Page 69 of Their Rejected Queen

Normally, Monster Realms only have the ability to create portals on Monsters Night, which happens once a year. Here, they’re called the Monster Games.

But death is ever present. Death itself is a portal. And if I had found myself at Arwan’s tower as a child, that could explain how I became linked to him the second I touched Monster Isle’s soil.

Ze’ev nods, confirming the impossible. Monster Isle is a holding ground for monsters of all types. Some of them come from the death realm. When I look up at him, his jaw flexes as if he has personal experience with this topic. His next note reads: I’m cursed by death. It seems, so are you.

He doesn’t give me anything else. I have so many questions, but Ze’ev might not have those answers. Not in the way that’ll make sense to me.

I have a feeling that whoever is in Monster Isle’s castle might, though.

“What do you want in return for training me and telling me how to get to the castle?” I ask. “Name your price.”

Ze’ev gives me a raised brow, then takes out his final piece of paper. I hadn’t noticed that his pad was running out. We’re not going to be able to keep talking.

It reads: If you pass my test, I’ll show you the way.

As if on cue, the crunch of twigs in the forest makes me freeze.

When I look up, Ze’ev is gone.

And multiple pairs of glowing silver eyes blink through the darkness.

The beasts who have found me aren’t wolves. Worse.

Vampire hybrids look at me with hungry stares and open their mouths, revealing fangs.

“Well, the Outcast continues to surprise me. He left a little present for us,” one says with a hiss to his words.

One of the others adjusts a ring on his finger and runs his tongue across his lower lip. “Arwan is a dick. I say we kill her.”

“Not before I play with her first,” the third says, making a chill run up my spine at the way he’s looking at me. “I want to see what’s under her skirt that has Arwan tied up in a wad. He’s never sponsored anyone before, and the Alpha has never taken a concubine, either.”

“I’m surprised she doesn’t smell like a dog,” the first says as his nostrils flare. “And I bet her blood is sweet. You can have the rest of her as long as I can rip into that vein pulsing on her neck.”

The three of them snicker as they close in on me.

I don’t need a note from Ze’ev to know what to do next.

I run.

CHAPTER 18

I remind myself never to trust a male ever again.

“Ze’ev!” I scream as I run through the woods with three vampire hybrids on my tail.

I’m going to kill that asshole. Assuming I don’t die before I can find him.

Arwan had already warned me that he can’t rescue me if anything permanent happens, such as my body being torn apart and my corpse drained of its blood.

I’m so dead.

Snarls sound behind me. It’s only thanks to my strength potion that I’m able to outpace them, but that won’t last long. Supernaturals are incredibly fast and have a lot more stamina than I do, even if I’m running on magic.

I head toward the encampment instead of away from it. I imagine that the wolves won’t appreciate royals trying to kill one of their own, even if I’m just a human.

As much as I hate to admit it, Godric does offer protection. Arwan has saved my life once.

Ze’ev, on the other hand, has traded me for whatever these assholes have given him in return.