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Chapter 6
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2024-12-01 23:55:18
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The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 7
I couldn’t sleep all night. Tossing and turning, I lay in the massive bed that seemed too soft, too unfamiliar. Finally, I pulled the blankets to the floor, wrapping myself there, hoping it might feel closer to the small, rough bed I was used to. But even then, sleep stayed away as though I were in a race with it, one I was destined to lose. The night felt like a strange paradox—both dragging and fleeting. The stars hung for what seemed an eternity, but the first light of dawn felt like it arrived far too soon. And when it did, my stomach tightened, reminding me that today would be decisive. Whatever Ryker had planned for me would start to unfold. In the early morning silence, I heard footsteps stop outside my door. My heart pounded in my chest, and I didn’t dare breathe. The steps paused for a heartbeat too long, then retreated. Only after they faded completely did I let out the breath I’d been holding and scrambled back into the bed, desperately straightening the blankets on the
Last Updated : 2024-12-01The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 8
I stayed away from Ryker for the rest of the week. Well, I stayed away as much as I could, considering I was living under his roof and we crossed paths in every corridor. He was everywhere, watching me, making sure I didn’t slip away, even when I was alone. He never let me out of his sight, whether it was during meals when I moved about the house, or even when I tried to retreat to my room. He sat with me at the table, his gaze heavy and always on me, as if waiting for some misstep, for some sign that I might harm myself.A week. Seven long days were spent locked away in this strange place, and I still couldn’t tell if I was more terrified of Ryker or less than when I had first arrived. His silence about our bond, our connection, left my mind spinning. I didn’t know whether it was because he simply didn’t care or because he was too calculating to reveal his thoughts. I was too afraid to ask about it, and it hung between us like a looming storm, waiting to strike.A part of me—just a s
Last Updated : 2024-12-02The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 9
Lauren stood in the doorway, an unshakable vision of beauty by any standard. She was tall, her slender frame boasting the toned elegance of someone who had spent countless hours honing their physique. Her muscles, though subtle, were defined, moving under her skin like poetry in motion. Each step she took was precise, deliberate, and brimming with the kind of confidence that only someone trained to protect themselves could exude.Her blonde hair cascaded in silken waves to her armpits, catching the dim light of the room and glowing faintly like spun gold. Her wide doe eyes held a sharpness beneath their innocence, as if capable of seeing through layers of deceit. Her lips, thin yet perfectly shaped, gleamed with a soft sheen of pink gloss. She wore black leggings that clung to her legs with precision, paired with a fitted top that ended just beneath her belly button, revealing a faint sliver of pale, flawless skin. A thin, silver chain sparkled faintly at her neck, completing her imag
Last Updated : 2024-12-02The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 10
The first thing I noticed upon waking was the silence, a calm so profound it almost lulled me back to sleep. But as I sat up, stretching lazily in bed, I realized I was waiting—for something, or someone. A pang of realization struck when I caught myself glancing toward the door, expecting someone to stride in with my breakfast tray and freshly pressed clothes.I felt ridiculous. The weight of my new routine had seeped in deeper than I realized. With a self-deprecating laugh, I threw back the covers and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The chill of the polished floorboards against my feet grounded me, a sharp reminder of the contrast between this gilded cage and the raw survival I’d once known.The corset, as always, loomed like an enemy waiting to strike. I wrestled with the laces, frustration mounting with every fumbling twist of my fingers. My ribs protested, aching with the familiar discomfort, but I finally managed to secure it. Breathing came in shallow gulps as I stared
Last Updated : 2024-12-03The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 11
Lauren had been my shadow for nearly a week, her presence a constant thorn in my side. What began with icy glares and verbal slaps had escalated into a calculated campaign to chip away at whatever fragments of peace I had left.Her snide remarks about my weight were relentless. The sharp edges of her words cut deeper each time. I overheard her once instructing a maid to reduce my meal portions, declaring that I was "getting obese." That day, I skipped eating entirely, retreating to the safety of my room until Ryker returned in the evening. His concern forced me to choke down something under his watchful gaze, but the damage to my confidence was already done.Lauren was unrelenting in her quest to remind me that Ryker was hers as if I needed constant reinforcement. When I attempted to tell her that I didn’t even want him, she laughed, her voice dripping with condescension. "Everyone wants him," she said smugly, her words like venom in the air.Today, when Ryker was preparing to leave,
Last Updated : 2024-12-03The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 12
After considering my options, I realized there was no way around it—I had to finish the meal before me. The weight of my choices pressed on me as I forced myself to swallow each bite, my prayers lingering in the back of my mind. Though, what was the point of praying when they always seemed to explode in my face?The first time was when I desperately prayed that Lauren wouldn't come into my room earlier that day—only for her to burst in uninvited. And the second was when Ryker told me I’d be training with Lauren immediately. The irony stung like a sharp slap to my already bruised spirit.Ryker’s intentions might have been genuine, but I wish he wouldn’t bother. What was he trying to prove? Is that being kind to me could erase the cruelty I knew he was capable of? It wouldn’t. I’d seen enough to know better. His supposed kindness felt hollow, like a prelude to something worse. All I wanted was for him to reject me so I could leave, escape this nightmare of being tied to an Alpha who rul
Last Updated : 2024-12-03The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 13
The stairs seemed to stretch infinitely, mocking my attempts to climb them. Every movement was agony. Eve and another maid, whose name I couldn’t even register through the haze of pain, had to hoist me up. Their arms felt steady against my trembling frame, guiding me through a fog of exhaustion and soreness. When we finally reached the bathroom, Eve’s soft offer to bathe me made my skin prickle. It was kind, but unsettling. “I can manage,” I muttered, but my voice cracked under the strain.Left alone, I realized my mistake. Each motion was a monumental effort, my muscles screaming as I dragged myself out of the tub. The cool air prickled against my damp skin, and I cursed myself for not accepting Eve’s help. After what felt like an eternity, I settled on a black nightgown—simple, loose, and mercifully easy to slip into. The fabric was soft against my battered body as I stumbled to the bed, collapsing into its embrace. Darkness claimed me instantly.---When I surfaced from the depths
Last Updated : 2024-12-04The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 14
While we waited for Lucy, Ryker busied himself with tending to my injury. His movements were steady but firm, and the cold touch of the frozen peas he pressed against my swollen ankle sent sharp chills through my skin. He replaced the makeshift ice pack every few minutes with clockwork precision, ensuring the cold remained consistent. The numbing sensation it brought was a fleeting comfort, masking the sharp ache that pulsed with each heartbeat—or maybe my body was simply resigning itself to the pain.Lucy arrived nearly an hour later, her forehead glistening with sweat as she strode into the room. The pristine white of her doctor's coat contrasted sharply with the slight disarray of her appearance—stray wisps of hair escaping her ponytail, her glasses slipping down the bridge of her nose. It was clear she'd come straight from an urgent matter, and the faint smell of antiseptic clung to her as she approached.“I’m so sorry I kept you waiting,” she began breathlessly, sliding her bag o
Last Updated : 2024-12-04
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
