All Chapters of Rejected and Banished; The kids are his.: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Eva's POV.It had been a week since Nicklaus and I decided on our mating ceremony, and the news had spread like wildfire. Everywhere I went, I could hear the whispers, some voices filled with excitement, others tinged with disbelief and envy, but it didn’t matter. This ceremony wasn’t about anyone else. It was about Nicklaus and I.The pack was invited, of course; but there were also exclusive invitations for the higher-ranking members of the pack and other important guests. I’d insisted on personally helping with the sharing of some of these invitations, partly because I wanted to feel useful and partly because I just enjoyed being part of the process.So that afternoon, I was walking down the secluded path leading to the quarters where some of the elders resided; two of Nicklaus’s guards trailed behind me at a respectful distance. Their presence was both comforting and frustrating at the same time; I was still getting used to constantly being watched over.“Lady Eva,” one of them ca

Eva's POV.The carriage wheels rolled softly over the uneven gravel road, I sat silently, my hands pressed against my lap to still their trembling. Every second that passed felt heavier, pulling me closer to the grand hall and the ceremony that would change everything.But the nerves weren’t the only thing gnawing at me.I’d been down this road to the grand hall several times before, and as I peered out the carriage window, something didn’t feel right.The landscape was unfamiliar.My brows furrowed, and I leaned forward slightly. “Wait a second,” I blurted. “This isn’t the usual route to the grand hall.”The taller man seated across from me looked up, his expression annoyingly calm. “The usual road is currently under construction, my lady,” he explained smoothly. “This is the alternate route everyone is taking.”“Construction?” I repeated, disbelieving. “That’s strange. I didn’t hear anything about it, and this road.” I gestured out the window at the dense trees lining both sides "it

Eva's POV.My chest was heaving as the crowd closed in around me, their faces filled with suspicion and anger. I didn’t know what to do, where to run. The whispers were too loud, the accusing eyes pricking my skin. Suddenly, I sighted him.Nicklaus.He was pushing through the crowd with a furious scowl, his eyes scanned the chaos until they landed on me, and for the first time since the nightmare began, I felt the tiniest glimmer of relief.“Nicklaus!” My voice cracked as I ran toward him, my blood-soaked gown dragging heavily on the floor.He caught me before I could fall, his strong arms closing around me with a force that made me break down completely. I buried my face against his chest, trembling uncontrollably as he held me tight.“It’s okay,” he murmured softly, one hand cradling the back of my head. “You’re safe now, Eva. I’m here. You’re safe.”I clung to him like my life depended on it, letting the familiar warmth of his embrace push back the cold terror threatening to swall

Eva's POV.I had lost count of time. Hours? A full day? Maybe more? I wasn’t even sure anymore.My body ached all over from sitting on the cold, unfeeling floor of this godforsaken dungeon. My back hurt from leaning against the damp stone wall, my arms trembled from how long they'd been wrapped around my knees, and my eyes… gods, they were swollen and burning from crying more than I ever had in my life.I had tried to be strong at first. Told myself I wouldn’t cry. That it would all be sorted out in no time, that this had to be a mistake. I was the future queen for crying out loud.But I was wrong.I wasn’t even given the decency of an explanation. Just rough hands dragging me to this god-damned place. Tears welled again as that realization came crashing into me, harder this time. What the hell did I even do? Who could hate me enough to do this? I’d never stepped on anyone intentionally, I couldn’t stop asking myself why... over and over until the question couldn't make it out anymor

Eva's POV"I’ll still have to face the council for breaking you out of there… but that’s not important right now. You’re what matters.”"Most importantly, your father... Your entire family might freak out that I'm bringing you home this way but I can totally deal with it." He muttered and I chuckled dryly. He was right, but this is our final shot.I watched as he climbed down from the carriage and reached up for me, he scooped me into his arms like I weighed nothing, even though I knew I must’ve felt like a bag of stones from how stiff and unresponsive I’d been. His warmth wrapped around me like a shield, and I leaned into him involuntarily, inhaling the faint scent of his skin.As soon as we approached the house gate, the two guards stationed there stiffened instantly. One of them squinted, and when he recognized Nicklaus, his mouth dropped open."Nicklaus?” he muttered in disbelief.It sounded weird hearing them call him by his name, I had become used to him being the prince back a