All Chapters of The Mafia’s Reject: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The day had unfolded with an unusual sense of peace, a rare reprieve from the chaos that had become my life. I had asked Aliah earlier where everyone had gone—Emma mostly, and Alaric. Fortunately, they had both gone to the hospital for some errands, leaving me with a few hours to myself. I relished the solitude. After everything, I needed it.I’d seen the large jacuzzi outside the lounging area several times but had never gotten the chance to use it. Today, I decided, was the day. I wasn’t required for anything, and I wasn’t in the mood for company. A dip in the hot water sounded like the perfect way to unwind and clear my mind.I slipped into my bikini, the fabric cool against my skin, and walked outside, appreciating the quiet calm that surrounded the area. The soft hum of nature in the background, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the occasional bird call. I could almost forget for a moment where I was—and what I was stuck in. The deep warmth of the water wrapped around me as I ea

I wasn’t stupid. I knew Emma was playing a game. After last night’s disaster, where she framed me for attacking her, I could barely sleep. Alaric hadn’t punished me—he hadn’t locked me up or hurt me—but his silence was punishment enough. He didn’t look at me the same way, and the way he had led Emma away from my room had sent a clear message. She was winning. I had spent the whole night replaying it in my mind, trying to figure out what to do. How did I fight back against someone who had everything—history, status, his love? I had no answer. So, I did what I always did when I had no control. I observed. Today, I kept my distance and watched Emma carefully. She was good. Too good. She played the role of the victim effortlessly, flinching slightly when I entered a room, lowering her voice whenever Alaric was around, always making sure she was near him. Every time he looked at her, his face softened. I wanted to scream. But I refused to let her push me out. Instead, I w

The tension in the mansion was palpable. Even with Emma gone, I felt like I was walking on eggshells. It wasn’t just the eerie silence that settled over the halls—it was Alaric. He was watching me more closely now, his gaze intense, unreadable. And worst of all, I could feel it. The bond. The invisible thread that tethered us together, growing stronger every day. I hated it. I hated the way my body reacted when he was near, the way I craved his presence even when I despised everything he stood for. I had witnessed firsthand what he was capable of, the raw power he possessed. And now, with Emma gone, I had lost the only buffer between us. There was nothing stopping him from claiming me. That morning, Aliah entered my room, carrying a neatly folded dress. “The Alpha has requested your presence,” she said, avoiding my gaze. I frowned, sitting up in bed. “Requested?” I repeated. “Or ordered?” Aliah hesitated before setting the dress on the bed. “Tonight is important, Vanessa.

I woke in a daze, my mind fogged by a night of tortured dreams. In my sleep, I had seen Anna—my little sister—crying out for me, abandoned and alone. The guilt of not having been there for her had clung to me even in my unconscious state, and when I finally opened my eyes, the weight of that guilt nearly suffocated me. I lay still for a long moment, my heart heavy with regret and confusion, wondering how my life had come to this point. I was trapped in this mansion, bound to Alaric by a mate bond I had never chosen—a bond that seemed to have a power beyond my control. But as the first light of dawn crept through my window, I knew I couldn’t allow myself to remain paralyzed by despair. I had to do something—anything—to regain some semblance of control. My thoughts turned to the secret I’d overheard the night before, and a dangerous determination began to rise within me. I needed to know more about this cursed bond and, if possible, learn how to reject it. I had to find a way to break

I should have known. I should have known that trying to reject him would end in disaster. My body felt like it was burning, the mark on my neck throbbing as I lay in the unfamiliar hospital bed. My limbs were heavy, my breath shallow, and my vision swam in and out of focus. How did I get here? Memories of last night slammed into me. Walking into his study, determined to break free. Telling him I would stick to our deal, but I couldn’t be his mate. Trying to say the words I reject you—only for my world to be ripped apart. Alaric had moved so fast I hadn’t even seen him cross the distance. Pain. That was all I remembered. His teeth sinking into my neck, his growl rumbling through my entire body, the way my soul had shattered under his grip. "You will not reject me. Ever." Then—nothing. Now, here I was. Weak. Trapped. And still bound to him. I turned my head slightly, wincing as pain shot through my body. That was when I saw it. The blood bags. Two of them. Conne