Lahat ng Kabanata ng Rejected by my cursed mate: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Daria’s POVMy knuckles were bleeding again.I slowly wiped them on my training pants, leaving dark smears on the rough fabric. The dust from the training yard stuck to every inch of my sweat-soaked skin. Every breath felt like fire in my lungs, and my ribs still throbbed from the last blow. But I pushed myself up anyway, forcing my shaky legs to hold my weight.The mocking laughter started before I was even fully standing.“Look at her. She actually thinks she can be a warrior.” Marcus, one of the pack’s best fighters, didn’t bother lowering his voice. His arms were crossed as he leaned against the fence post, a smirk plastered across his face.“An orphan omega? Please,” his friend scoffed, spitting into the dirt. “She should be in the kitchens where she belongs.”I ignored them. I’d had years of practice ignoring the whispers, the sneers, the way pack members looked through me like I was invisible. My parents had died in the Great War when I was three, so I had no family or status.

Daria’s POVThe mansion was cold. Beautiful, yes, marble floors polished to a mirror shine, crystal chandeliers that scattered light like diamonds, artwork on every wall. But there was no warmth here. No life. Just like Lucius himself.I barely saw him.The first three days, I told myself he was busy. Alpha duties. Pack business. Important things that kept him away. But by the fourth day, the truth became painfully clear that he was avoiding me.He locked himself in his office for hours. Sometimes he left the estate entirely, gone without a word to anyone. And when we did cross paths in the hallways, his gaze slid past me like I was invisible. Like I was furniture. Or even less than furniture.My wolf howled for him constantly. The cracked bond pulled at me, like a fishhook lodged in my chest, always tugging in his direction. It drove me half-mad with longing.I tried to ignore it. Tried to focus on settling into my new room, learning the mansion’s layout, and staying out of the way.

Daria's POVI could hear voices everywhere, as though underwater. "She's fading!" "The child, too!" "Silas, you gotta decide!" Choose? Choose what? My head was spinning since I attempted to open my eyes, but all was blurry. Shapes, weird shapes, swerved upon me--rags. Hands. Light flickering. I did not know what was going on. I simply felt acute, cutting pain hammering again and again through my stomach. I heard Silas scream, I will not choose! They are going to shoot you, said a witch of the younger generation, and to lose them both! My breath got stuck. It seemed as though my heart was squeezing. There was a time when I attempted to raise my hand, but it was not my hand. "Please..." My voice shook. "My baby... please save my baby..." I was leaned over by one of the witches. "Don't talk, child." I ignored her. "Save... her." Silas leaned over me and touched my hand. "Daria, no. Don't speak. You need your strength." I blinked hard. In and out of focus, his

Daria's POVThe circle was illuminated beneath my feet. Bright. Hot. Alive.I embraced Harriet, but Silas took her out of my arms. No, I said to myself, trying to maintain myself. He shook his head. You can not move to the next level holding her in your arms. It'll hurt you both." As he sent her to some other witch, my heart sank in pain. Harriet whimpered. Take care of her... please... take care of her, I said. And you have my word, the witch said. Then the chanting started. Then it was gentle, as the wind in the leaves. Then it got louder. Stronger. Heavier. Soon, Silas joined me in the circle, on his cane. This will make everything different with Daria. My chest tightened. "I know." "Are you ready?" I wasn't. I could never be prepared to kill the name my mom gave me. I would not be prepared to lose the girl who survived the Blood Pact, was struggling with food crumbs, and kept hope in a dying ember. But Harriet had to have a mom who was not hunted. I

Ari's POVMy heart did not stop racing even though the howl died away.Wolves were close.Too close.Silas made his way, hastening to the fringe of the clearing, leaning on his cane. "Everyone into position! Now we must have the concealment barrier!The witches went flying about and made a great ring about Witchwood. Their hands were up, and they were fast chanting.I had Harriet held close to my bosom. Her small fingers were hooked in my hair.I whispered and gaped, "It's Silas out there. Lucius is here. I can feel him."Silas turned sharply. "Do not let fear guide you. Focus on Harriet.""I can't breathe," I said, shaking. "What if he finds us?""He won't," he said firmly. Not with the concealment barrier. Now stay close."There was another howl--lower, more coarse, with rage.My skin prickled all over. Harcourt tensed in my hands, her little body hard.One of the witches screamed, "Wolves at the edge! I see eyes—five... no, six of them!"Silas raised his cane. "Begin the barrier!"