All Chapters of Rejected and Banished; The kids are his.: Chapter 241 - Chapter 250

Eva's POV.It was finally here. The day I had been waiting for.The day Aragorn would choke on his own arrogance.The day the crown he thought he had stolen would slip from his hands like sand.I stood before the tall mirror, my hands steady as I adjusted the last jewel in my hair. The gown I had chosen shimmered with every shift of light, woven with silver and black threads all over. My neckline plunged daringly, my waist hugged tightly, the skirt flowing behind me.I did not dress this way for Aragorn. I dressed for war.And what better armor than beauty sharp enough to cut?I leaned closer to my reflection, letting my lips curve into the faintest smile. “By the time this day is over,” I whispered to myself, “you will no longer be running, Eva. You will be home. You will be free.”Drawing in a deep breath, I turned and swept out of the room.The corridors were alive already, the house keepers running around to get everywhere clean and in other, and chefs preparing the best meals as

Eva's POV.The gathering was bursting at the seams now, the coronation crowd stretched as far as my eyes could see, faces from near and far, villagers and nobles alike, each one craning their necks to witness what would unfold between the two brothers. The air was tight, too tight, as though the heavens themselves were holding their breath.I stood near Aragorn, a calm mask etched on my face, though my veins pulsed hot with anticipation. This was supposed to be the grand moment, the unraveling of his lies, the exposing of his treachery. But fate, as always, decided to twist the knife before I even lifted it.Because then... he came.Nicklaus.He broke through the murmuring crowd as he approached me, my heart faltered in my chest, immediately I sighted him coming, beating so loud I could swore the people closest to me could hear it.He reached me in seconds, closer than I expected, his hand gripping my arm... not roughly, not angrily, but firmly.“Eva,” he said, his voice a low rumble.

Eva's POV.I had never heard silence so loud.The pack gathering seemed to shake under the weight of my words. I could see it in their faces... their gasps, the way their eyes widened, the sharp turns of their heads as though they needed to confirm with their neighbors that I had truly spoken those words. For days, weeks even, they had believed that I was standing against Nicklaus, that I had chosen Aragorn’s side. And now… now I had turned it all around with a single declaration.That I stood for Nicklaus.The rightful king.The crowd erupted, gasps colliding with shouts of disbelief, then wild chatter, then a storm of noise so deafening that I couldn’t hear myself breathe. Some shouted joyfully, others cursed Aragorn under their breath, but all of it was chaos.“Silence!” Elder Kruger’s voice cracked against the noise, his staff slammed against the stone with such force that sparks of light seemed to flash. The noise died reluctantly, though murmurs still buzzed like angry bees.Hi

Eva's POV.The square had never sounded like this before. The air itself trembled beneath the weight of hundreds of voices rising at once. Cries, sobs, laughter that cracked with relief, chaos and pure chaos. My throat tightened, my eyes blurring with tears, because even though this wasn’t my family being returned to me, it felt like it. Every cry of “Mother!” or “My child!” was a knife of pain and relief straight to my chest. I had fought for this. I had risked everything... for Nicklaus, yes, but also for these people, for their justice.The chief elder, Kruger, banged his staff hard against the floor again.“Silence!” He growled and reluctantly, the crowd’s shouting died down into weeping murmurs, and all eyes turned back toward the circle where Aragorn and his allies were still bound by Renna’s spell.I swallowed, forcing myself to stand tall. My heart thudded wildly, but for once it wasn’t fear, it was the weight of victory pressing against my ribs.Elder Magnus spat on the floo

Eva's POV.The pack gathering buzzed under the merciful moon; every inch of the space felt alive... people laughing and mingling freely.Nicklaus sat beside me on the high throne chair presented immediately after the coronation, he looked breathtaking in the crown that rested easily on his head, as though it had always belonged there. My hand brushed lightly over the smooth armrest, trying to convince myself that all this was real... that we had survived everything and stood now as King and Queen.People lined up before us... pack members, elders, warriors, families, coming forward to bow, offer words of happiness, and pour out congratulations. Some I knew by name; others I’d only seen from afar during the trials and chaos of the last few days. Each time someone bowed, Nicklaus would stand halfway, offering his hand or a brief nod in acknowledgment. He was formal, but when his gaze turned to me, there was always a softness there that no one else got to see.After the fifth group left,