All Chapters of The Rejected Plus-Size Mate: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Nathan's POVI stared into Isabella’s eyes, watching the madness retreat behind a haze of sudden, desperate hope. She was a liability, a murderer, and a source of constant irritation, but she held the keys to the truth about Elara. If I wanted to know how she had managed to frame my favorite little captive, I couldn't beat it out of her. I had to seduce it out of her.I softened my grip on her shoulders, sliding my hands up to cup her face. "Isabella," I murmured, my voice dropping to a low, velvety register. "Do you have any idea how much your fire affects me?""You... you aren't angry?" she breathed, her lips trembling just inches from mine."I'm exhausted, Isabella. But seeing you like this, so fierce..." I didn't finish the sentence. I simply pressed my lips to hers again. This time, I didn't bruise. I moved with a practiced, lingering warmth. She melted instantly. Her arms coiled around my neck, her body molding against mine as if trying to fuse our skin together. I felt her hea

Elara's POVThe skin on the back of my neck prickled, a constant, nagging heat that hadn't left me for days. Someone was watching. Every shadow in the trees, every shift of the wind brought the same heavy, suffocating sensation of eyes boring into my spine. I couldn't live like this, jumping at every snapped twig. I needed to see their face. I needed to drag this ghost into the light."It’s the only way, Elias," I said, smoothing the silk of my dress as we stood in the center of the clearing. "If I stay locked in the fort, they’ll just keep hovering at the edge of my life. I’m luring them out."Elias frowned, his hand resting on the hilt of the blade at his belt. "A ceremony? Here? Elara, you’re making yourself a target. It’s too open.""Exactly," I countered, looking around at the decorations. "I’ve invited every Omega of my kind. A gathering of our people, a celebration of the moon. It’s the perfect cover. The stalker won't be able to resist the chance to get this close while I’m di

Elara's POVThe world stopped for a heartbeat as Elias crumpled to the stone floor. Panic, cold and sharp, pierced through my chest. "Elias!" I screamed, dropping to my knees beside him. I ignored the savage woman in the corner. I didn't care that she was suddenly, eerily still, her dark eyes fixed on us while her chains hung limp against the chair. My focus was entirely on Elias. His breathing was shallow, his face rapidly losing color. I grabbed his shoulders, shaking him gently before pressing my palms against the jagged, bloody puncture wounds on his arm."Come on, Elias, stay with me," I whispered, closing my eyes and reaching for the warmth in my core. I channeled every ounce of healing energy I possessed into the bite. I could feel the poison—it felt like oily, viscous sludge resisting my light. "Please, work. Just work."His skin twitched under my touch. The wounds began to close, the angry purple bruising around the teeth marks fading to a dull red. A moment later, his eyel

Elara's POVI double-checked the buckles on my leather satchel, pulling the straps tight until the material groaned. Beside me, Elias was already checking the girth of his horse’s saddle. The air was crisp, but the presence of the woman standing just a few feet away made the atmosphere feel thick and uncertain."Are you ready?" I asked, looking over at her.She nodded tentatively, clutching a small bundle to her chest. She looked frayed at the edges, her eyes darting toward the treeline as if expecting a ghost to emerge."We move now," Elias said, his voice low and professional. "The village is a long trek. We stay close, we stay quiet."As we began the descent toward the valley, I kept my pace matched with the foreigner’s. She walked with a slight limp, her head bowed."I don't think I ever caught your name," I said, trying to soften my tone. "I’m Elara. This is Elias."She looked up, her eyes watery. "Frey," she whispered. "My name is Frey.""It’s a strong name," I replied. "Where i

Elara's POVThe chief’s words hung in the air like a death sentence, the stench of rotting meat suddenly more pungent. I felt a sharp, heavy pull on my shoulder."We’re leaving. Now," Nathan hissed, his fingers digging into my arm as he tried to haul me backward. "This is insanity, Elara. They’re cannibals and they’re half-dead. It’s too dangerous to stay a second longer.""Nathan, let go," I snapped, trying to wrench my arm free, but his grip was iron.Elias stepped up to my other side, his expression grimmer than I’d ever seen it. "He’s right, Elara. Look at the chief’s face. He doesn’t want Frey’s help; he’s looking at us like livestock. If they’re this hostile to one of their own, we have no chance here. We should turn around while we still have the strength to fight our way out.""We can't just leave them!" I shouted, my voice cracking."Why not?" Nathan demanded, his eyes flashing with desperate protectiveness. "They’ve already decided to kill us if this doesn't work. Elara, ple