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The Calm

작가: Racheal
last update 최신 업데이트: 2025-03-31 06:44:05

Chapter Eighty Five: The Calm

(Cara's POV)

The dim light of a candle cast long shadows on the walls of my room. I brushed my hair in front of my mirror, my lips curved into a slow smile. It was mating ceremony night.

A night Sophia believed was hers.

How naive.

I grasped for a silver chain, tracing the delicate string with my fingers. It was little, but it would have to do. My gown, the one I would wear when Damon said my name and not hers, folded neatly on my bed. It was nowhere as fancy as Sophia's—no one expected that I would need one. But I had arranged things for myself, quietly, in the darkness.

Sophia had spent days selecting her dress, staring into the mirror, dreaming about tonight.

She actually believed she'd be Luna.

But I was aware of better.

I softly hummed, getting up and running my hands over my dress. Just as I was going to sit back down, the door to my room exploded open suddenly.

Vanessa.

I rolled my eyes the moment I set eyes on her. She was boisterous, self-center
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  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Left Behind

    Chapter Eighty-Six: Left Behind(Cara's POV)It was near electric. The music was blaring with the beat of footsteps and the laughter of people as Sophia, Liam, and Vanessa finished their last touches to walk away. They were perfection-perfect-looking—wearing expensive fabrics, hair neatly styled, dressed to stroll in to the wedding as if they did not care that the world was in their debt.I stood by the door, twiddling with the humble dress I had been able to prepare. It was less elegant than Sophia's or Vanessa's, but it was neat. I didn't anticipate overshadowing them—I just wanted to be there.Deep within me, I believed that I would get to go. That even though I wasn't one of them, that even though I wasn't Luna's favorite, that somehow I would still get this chance.I was wrong."You're not going."Luna's voice was cutting, unrelenting, leaving no space for argument.For a moment, I believed I had misheard. I glanced around at her, my heart skipping a beat."What?" My voice was so

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-03-31
  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   The Promise

    Chapter Eighty-Seven: The Promise(Cara’s POV)The air buzzed with excitement, and my heart raced in my chest. Tonight was the night—the night Damon would finally choose me, the night everything would fall into place.I stood in the middle of the grand hall, my fingers twisting nervously in front of me. Wolves moved around, making last-minute preparations, their voices blending into a steady hum. My dress, though not as extravagant as Sophia’s, was perfect to me. I had spent so much time preparing for this moment, making sure everything was just right.But none of that mattered now.I needed to see Damon.I bit my lip, my eyes scanning the room for him. He had promised me. He had told me that no matter what happened, I would be the one he chose. I believed him—of course, I did. But I needed to hear it one more time. I needed to see him, to feel him, to know that nothing had changed.I turned my head and spotted Lucas standing near the entrance, his arms crossed over his chest. He was

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-03-31
  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Waiting

    Chapter Eighty-Eight: Waiting (Cara's POV)The corridor was full of people, but I waited alone. My heart beat fast, my hands were cold, and my stomach was tight with nervousness.This was it.The evening Damon would come and get me.I had waited that long. I had dreamt of this. Imagined it, how it would come about. I understood there were impediments—Sophia, the elders, expectations of the pack—but that all didn't count.For he vowed it to me.Damon had told me that I was the one. He had told me that no matter what would come, he would never release me. I held on to those words as if they were the only thing that could make me breathe.So why was I so scared?I swallowed hard, taking it in. The great hall was festively dressed, with red and silver banners hanging overhead, and golden candlelight shining off of the gleaming floors. Wolves made quiet excited exchanges back and forth, the excitement apparent in their gentle spoken words.I tried to stay calm. I didn't need to go crazy.

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-03-31
  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Shattered

    Chapter Eighty Nine: Shattered(Cara's POV)I couldn't move. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe.Damon had just uttered the words that destroyed me."I choose Sophia Wilson as my mate."The applause in the room was distant, muffled, as if I was drowning in an ocean of betrayal. My heart pounded in my ears, loud and wild, but at the same time, everything inside me had stopped, gone numb.This wasn't happening.It couldn't be happening.My fingers trembled at my sides while I looked at him, praying for him to turn and see me, to tell me that this was some terrible prank.But it wasn't.Sophia's smile glowed with triumph as she approached him, each step slow and measured, as if she wanted to savor the moment. The moment she had won.She had taken everything from me.But no.Damon had given everything to her.My breathing came in harsh, strangled gasps as I fought against the tears burning in my eyes. I wouldn't weep. I wouldn't let them see me weep. Not here. Not in front of him.And t

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-03-31
  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   The Pain And The Promise

    Chapter Ninety: The Pain and the Promise(Cara’s POV)I ran.I didn’t know where I was going—I just knew I had to get away.The cheers from the ceremony still rang in my ears, taunting me, haunting me. My breath came out in sharp gasps, my vision blurred with tears, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. My legs moved on their own, carrying me deep into the forest, far away from the pack, far away from him.Damon had chosen Sophia.He had kissed her in front of everyone.And then, he had smiled at me.Like I was nothing. Like I was just another fool who had believed in his lies.A strangled sob escaped my throat as I pushed forward, my dress catching on branches, my bare feet scraping against the rough ground. But I didn’t care. I wanted the pain. I wanted something—anything—to remind me that I was still alive. Because right now, it felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest and stomped on.The trees grew denser, the shadows swallowing me whole. The night was cold, but a fire burned i

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-03-31
  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   The Night Talk

    Chapter Ninety-One: The Night Talk(Damon's POV)It was a peaceful night, with the air fresh and cool, as the warm light of the lanterns shone softly within the room.Sophia lay on the bed, her breathing slow and steady. She looked peaceful, completely relaxed after everything that had happened today. I should have been so too—relieved, happy even. I had made my choice, I had done what was asked of me. But something in my chest was. amiss.I pushed the thought away as Lucas leaned on the window, smiling. He had his look in his eyes—the one he always had when he was about to tell me something that I didn't want to hear."Man," Lucas laughed, shaking his head. "Looked like she sucked on a lemon."I didn't answer immediately, pouring a glass of whiskey instead. I didn't know if I was ready for Cara.Lucas didn't care. He continued.She stood there like she'd just been slapped across the face. I mean, I was convinced she was gonna pass out in front of everyone." He jeered. "The way she ju

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-03-31
  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   In Search For Cara

    Chapter Ninety-Two: In Search of Cara(Damon's POV)The night was colder than usual.I sat in my room, by myself, staring at the flickering candle on the table. The room was quiet, but not my thoughts. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling inside me.Cara.Where was she?I leaned back in my chair, letting out a deep breath. My fingers tapped on the wooden armrest, my thoughts whirling.It had been hours since she flew off into the forest.I thought she would return at first.She always did.No matter how mad she was, no matter how much she wanted to just vanish, she always came back. But this time… this time was different.Lucas had mocked it before, laughing about how hurt she would have been. He acted like it was no big thing, like Cara's pain was funny. I had laughed along with him.But now, I wasn't laughing.Something about the fact that she had just disappeared wasn't sitting right with me.Cara wasn't breakable. I knew that.But I also knew that when people w

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-03-31
  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   A Difficult Decision

    Chapter Ninety Three : A Difficult Decision(Damon’s POV)The walk back home was quiet. Too quiet.I didn’t know what to say to Cara, and for some reason, she wasn’t saying anything either. She just followed me, her steps light but her presence heavy.I wasn’t sure if bringing her back was the right decision.Sophia.I didn’t want to hurt her. Not now, not ever. She was the one person who had always been there for me. The last thing I wanted was for her to misunderstand the situation.But I also couldn’t leave Cara in the forest. No matter what had happened between us, I couldn’t ignore the fact that she was alone, and even if she acted like she didn’t care, I knew she was hurting.Beside me, Cara suddenly let out a breath, breaking the silence.“You haven’t said a single word since we left,” she muttered, her tone unreadable.I glanced at her, but she wasn’t looking at me. Her gaze was fixed ahead, as if she wasn’t expecting an answer.I stayed silent. What could I even say? That I w

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-01

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  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Trapped In Deception

    Chapter 158 – Trapped in DeceptionDamon's POVThe air was thick in my study. Tension-charged. A burning heat radiated in my chest from a pain that had no reason behind it. A mixture of anger, fear, and confusion.Sophia was nowhere to be found.I had attempted. Texted. Waited.Nothing.She always kept her word. Always told me where she was going to be.But now… nothing.Lucas sat across from me, his hands flying quickly across the tablet screen. He had been quiet the last few minutes, trying to track Cara's phone. The guards we'd sent had lost Sophia. And now Cara too.I did not want to think it. I did not want to believe that Cara was involved. But every fiber of my being was screaming otherwise."Any signal?" I asked, my throat scratchy."Not yet," said Lucas. "Just another second or two. If she's got her phone on, we'll pinpoint it."Before he could finish speaking, the study door creaked open.I raised my head hastily.And there she was.Cara.Craddling the baby in her arms.My h

  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Suspect

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  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Trapped By Cara

    Chapter 156 : Trapped By CaraThe streets were deserted as I walked to the destination I had been sent. It was an old street, near the town center, yet still deserted enough to make me get a bit apprehensive. I held my phone tight.And then suddenly—A heavy sound behind me.Before I could even turn, someone grabbed me hard from behind. A fist closed over my mouth. I struggled, kicked, screamed — but the rag over my mouth muffled my cry.I was pulled back, through an alley. My heart thudded so violently I thought it would burst.I caught sight of the shape of a broken-down, falling building — the windows broken, the walls cracked. My gut wrenched.They shoved me in.The air was thick with dust and mold. I was tied at the wrists. My mouth was open, my throat dry."W-What's going on?" I gasped. "Let me go!"And then I saw her.Cara.She stepped out of the darkness as if catwalking down a catwalk. Unfazed. Unapologetic. Evil.Caleb was behind her. He turned his head aside when I tried to

  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   The Weight in My Chest

    Chapter 155 :?The Weight in My Chest(Damon's POV)The air in my study was stale. The room smelled of old pages and quiet reflection. I had a book in my hand, but I wasn't reading. My eyes had been on the same line for the past five minutes. My mind wasn't calm.Not since that message came.Alec Davis — the name that had been so important to Sophia. Her favorite author. The one author who had written stories that had comforted her when the world had been cruel.Now that same author wanted to meet her in person. Alone.I didn't care for it. Not at all. It was strange. It felt too abrupt. Too personal. And something in the message… it had my wolf unsettle with unease.Just then, the door to our bedroom opened.Sophia stepped out. She wore light jeans and a soft cream-colored sweater. Her hair was brushed back neatly. She looked beautiful, but her face carried excitement, like a child about to meet her hero.“Damon,” she said gently.I turned in my chair, eyes meeting hers.“I’m getting

  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Bargain

    Chapter one hundred and fifty four : Cara's BargainPOV: CaraIt was cold air, night air, gliding down my body like a caress. I walked through the woods, taking my time, no hurry. My black trench coat was enveloped around me, heels of shoes sinking delicately into sodden ground as I went deeper into the trees. The moon was silver, distant, cold—like I am tonight.I'd given the message to Caleb hours ago. He responded right away."Same location. Midnight."This is the time I need Caleb the most, I know he doesn’t like Damon, and this is the time for me to act like I care about him.I smiled as I walked towards the small cabin hidden at the edge of the border, a place that only the two of us knew. A place that was filled with tired memories, lust, lies… and now, a new plan.The door was already open before I could knock.He stood there, big and broad, still with that same obstinate look he always had. Caleb. My history. My instrument."Cara," he said coldly. "What are you doing here?""

  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Secret

    Chapter: Secrets and ShadowsDamon's POVThe moonlight through the big windows in my office cast silver streaks on the floor. I sat at my desk, drumming fingers on the wood with nervous restraint. I had banished Sophia earlier that day, telling her I needed to rest. But my thoughts wouldn't rest tonight.Not after that message.Something is amiss.A knock on the door."Come in," I replied.Lucas walked in. My Beta. Loyal. Calm. Sharp.He bowed slightly. "You called, Alpha?"I nodded and motioned to the seat across from me. "Sit. We have to talk."Lucas sat, understanding the seriousness in my voice. "What is it?"I placed my phone in his hands and let him read the message.He read again, slowly.And then looked up at me with an eyebrow raised, furrowed face. "Alec Davis. wants her to come alone?""Yes," I said. "No destination yet, but I know Sophia will depart once it comes. And she doesn't want me included."Lucas sat back. "That's not wise. She's the Luna. What if it's a trap?""Th

  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   Something She’s keeping secret

    Chapter 152: Something She's Keeping SecretDamon's POVThe room was peaceful.Sophia was in my arms, her head gently on my chest. She smelled of roses. Her breath was hot on my skin. Outside was quiet. No guard shouting. No wolves training. Just us. Alone. Safe.I kissed her forehead gently. She smiled faintly but did not open her eyes. She was tired. Maybe it was everything that happened today. The elders visited us earlier. They brought laughter and gifts—but tension as well. They kept reminding us that the pack needed an heir. That we owed it. A future to build.Sophia had said nothing after they left. I'd known something was bothering her. I hadn't asked. Not yet. I'd known she'd tell me when she was ready.Now, in this soft silence, I sensed her release once more."Are you alright?" I whispered, running my hand down her spine."I'm fine," she replied, her tone soft and slightly unsure.But before I could ask her anything else, her phone beeped.She sat bolt upright, grabbing the

  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   The Game Begins

    Chapter 151: "The Game Begins"POV: CaraThe room was quiet—too quiet. Just the way I liked it.I perched on the bed in the guest room Damon had so generously allowed me to occupy. A part of me was entertained at how uneasy Sophia and Damon both were with my presence, yet they didn't have the backbone to tell me to leave. Guilt is such a potent leash. And I intended to tug it tighter.I deliberately folded my knees, watching as the curtain twitched to an imaginary dance created by a whiff of a breeze coming in through the window. Outside, the pack revelled, their laughter and cheers causing my stomach to churn—though not from envy. No, it was. enjoyment.For deep within, they knew not that their peace was what I held within my hand. And tonight, I was about to shatter.My phone buzzed on the table next to me. I grasped it drowsily and smiled at the name lighting up the screen: Mia — Publisher.Perfect timing.I picked up the phone in a sugary, scripted tone. "Mia, sweetheart. I was ju

  • Rejected By One, Claimed By Another   The Search For Alex Davis

    Chapter: The Search for Alec DavisDamon's POVThe night was still. Too still.I sat in my study, the gentle glow of the fire illuminating shadows in the dark corners of the room. The logs popped as I stared into the fire, my mind far away. My mind wandered back to earlier today—when the elders had come to demand an heir, when Sophia had looked at me with that mixture of hope and fear. I had told her everything would be fine, but that little ball of doubt in my chest wouldn't go away.The heir.Was I already letting her down?I had promised Sophia that I would never abandon her. To protect her. To care for her. But how could I make her so joyful when something as important as this was slipping away from us?I sighed, slouching in my chair and running my hand through my hair. I had to clear my head. But I'd already wasted hours pacing, deliberating, trying to come up with a solution.And then, the one thing that could possibly cheer her up, I remembered.Alec Davis.I had heard her onc

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