Chapter 109*Rafe*"We can do the test here," Jessica said. "There's no time to waste.""Is that what you would prefer, My king?" Dimitri asked approaching Jessica with a calmness that belied the storm brewing in the room."Yes, just do it." Jessica instructed. "Let's get this done with and prove that I'm not a liar."He extended his hand to her, his fingers glowing faintly with magical energy. Jessica hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his, her eyes darting nervously around the room. It occurred to me that it would be better if everyone was present because Jessica wasn't trusted one bit. "Wait." I comanded, my voice barely above a whisper as the tension threatened to choke me."Jessica," I said, my voice cold and unyielding. "This test will be done in the private courtroom, in front of the elders and the other ladies. You won't have any chance to lie or manipulate your way out of this."Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger and fear, but she nodded. "Fine."Time seemed t
Chapter 110*Rafe*My voice roared with a fierce intensity, reverberating off the cold, stone walls of the courtroom. The murmurs and whispers that had filled the room fell silent as every eye turned to me. "Enough, Jessica!" I growled, my anger boiling over. "There is no cause for celebration here. Jessica did not conceive this child through mutual consent. She took advantage of me while I was drunk and unconscious." The weight of my words hung heavy in the air as I addressed the stunned onlookers, their faces frozen in shock and disbelief. My heart raced with emotion as I fought to defend my innocence and expose her deceitful actions.Gasps erupted from the crowd, shock and disbelief painting every face in the room. Elders exchanged bewildered glances, and my uncle's mouth hung open in stunned silence. Only Addy and Aurora nodded in agreement, their faces alight with relief and support. They bowed deeply, showing their allegiance to me and Freya. "She will be punished for her decei
Chapter 111 *Freya* My hands throbbed, tied painfully behind me with rough rope that bit into my skin. The gag in my mouth tasted of sweat and fear, muffling my cries as I struggled against the binds. Clara—sweet, gentle Clara—stood over me, her eyes wild and desperate. How had it come to this??One of my most trusted maids, plotting against me, wanting to kill me?"Freya!" Rafe's voice boomed through the room as he barged in, his eyes widening in horror at the scene before him. I felt a little bit relieved that he was here."Rafe!" My muffled scream was barely audible through the gag, but I could see the shock and confusion flash across his face as he took in the sight of Clara holding a knife, trembling yet resolute."What the hell are you doing!?" His tone was a mix of disbelief and fury. He started towards me, but Clara stepped back, tightening her grip on the knife.I twisted my wrists, trying desperately to free myself, but the knots were too tight, biting deeper into my fle
Chapter 112*Freya*Rafe's face went pale, his eyes widening in shock. He stood silent for a moment, processing the words that had just come out of Clara's mouth. The room seemed to hold its breath with him."Clara, if what you speak is the truth, Then I swear to you, I never authorized such an action," Rafe finally said, his voice heavy with sincerity and incredulity. "I have never given orders to imprison anyone without cause, especially not during the hunt last year. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I promise you, I didn't know.""You're lying!" Clara's voice cracked as she cried silently, the tip of the knife trembling against my skin. "Please, Clara," Rafe continued, stepping forward cautiously, his hands open and empty. "I'll punish my Gamma for what he's done, but you must let Freya go."Tears streamed down Clara's cheeks, mingling with her rage and sorrow. For a split second, the agony in her eyes mirrored the turmoil in my heart, a twisted reflection of pain and injustice.
Chapter 113*Freya*I stood in the grand courtroom, my eyes fixed on Rafe as he commanded the room with his presence. The whispers of the crowd faded into a dull hum as I focused on his every move. He looked every bit the Alpha king, proud and regal, his posture exuding authority and strength. My heart swelled with love for him, and I silently prayed that nothing would come between us again. I took a deep breath and raised my head up to meet his waiting gaze. He was so far away but it felt like he was right in front of me. I didn't want him to do what he was about to do but I knew that he had to. He was the king and it was his responsibility.The heavy wooden doors creaked open, and the murmur of the crowd grew louder. Two guards marched in, dragging Kelly between them. Her hair was disheveled, her usually sharp eyes now downcast and filled with shame. She looked like a shadow of her former self, the weight of her actions pressing down on her shoulders."Bring her forward," Rafe comma
Chapter 114*Freya*As I pulled away from Daniel, a sudden wave of nausea hit me like a storm. My vision blurred, dark spots dancing at the edges. The room tilted, and I clutched my stomach, feeling as though the floor was being pulled out from under me."Freya?" Daniel's voice echoed in my ears, distant and distorted. I tried to focus on his face, but it swayed like a ship in turbulent waters."Alpha Rafe! Come!" I heard him call out, panic threading through his tone."Freya!" Rafe's voice was the last thing I heard, urgent and filled with worry, before everything went black.***When I opened my eyes, the world came back in fragments. The first thing I saw was the doctor leaning over me, his face a mask of concentration. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind.“Freya” A familiar voice, soft and pleading, called out my name. I turned to see Rafe, his usually stoic face now etched with fear, standing next to Addy and a small group of people. Their eyes were all fixed on me, f
Chapter 115*Freya*I sat alone in my chambers, the morning light filtering through the heavy velvet curtains. My mind couldn't help but wander back to the night before with Rafe. A blush crept up my cheeks as I thought about the way he had touched me, held me close, and whispered sweet things in my ear. He had taken me to heights I never thought were reachable, making every nerve in my body sing with pleasure. The memory of his hands on my skin sent a shiver down my spine, and I hugged myself tightly, feeling an overwhelming surge of love for him. Out of all the girls, he chose me. The thought made my heart swell with happiness.But then, Jessica's face flashed across my mind. I bit my lip, wondering how she was faring. Even if she hated me, her wellbeing still mattered to me. After a few moments of deliberation, I decided that I would pay her a visit. Maybe we could mend some fences, or at least reach some understanding.Determined, I crossed over to my wardrobe and selected a simpl
Chapter 116*Freya*"I said Release her, Rafael!" I shouted, my voice cracking with urgency. Rafael's eyes narrowed into slits of pure malice as he glared at me, his lips curling into a snarl. Jessica, wide-eyed and trembling, seemed too shocked to move at first."Freya, you don't know what you're getting yourself into," Rafael growled, his voice low and dangerous."Don't I?" I challenged, stepping closer despite the fear clawing at my insides. "I know you've been blackmailing Jessica. I know everything, and I'm going straight to the Alpha king."The moment my words registered, Jessica broke free from Rafael's grasp, stumbling backward until she collided into me. Her body shook like a leaf in the wind, her fingers gripping my arm with desperate strength. I could feel her terror seeping through her skin, raw and palpable. My heart ached with pity for her, despite everything that had transpired between us."Your days at this palace are over," I declared, meeting Rafael's furious gaze h