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Chapter 8
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2024-12-02 00:03:45
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The 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 15
After I finished eating, Eve handed me a small vial of medicine she claimed would ease the pain. The liquid was thick, slightly bitter, with a faint herbal undertone that lingered on my tongue even after swallowing. It worked faster than I anticipated, pulling me under like a weighted blanket. Exhaustion already tugged at my limbs, so it didn’t take long for sleep to claim me.When I awoke later, the soft clinking of cutlery and Eve’s gentle prodding to eat lunch stirred me. My mind was hazy, caught in the half-dream state where reality felt distant. Ryker stood in the shadows near the corner of the room, his presence heavy yet silent. His eyes were sharp, watching over me with a vigilance that should’ve made me uneasy but didn’t. I barely remembered much beyond the taste of the warm stew she fed me before sleep dragged me back under.It was night when I finally woke again, the room dimly lit by a single lamp casting golden hues across the walls. A faint mustiness clung to my skin, a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 16
It took a week before I could even begin to move my leg without the excruciating sensation of impending death. The pain still lingered, an uncomfortable throb that followed me like an unshakable shadow, but at least I could get around on my own now. The limp was heavy, persistent, but the agony had lessened just enough for me to function without help every minute of the day.Each morning for the past week, Ryker had been there, faithfully assisting me whenever I needed to bathe. The warm water against my skin had become a small comfort, but it was his presence that added an unexpected sense of security. I had grown used to his presence quickly, almost too quickly. By the second day, it no longer felt as awkward when he helped me out. Yet, there was always something about him that left me wondering. After every time, without fail, he would leave right after and return twenty or thirty minutes later. I never knew where he went or what he did during that time. A part of me was curious—no
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-05
Bab terbaru
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 147
Camilla could barely contain her anticipation. The moment they stepped into the house, she and Ryker rushed up the stairs, their only source of light a dimly flickering lamp. The wooden box sat on the bed between them, its lock gleaming under the glow. Her fingers trembled as she slid the key into place. A click echoed in the silent room, and the lid creaked open.Her breath caught in her throat.She had feared that time and the elements would have reduced the contents to dust, but to her astonishment, the bound stack of letters was pristine—almost as if someone had placed them there just days ago. Slowly, she untied the ribbon binding the pages together. Her heart lurched when she read the first words.*To my daughter.*Not her name, but the words still sent a shiver through her.She turned to Ryker, brows furrowed. “It’s addressed to me.”He leaned closer, peering at the paper before glancing up with a shrug. “Only one way to find out what he had to say.”As she lifted the lamp, its
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 146
**CAMILLA'S P.O.V**A sharp tremor wracked my body as I sucked in a shallow, uneven breath. My knees threatened to give out beneath me, but all I could think about was my daughter, cradled in my arms. I clung to her desperately, unwilling to let go even as the world around me blurred. I barely registered Ryker appearing beside me, his arms slipping around Aurora before I collapsed. The moment Briggs' grip loosened, the unbearable pressure in my chest eased, and I gasped, greedily sucking in air as if I'd been drowning.“Are you alright?” Briggs’ voice reached me, laced with concern. He moved toward me, his hands outstretched, but I flinched back, my reaction sharper than I intended. He hesitated, brows furrowing in confusion. “Did I do something wrong? Do you need me to get something for you?”I knew this wasn’t his fault. He looked as baffled as I felt. But I couldn’t afford to risk another wave of that unbearable sensation. If it happened again, I was certain I’d lose consciousness.
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 145
CAMILLA’S P.O.VA violent shudder wracked my body as I struggled to steady my breath. My grip on my daughter tightened, fear coursing through me like a relentless tide. I couldn’t drop her. No matter what was happening to me, I had to keep holding on.I barely registered Ryker appearing at my side, his presence swift and sure. He took Aurora from my arms, his touch gentle, and the moment she left my grasp, my knees buckled. I collapsed, gasping as the crushing weight that had been suffocating me lifted. My limbs felt hollow, drained of all strength as if I had been fighting against something invisible yet suffocating.Briggs’ hands had been on me just moments ago. How long? Seconds? Minutes? It had felt like an eternity.“Camilla?” His voice was uncertain, edged with concern. “Are you alright?” He reached for me again, but I flinched away, my reaction more forceful than I intended.Briggs hesitated, his brows furrowing. “Did I do something? Do you need—?”“No,” I rasped, cutting him o
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 144
CAMILLA’S P.O.VRyker had convinced me it would be better to wait until the kids were asleep before digging, so I spent the entire evening restless. My skin itched with anticipation, my mind spinning with possibilities. What could my father have hidden? He was frustrating in many ways, but his treasure hunts had always been clever, almost addicting. If this had happened at a different time—when an enemy wasn’t lurking in the shadows—I might have actually enjoyed the challenge.I just prayed that whatever lay beneath that tree wasn’t another one of his messes waiting to explode in my face.Once both kids were tucked in their beds, their peaceful breathing filling the quiet house, I kissed their foreheads and hurried outside. Ryker was already waiting, holding a lamp in one hand and a shovel in the other, his expression unreadable. While excitement coursed through me, he was only here for my sake."You don't have to do this," I whispered, hesitant. "It's late, and for all we know, this
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 143
Camilla’s POVThe estate was grander than I’d imagined. The moment I stepped inside, reality set in—my father never did anything halfway. This might have been his retreat, but he spared no expense making it as luxurious as possible. The crystal chandeliers sparkled above, casting a golden glow over the polished marble floors. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and velvet drapes framed the tall windows, letting in the soft glow of the evening sun. It was a stark reminder of the wealth he wielded, the power he once held.We washed away the exhaustion of the palace, exchanging travel-worn clothes for fresh, soft fabrics that smelled of lavender and something faintly familiar—like home, but not quite. I exhaled, and for the first time in what felt like years, my lungs expanded fully. There was a lightness in the air here, something almost intoxicating. Was it freedom? Or just an illusion of it?Dinner was a quiet affair, the kind that settles into your bones and warms you from the inside.
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 142
CAMILLA’S P.O.VI sat in stunned silence, barely processing what had just happened. Ryker had planned everything. Every single detail had already been arranged. The only thing left was for us to leave.A vacation. We desperately needed one, but I hadn't expected him to take matters into his own hands. It wasn’t like we ever had the luxury of peace, not with everything we had endured.The carriage rocked gently as it rolled away from the palace, and despite myself, I felt a tinge of excitement. My feet bounced slightly against the wooden floorboards, a telltale sign of my anticipation. Across from us, Audrey sat with her small hands gripping the edge of her seat, her eyes darting toward the window. In Ryker’s arms, Aurora lay nestled against his chest, her tiny breaths even and peaceful.“Where are we going, Mommy?” Audrey’s soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. Her brows furrowed as she peered outside, recognition flickering in her eyes. “This road looks familiar… like the one we too
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 141
RYKER'S POVThere was always a voice in the back of my head—relentless, nagging, a constant reminder that I should be doing something more productive. It never left me, not even for a second. Maybe because, unlike most children, I never had the luxury of lazy days or the freedom to do nothing. My life had been an endless cycle of lessons, training, and expectations. There was always something I didn’t do well enough, something I needed to perfect, something my father drilled into me with an iron will.And even though he had been gone for years—longer than I cared to count—the weight of his influence still clung to me, refusing to loosen its grip.I exhaled, pushing the thoughts aside as I sat up in bed, my gaze settling on Camilla. She moved around the room effortlessly, wrapped in nothing but our tangled sheets. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, messy from sleep but still perfect in a way that made my chest tighten. She wasn’t trying to tease me, I knew that. But go
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 140
CAMILLA’S POVAs per tradition, we couldn’t leave until the place was completely cleared. It was a long-standing rule—one we had followed for years. Only when the last person had returned to their home and the executioner had carried the body away did we dare to step forward.I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, refusing to look. I knew if I did, nausea would overwhelm me. My stomach was already twisted into painful knots, my throat dry as if it had been scorched. I wanted to convince myself that I didn’t care, that this was just another consequence of a cruel world. But deep down, I knew the truth—I still had a softness in me, one that Ryker didn’t share.Unlike him, I believed that if fate had been kinder, if circumstances had been different, she might have been, too.Ryker’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.“Everything’s been cleared out.”I swallowed hard and forced myself to glance up. The guillotine stood tall against the darkening sky, its blade gleaming with fresh blood. The g
The Rejected Mate's Curse Chapter 139
CAMILLA’S POVThe sun was beginning to dip beyond the palace walls, casting golden streaks across the sky as Ryker and I strolled through the grounds. The afternoon had been peaceful, just the two of us walking aimlessly, enjoying the rare quiet moments in our otherwise chaotic lives. But eventually, duty called, and we decided to pick Audrey up from school ourselves.The second she spotted us, her shriek nearly shattered my eardrums.“Mama! Papa!” She came running at full speed, her tiny feet barely touching the ground as she launched herself into my arms. I caught her with a laugh, staggering slightly under her enthusiasm.“I missed you!” she declared, squeezing my neck as though she never wanted to let go.“We were only gone for a few hours,” I reminded her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.“That’s forever!” she argued, her voice muffled against my shoulder.Ryker chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Did you have a good day at school?”That was all the encouragement she needed. Fro
