The Rejected daughter chosen by the Alpha (Maya and Atila) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

– MAYA

I was sitting in the middle of the bed, completely still, staring at nothing, when it finally hit me.

And then I lost it.

65 youchuurs

I fell back onto the mattress, kicked my legs, buried my face in the pillow, and let out a muffled groan of pure despair.

Why? Why me?

Dear God-he can read my thoughts. He always has.

That meant that from the very first day… from the very first damn day… Átila knew.

He knew everything. What I thought. What I felt. The things I would never say out loud-not even under torture.

rolled across the bed, clutching the pillow to my chest as if I could hide inside it. My mind ran in vicious circles. Every conversation now came with a wave of humiliation. Every thought I’d believed was safe, private, mine-Átila had heard it.

wanted to dig a hole. A deep one. And crawl inside it forever.

stayed like that for long minutes, tossing from side to side, suffering in silence, replaying every moment I’d been near him nd thought far too much about him.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I got up.

walked to the window and pulled the curtain aside.

Outside, Átila was chopping wood.

The cold thickened the air, and the high moon lit the garden along with low lanterns scattered between the trees. He was hirtless, his body slick with sweat, muscles flexing with every precise swing of the axe. The blade came down hard, and the wood split cleanly beneath the impact. Steam rose in faint clouds with each breath he took.

I bet he was enjoying playing with me, knowing exactly what was going through my head. That’s so… unfair.”

ndignation burned hotter.

This isn’t over. I’m getting revenge.”

is if he’d heard me, he stopped. The axe hung suspended for a second, and my heart leapt into my throat.

Could he hear me from here?

held my breath. He simply picked up another log and went back to work.

shut the window with a sharp click.

This is so disturbing,” I muttered, dragging my hands through my hair. “How am I supposed to keep living in the same ouse as a man who knows everything that goes on in my head?”

paced the room, my anger growing with every step. I didn’t know if I was furious at nature for giving Atila such a stupid bility-or at him for not warning me sooner.

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Chapter 30.

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On impulse, 1 yanked the door open and marched outside.

The garden greeted me with a fine drizzle, barely noticeable at first. I ignored it. I crossed the lawn with stiff steps, the cold clinging to my skin, the scent of freshly cut wood heavy in the air. The rain intensified as I drew closer.

He had his back to me when the words shot out.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why did you let all this time pass?” My voice trembled, but it was steady. “How do you expect me to trust you, knowing you’ve spent days invading something as intimate as my thoughts?”

He stopped.

He turned his head over his shoulder and looked at me. There was seriousness there. And caution.

My chest rose and fell fast, my hands shaking as I waited.

“I was wrong not to tell you,” he said finally. “But would you have stayed? Would you have accepted my protection if you’d known from the start?”

“That doesn’t matter,” I snapped, stepping forward and pointing at him. “That choice should’ve been mine.”

“Then choose now.” He set the axe down. “Cross the portal and face the world alone… or stay here with me.”

‘I can handle the outside world on my own.”

‘You can’t, Maya.” He moved closer. “You need someone by your side.”

‘No. I don’t, I growled as the rain grew heavier.

He stopped inches from me, lowering his face, dark eyes locked on mine.

You do. Everyone does. You can start over alone and discover the world is far crueler than you imagine… or stay here… with ne. With someone you can trust completely. With a man who thinks of nothing but keeping you safe.”

My entire body vibrated. Rain streamed down his face, clung to my lashes, blending with the heat rising between us.

You didn’t have that right,” I whispered. “Now I just feel… more vulnerable than before. And embarrassed.”

Maya.” He cupped my face with both hands, careful, gentle. His voice dropped. “You have absolutely nothing to be mbarrassed about. Your thoughts are the purest things I’ve ever heard.”

A tear slipped free, and he continued, resting his forehead against mine.

Are you sure? Even when I’m cursing you out in my head?”

One corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “How could I judge you when, even when you’re angry at me, your face can’t hide what you’re thinking?” He sighed. “Stop this. Let me take care of you, little one. Trust me.”

His words struck something deep in my chest. He’d never done anything but protect me.

The fear I felt didn’t come from him.

It came from me.

The silence between us didn’t last.

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