All Chapters of Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the Crown: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Ember Frost’s POV"I didn’t! I didn’t mean... I mean," I stammered, desperately trying to explain myself. The more I tried to make it right, the worse it seemed to get, so I just clammed up, feeling utterly embarrassed.Juniper couldn’t resist. “Ha! Even middle school girls have more sense than you! Silly girl, haha! Ember, you always manage to surprise me.”I didn’t have the energy to respond to her, nor did I care. Duke George was now staring at us, his eyes wide, looking as if he might crush his coffee cup with his bare hands.“Your Grace... I—” I started again, but my words failed me. I turned to Orion for help. He seemed to be scrambling for the right thing to say to calm his father down, but before he could speak, the Duke’s hearty laughter suddenly filled the room.“That’s fantastic! Truly fantastic!” Duke George exclaimed, still laughing. “Thank you, Miss Ember. It seems my foolish son’s future is finally set. Now, when can I meet your parents? Have you set a wedding date yet?

Ember Frost’s POVAs Orion and I sat looking at each other with smiles, my mother cleared her throat, interrupting the peaceful warmth between us. "Ahem, please keep in mind we're still here," she said, half joking, half serious.Startled, we instantly pulled our hands apart like guilty children caught in the act. Our cheeks flushed a deep pink, like ripe fruit—we must have looked ridiculous.He gave me a playful wink, and I returned a smile. We both looked at each other’s flushed faces and couldn’t help but laugh.My father, on the other hand, rubbed his temples with a weary sigh, clearly torn between amusement and disbelief. “Alright, alright,” he said at last, shaking his head. “Enough with the theatrics.”I bit my lip and asked softly, “So... you’re not upset with us anymore?”He chuckled. “Upset? When even the heavens seem to bless your bond? Young people act on impulse, yes — but your hearts are sincere. With love like that, what right do I have to stand in the way?”My mother s

Ember Frost’s POVThe story was sad and beautiful all at once. To Orion and me, it didn’t feel like a simple love story; it was more like a tale between a princess and her loyal general.“So, are you saying the Northern Duke and the witches had personal issues, beyond their usual rivalry?” I asked.The lifeweaver witches were rare and incredibly powerful. The dark energy that Satan wielded was intense, and for her to transform such a sinister force into a healing gift wasn’t just a stroke of genius—it was something far beyond that. Timing, location, and the right people were key.The lifeweaver witch had sacrificed her life for the Northern Duke, but the sorcerers weren't concerned about the grief her death caused. All they wanted was to unleash their fury on him.And so, it was no surprise that both he and his daughter Alina were now in their sights.“My father and I believe that’s the case too,” Orion replied.“My father believes the Northern Duke survived because of the lifeweaver

Ember Frost’s POVHonestly, the moment we shifted back to our human form, it just felt… awkward.I couldn’t stop thinking how I should’ve gone back nine minutes earlier just to knock some sense into myself—hard—twice.This wasn’t some cheesy romance drama. What on earth was I thinking?The more I replayed my ridiculous behavior, the more my face burned. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.Unable to stand the shame, I crouched down, buried my head in my knees, and yelled, “Don’t look at me! Don’t you dare laugh! Just go away already!”But of course, Orion didn’t listen. He came closer, squatted beside me, and pulled me into his arms with that infuriatingly gentle smile. “I’m really moved, you know,” he said softly. “It’s the first time you’ve told me you love me so openly.”“That was Juniper!” I blurted out, desperate to deny it. “She said it, not me!”“Alright, alright,” he chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. “It was Juniper. She only said what your heart was screaming

Ember Frost’s POVI turned to Orion, confused. Noticing my expression, he explained calmly, “A long time ago, when the Northern Duke was in love with the lifeweaver witch, she used to make him spiced tea pastries. It became their thing, a symbol of their connection. Since then, he’s always loved them, and to this day, he won’t turn them down.” I paused, trying to grasp the meaning of his words. “That means he’s asking for help, just not directly. His strange behavior is his way of sending a signal?”Orion nodded. “Exactly. His strange behavior is his way of reaching out.”He paused, then added, his tone more serious now, “What’s worse is that even though Alina isn’t around, the Northern Duke still can’t speak freely. Either Alina is keeping an eye on him, or he’s too afraid to risk telling the truth. It points to one thing: he’s in serious danger.”I frowned, trying to understand the bigger picture. “The Northern Duke is one of the strongest warriors in the North. No witch alone coul