Twelve My head was banging hard as I woke up in the middle of the night. I could feel my heart constrict from the force of the nightmare I had just woken up from. My breaths came out in short pants and I could stop the racing in my chest. I turned to look around my dark room to be certain that I was all alone before I busted into nerve-wrecking sobs. My mind trailed over the things I had endured in my father's house. Everyday, I found myself wondering why my father stopped loving me after my mom passed away. Was it because he was so heartbroken by her death that I reminded him of his late wife? Or was it just because he had never truly loved neither me nor mom? I turned to pick up the water on my table, downing it all in one long gulp. My mind went back to the nightmare I had. I was being chased by a lady in a long white gown who had no face. I remembered the terrifying fear that had gripped me as I tried to run from her. It had happened in a dark forest and right when she was
Thirteen The games had begun. The royal court garden was filled up with beautiful women and men who were here to watch the game. My mind was completely absent though. All I could think of was I hated Kelly for always wanting to put me in trouble with the Alpha king. There was no way I would survive staying here with Kelly tirelessly trying to bring me down. I needed to find a way for her to leave the competition completely. That was the only way I could ensure my freedom from my evil family members. "Freya! The king and the prince of Welis are starting the game now. They're playing charades. Don't you wish to join?" Addy came up beside me where I was seated at the back. She weaved her hand through my shoulders in an attempt to drag me up. I slouched. "Not really, Addy. I do not feel all that well. I thought I'd let myself rest a bit before joining the games. Are the other ladies at the front as well?" “Yes they are. You good though?” She had a worried look on her face.
FOURTEEN "I." Pause "Said." Pause "What the fuck is going on here?" His voice was deathly quiet. He slowly walked in, his eyes still focused on Connor. "My king..I.." My voice wavered. I felt Connor's hand on my shoulder. "It's okay. Freya was just distraught and I offered her a shoulder to cry on" "Who said you could offer any one of my candidates a shoulder to cry on?" I stepped back now, allowing the both of them to face each other. They both looked angry but the look on Rafe's face could burn up an entire kingdom. Why was he so angry? It's not like I was special to him. "Oh come on, Rafe, I wouldn't have had to offer that shoulder if you were treating your guests well. You know that!" Conner snapped at Rafe. He turned to me, his expression soft. "Can you excuse us Freya? Thank you" I nodded without another word and hurried out of the dark library, making my way back to the gardens. I needed to clear my head from all this. I needed time away from this damned palace
Fifteen "For the last time, let me make this clear to you Kelly. I want nothing to do with the Alpha or his choosing. Stay away from me, and leave me in peace" "The only way I will leave you alone is if you leave him alone. Understood?" Kelly said, her eyes shone with so much hatred at me I wondered if she would kill me if she had the chance. I knew the answer to that deep down. I sighed in defeat. There was no way I could make Kelly leave me alone. I just needed to avoid her for my own safety and hope she wouldn't cause more trouble for me. "I've had enough. Take care," I turned to leave her. "Alright, go be his slut if you must" I stopped on my tracks. Had she just called me a slut? "What did you call me?" I turned back to her. "Oh aren't you his worthless slut? I bet you open your legs for him and even beg him to let suck his--" That was the last straw. I didn't let her finish the sentence. The crack of my hand meeting her cheek echoed through the hall.Kelly scream
Sixteen My mouth was wide open in shock at what Rafe had just said. Had he just asked them to release me? He didn't want me punished? The guards quickly stepped away from me. The confusion on their faces was evident. If the situation wasn't so tense, I would have laughed and childishly stuck my tongue out at them. But right now, all I could think of was how I was in trouble. The Alpha was known for his ruthlessness if you crossed him. I knew without a doubt that I was in trouble. "Follow me." Rafe said, his voice hard as kryptonite. My heart pounded in my chest like a drum, the beat matching the hollow thud of my footsteps as I followed Rafe through the corridors of the palace. I wanted to ask where he was taking me but the fear that gripped me was too heavy for me to confront him. Thankfully, Kelly and the other girls were not in sight. Maybe they had been ask to return to their rooms after the whole thing had happened. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel it coil
Seventeen I couldn't get my mind off it. The kiss. His scent. His hands holding me so tightly that I felt branded by his touch. How we had fit perfectly together. I took in a shaky breath. My hands were still vibrating and I couldn't stop it. Why had I allowed him to kiss me like that? Why? Now I couldn't get him off my mind. And I was stuck in my room, alone. God this was so frustrating! Shortly after Rafe had ordered me to leave his room, Aramatha had knocked on my door and announced to me that as punishment of breaking the portrait, I was grounded in my room for four days, during which I would not be allowed to join the programs, see or talk to the other ladies, go close to the alpha. The only people I was allowed to see were my maids, and it had to be briefly. I sighed, getting up from my bed and walking towards the balcony that adjourned my room. My room was facing the backyard of the castle so there was nothing for me to see here. Except for the cool fresh air. It was dar
Eighteen*Rafe* My thoughts were on her. Freya Hadid. It was now an obsession. One I could not possibly get rid of no matter how hard I tried. Every breath I took in reminded me too much of her. Her scent of vanilla and lilies, Pulling me in and dousing me like a personal brand of heroin. I couldn't get the kiss with Freya out of my mind. The softness of her lips, the intoxicating scent of her hair, the electric touch of her skin against mine. I had been trying to avoid her, but something ignited between us tonight. A fiery passion I can no longer ignore. I replayed the moment over and over. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, compelling me to go to her, to claim what is mine. But I didn't know if she even wanted me back. She was a very hard person to read and that intrigued and frustrated me. It had taken all the willpower I had in me to not pull her into my bed and ravish her like my wolf wanted to. I could still feel the beast within me, purring and yearning for her
Nineteen *Freya*I wished Connor hadn't left. As soon as he walked out of my room, the feeling of depression came rushing back. Even though he had promised to come back and check on me tomorrow, I couldn't shake the overwhelming loneliness that consumed me like a bucket of cold water. As I was about to lie down, I removed my gown with a gentle tug. Suddenly, the door of my room swung open with such force that it made me scream in terror. Before I could make sense of what was happening, I was roughly pulled out of my bed and shoved to the wall with such a force that I felt the breath knock out of my lungs. "Let me fucking go you animal!" I screamed, feeling impossible anger rise up within me. "You have 10 seconds to confess to me. What are you doing with Connor? What is between you and him!"As his breath brushed against my ear, I felt chills run down my spine and goosebumps rise on my skin. The instant he pulled me out of bed, I knew it was him. Only he had the audacity to enter
(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
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
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 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 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
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 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 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 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.