” I said, my irritation bubbling up. “I know exactly what I
Last Updated : 2025-01-01The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 61
Ryker’s words echoed in my mind, relentless and heavy. I couldn’t shake them off, not even as I stormed towards my mother’s office. Without knocking, I pushed the door open, the sharp click of it echoing in the quiet hall. My mother raised a brow, but said nothing. She closed the document in front of her, a silent acknowledgment of my unannounced intrusion.I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me, and took a seat across from her. Her gaze remained steady, piercing, studying me through those thick lashes of hers. Her eyes were too familiar, too sharp—they reminded me too much of my own. Sometimes it felt like I was staring at an older version of myself, a future I wasn’t sure I wanted to see."Is there a reason you're barging into my office, Camilla?" she asked, her voice laced with humor. "Or did you miss me so much you thought you'd perform an impromptu Audrey scene? Though, I must say, it won’t quite have the same effect, considering no one’s around and everyone already knows
Last Updated : 2025-01-02
Latest chapter
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 102
Pain.That was all I knew.It wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket, invading every inch of my body with an unbearable intensity. When Alastair bit me, it was as if a thousand searing needles had pierced my skin all at once, burning their way through my veins. I wanted to scream, to fight back, but my body refused to obey. My limbs were leaden, my voice stolen by the agony. And then—Darkness.A void unlike anything I had ever known swallowed me whole. Time ceased to exist, my body forgotten in the abyss. I drifted, weightless, neither dead nor alive. Yet I could hear. Distant, disembodied voices floated through the inky blackness, whispers of a world just beyond my reach."There’s no cure," someone said, their voice heavy with resignation.I recognized Ryker’s voice too, soft and desperate as he murmured to me. But I couldn’t respond. Couldn’t move. I was trapped in this limbo, aware yet powerless.Then—A hand.Warm. Familiar. Solid.The moment it grasped mine, reality came c
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 101
Ryker’s POVSleep was a luxury I couldn’t afford that night. Even after Christine left, I found myself unable to rest. My thoughts kept pulling me back to Camilla. I sat by her side for hours, watching the shallow rise and fall of her chest, as if my sheer willpower could keep her breathing. When exhaustion finally claimed me, it was only for a brief, restless three hours. Duty pulled me out of bed before dawn, the weight of the kingdom pressing hard against my shoulders.The palace was buzzing with whispers. The news about the vampires had already reached the gates, and fear spread like wildfire among the people. I couldn’t help but long for Camilla’s presence. She had this uncanny ability to bring calm to chaos. Without her, every minute stretched into an eternity.By the time I stepped into the council chamber, the elders were already gathered. Their gazes flicked to the door repeatedly, clearly expecting Camilla to join. I suppressed a bitter laugh. They wouldn’t be seeing her any
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 100
Ryker’s POVThe ride back to the palace was a blur. My focus never left Camilla, her fragile form cradled against me. Every few seconds, I checked her breathing, each faint rise and fall of her chest granting me a shred of hope. Her lips were still pale, her skin cold to the touch. My heart pounded as if to replace the life slipping from her.By the time we reached the palace, the physician’s son was already waiting with Christine near the back entrance. They’d cleared the area, ensuring privacy. A rare blessing, considering how fast rumors traveled. For once, I didn’t care what the court would say—what I needed was peace, just long enough to save her.We carried her straight to the physician’s chambers, her weight unnervingly light in my arms. The room, usually ominous with the remnants of others’ suffering, felt emptier than usual. A small mercy. Gently, we laid her on the bed.The physician immediately began his examination, his hands steady, his expression unreadable. I lingered n
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 99
The guards scrambled to do as instructed, and I led the physician off to a quieter corner of the woods, away from prying eyes. I had a sinking feeling in my gut that the worst was still to come. I watched him carefully as he glanced around, ensuring no one could overhear. Then, in a low voice, he spoke.“I think it’s the same vampire who did this,” he said quietly. “The scene—it looks like they lost control, like a frenzy. But... no. It wasn’t a frenzy. It was a clean cut. This wasn’t done with teeth. Whoever did this knew exactly whatthey were doing.”“What are you saying?” I asked, trying to process what he was telling me.“I’m saying this is no random act,” he said, voice tinged with unease. “This is deliberate. Whoever did this... they’re playing a game. And we don’t even know what the rules are yet.”My chest tightened. A game? A vampire, toying with us? I sighed heavily, rubbingmy temple. “Thank you for your help.”He nodded grimly before walking away, leaving me to my
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 98
I stood alone. Outnumbered. Helpless. My breath caught in my throat, but I refused to show fear. If I was going to die here, I wouldn’t go down without a fight.“What do you want from me?” I demanded, my voice shaking only slightly. “Is thishow you get my attention?”Alastair’s eyes gleamed with dark amusement. “Yes and no,” he said with a shrug.“Living for centuries gets boring, you know? Sometimes, you need something to entertain you.”One of his vampires moved so fast I could barely track him. Before I knew it, I was shoved into a stone chair. My heart raced as I struggled to control my breathing, but there was no use. I was trapped. Alastair leaned in, his fingers curling around a lock of my hair, twisting it between his fingers. I didn’t flinch, even though my body screamed at me to fight back.“Don’t bother trying,” he said with a smirk, clearly reading the fear I was trying to suppress. “When you’ve lived as long as I have, you make a few... connections. This cave i
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 97
CAMILLA'S P.O.V.“I mean you no harm,” I called out, my voice steady but trembling inside. The vampire before me made no move to step out of the shadows. “I only want to see your king.”He let out a chilling laugh, one that echoed through the trees. “Not many live to make such a request. Our king does not entertain visitors, nor does he tolerate them.” The tension in the air thickened as the guards around me tightened their formation, their eyes scanning the surroundings. I stood my ground, lifting my chin with resolve. “My name is Camilla. I’m the Queen of the wolves. Your king should want to speak with me. I wouldn’t be here unless it was of utmost importance.”There was a long pause, the kind of silence that makes your heartbeat feel too loud. I thought, for a moment, he wouldn’t respond at all, until he finally did.“I know who you are,” he said, his voice dangerously calm. “He’s been expecting you. But we didn’t know you'd come with guards of your own.”I couldn’t supp
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 96
"This isn’t your fault. It’s not theirs, either. The blame lies with the vampire who did this.”I sighed, my breath shaky. “But he won’t stop. He’s not just going to go away. We need to stop him before someone else is lost.”Ryker didn’t answer, but his silence spoke volumes. He didn’t need to say anything; he understood. I felt his fingers tighten around me as if to say he was with me, always. “We will stop him,” he finally said. “But it’s taking longer than we thought. One of us should be there to comfort them.”Before I could say anything, Ryker was already walking toward the grieving family. I watched him approach them, his actions so gentle. He wasn’t supposed to touch them—protocol, duty, all that—but Ryker didn’t care about that. He cared about people. He didn’t need to say anything; his presence, his warmth, said everything. And for a moment, I felt a sense of pride. I admired him so much. He deserved to be King far more than I deserved to be Queen.As I watched him
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 95
CAMILLA'S POVThe moment we stepped into the hidden library, I was struck by how massive it was. The shelves stretched up high, way beyond my reach, nearly brushing againstthe ceiling. It felt like I had stumbled into a world all on its own, tucked away in a secret corner of the palace. The air was cool, the kind of chill that made you wrap yourself tighter in your thoughts, as if the place had been untouched for centuries. It wasn’t the usual smell of books—this place smelled ancient, like time itself had settled into the worn scrolls and parchment that lined the shelves. Each text seemed delicate, almost fragile, and I hesitated totouch anything as if the weight of history would crumble beneath my fingers. Ryker had spent hours here, and honestly, I couldn’t blame him. I wasalmost afraid to leave.The flickering torches on the walls cast a series of shadows across the room, their flames dancing in the still air. Even with the windows closed, a faint breeze swirled aroun
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 94
Camilla's POVIcouldn’t help but feel a strange emptiness as the day wore on. Ryker had vanished, and I honestly thought I’d be relieved to have some time away from thegrueling training sessions. But the more I tried to distract myself, the more I missed him. It was odd. I even searched for him, scouring the entire palace. I asked every guard I passed, but no one had seen him. It was as if he’d vanished completely.Eventually, I retired to my room, hoping he might return by the time I fell asleep. I clung to that small hope, even as the night stretched on in quiet solitude. But when morning came, I knew instantly he hadn’t returned. His side of the bed was untouched, still cold. The sense of abandonment stung more than Iwanted to admit.I spent the morning searching for him, even before training began. My efforts were in vain, though. It was as if the world had swallowed him whole. I couldn’tshake the uneasy feeling that something was wrong, but I had no way to prove it.Ch
