Chapter 117*Freya* The crimson pack is cursed. His words still hung tightly in the air. The shock was evident in people’s faces. I was shocked as well, but there had to be a reason for this. "Listen to me, all of you!" Rafael's grip tightened around my neck, the knife cold against my skin. His voice rang out with a sinister authority that sent shivers down my spine. "The only way to break this curse is for me to become your Alpha King. Then, and only then, can we all find our true mates and live in peace and harmony."The room was thick with silence, every eye flicking between Rafael, Rafe, and me. The confusion on their faces mirrored the turmoil in my heart. Rafe's jaw was set, but his eyes betrayed the uncertainty gnawing at him.I stared at Rafe expectantly, waiting for him to say something. After what seemed like forever, Rafe finally raised his head up and tuned to everyone facing him."Do you want Rafael Kingston," Rafe's voice broke through the tension, each word measured a
Chapter 118*Freya*I opened my eyes, but all I could see was an abyss stretching endlessly before me. I felt weightless, drifting further and further into the void until a sinking realization hit me—I was dead. The last memory seared into my mind was of Rafe's anguished face as he cradled me, his hands pressing against the wound at my neck, trying to stop the life from flowing out of me. I had died in his arms, leaving behind the love of my life. The thought of Rafe alone, broken by grief, pierced my heart more painfully than the blade ever did. I hoped, desperately, that he would find the strength to move on without me.As I continued to drift, an unseen force suddenly stopped my movement. Panic surged through me as I tried to push forward, but it was as if invisible hands were holding me back. Then, I felt it—a soothing presence, warm and calming, wrapping around me like a gentle embrace. I turned, and there she was. My mother stood before me, radiating a light so pure, it seemed t
Chapter 119*Freya*"Rafe..." I managed to whisper, my throat dry and raw. The sound was faint, but it sliced through the oppressive silence like a knife.He looked up slowly, almost as if he couldn't dare to hope. His eyes were red-rimmed, his face a mask of anguish. The moment our gazes locked, something inside him seemed to snap."Freya?" His voice cracked. He stared at me, disbelief mingling with desperate hope. "Yes," I confirmed, my weak smile growing stronger under his intense scrutiny. "I'm here.""She's alive! She's alive!" Rafe's scream echoed off the walls, a sound filled with pure, unadulterated joy. He leapt to his feet and pulled me into a bear hug, his strong arms wrapping around me so tightly that I could barely breathe—but I didn't care. I was home."Thank you, goddess," he murmured fervently against my hair, tears soaking the strands. "Thank you for bringing her back to me."Before I could respond, the door burst open. Addy, Aurora, Connor, and even Jessica—who rare
(Epilogue)*Freya*I gazed down at my beautiful baby boy, Adonis Jackson, as he slept peacefully in his little cot. His tiny chest rose and fell with each breath, and his delicate eyelashes cast shadows on his rosy cheeks. My heart swelled with an overwhelming love that seemed almost too much to contain. Little Adonis was more than just our son; he was the living, breathing symbol of the love Rafe and I shared. Our love had been powerful enough to shatter a hundred-year-old curse, freeing the Crimson Pack from mystery and hatred.As I watched him, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. The Crimson Kingdom had known nothing but peace since Rafe made me his Luna. The people adored their baby prince, showering him with so many gifts that every corner of our home was filled with tokens of their affection. Soft blankets, carved wooden toys, and tiny garments embroidered with symbols of protection surrounded us.A smile tugged at my lips as I thought about my friends. Addy, my dearest
1The road to my house was utterly deserted, windows shuttered tight against the wall. Everything was so quiet except for the drumming of the rain and the squelch of my boots in the mud. I held my bags close to my chest and quickened my pace, my heart thudding painfully. Home wasn't far off. Just a few more blocks and I'd be safe inside, windows closed and doors bolted... A sudden rustling sounded behind me, barely audible over the downpour. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Slowly, I forced myself to turn around and stare into the darkness. Nothing. Just the deserted road glistening wetly in the lamplight. "Get a grip, Freya," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. "It's just your imagination playing tricks." But as I faced forward again to resume walking, I couldn't shake the prickling sensation on the back of my neck, the uncanny feeling of being watched. Of no longer being alone out here in the dark and the rain. Swallowing hard, I broke into a run, my bags banging against
TWOThe front door creaked open, announcing my arrival home. My heart sank when I saw Kelly at the bottom of the stairs, wearing a dress that wasn't hers. That dress was mine. More than that, it was a piece of my soul, the only memory I had of my mother before she died. I can still clearly recall the time when my mother fell ill. It all happened so quickly, and I was too young to understand what was happening. My father didn't seem to care much, and whenever I asked my mom about it, she would brush it off and tell me not to dwell on it. She insisted that everything was fine, but deep down, I knew it wasn't.As I looked at Kelly, my anger surged. She had altered the dress in ways that completely changed its style. It had been a long gown before, but now there were cuts and additions that made it almost unrecognizable. My blood boiled as I realized that she had ruined something important to me."Kelly," I said, my voice trembling with emotion, "that's my dress. You have no right to be w
THREEThe zipper of my duffel bag whined as I dragged it across the teeth, securing the sparse contents of what I could call mine. My hands shuffled through the drawer one last time, searching for a cloth that didn't scream neglect or poverty—a task akin to finding a diamond in a coal mine. All I found were tattered jeans and faded shirts, each holding the scent of despair like a stubborn stain. I let out a frustrated sigh.I pulled out a simple, worn dress that had once been blue but now bore the uncertain hue of the twilight sky, dulled by too many washes. It was the best among the worst, and with shaking fingers, I folded it into a neat square, laying it atop the pile of clothes. My heart hammered against my ribs, each beat an echo of the fear swirling in my chest. The decision to leave was a wild beast pacing within me, its presence terrifying yet somehow empowering. I would face the auditions to be one of the Alpha king's breeders, a thought that sent shivers down my spine, not
FOUR "Hey miss.. miss?" The continuous tap on my shoulder pulled me out of my short nap. I opened my eyes slowly with a yawn. My body felt so tired and I knew I needed more sleep. "Miss, you are at the palace road. You should get down before the train takes off" My eyes shot open at the mention of Train. "Oh! We are here? Oh!" I hastily pulled my bag from under me and bolted out of the train in excitement. I stood in front of the Crimson palace. My breath caught in my throat at the beautiful sight before me. The palace stood tall and so huge, white marble gleaming in the sunlight. I'd never seen anything like it before. I couldn't help but stare at the beauty. As I made my way towards the palace gates, I noticed that I wasn't the only one here. Women from all over the kingdom have also come to audition to be the alpha king's breeder. everyone was talking excitedly amongst themselves as we all waited for the gates to open. I could hear whispers filling the courtyard as we waited t