Twenty Eight*Rafe*I gazed down at Freya's sleeping form, her dark lashes fluttering against porcelain cheeks flushed with the soft pink of slumber. Silky strands of brown hair fanned out across the pillow, framing her delicate features - full rosebud lips, an elegant slope of nose. She looked so innocent, so ethereally beautiful in repose. Like an angel gracing my chambers. I couldn't deny that her beauty was one of the things that attracted to her. My fists clenched at my sides as I recalled the shock and blinding rage that consumed me when the guard had delivered the devastating news mere hours ago. Freya had been shot by an assassin's poisoned bullet during the grand ball. I saw red. I saw nothing but vengeance.The moment I found Connor, I had slammed him against the wall, my forearm pinning his throat. "You were supposed to protect her!" I snarled, baring my canines. "She could have died on your watch!"Connor sputtered and blanched but I was beyond reason, beyond mercy.
Twenty nine *Rafe*I was busy examining the budget reports for the palace repairs and renovations when the doors to my office flew open with a bang. Freya stormed in, her face flushed with rage. My eyes widened in shock as I noticed the way she held her side where the bullet had pierced her flesh just hours ago."What the hell are you doing?" I demanded, leaping up from my chair. The papers scattered as my hands slammed on the desk. "You're supposed to be resting!"She opened her mouth to retort but swayed unsteadily on her feet. fuck! In two long strides I was at her side, scooping her up into my arms before she could crumple to the floor. Her warm breath tickled my neck as I carried her to my desk and set her down gently on the polished mahogany surface. I planted my hands on either side of her hips, caging her in. She glowered up at me defiantly even as she struggled to catch her breath, no doubt from the exertion of marching down here while still recovering. The urge to shake so
Thirty*Freya* I pulled away from Rafe abruptly as the door swung open, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Rafe's uncle stood in the doorway, his eyebrows raised in surprise as he took in the scene before him. "I hope I am not interrupting anything?" he asked, his tone a mix of confusion and disapproval. He glared at me. My mind raced for an excuse, anything to explain why I had just been kissing the alpha king in his office. "I...I was just here to ask Rafe some questions. About the competition," I stammered out lamely. Rafe let out a low chuckle beside me and I shot him an irritated glare. He was clearly enjoying my discomfort far too much. Rafael frowned, unconvinced. "I see. Well, perhaps it's best if you direct any further questions to the competition committee from now on," he said coolly. "To avoid any...inappropriate appearances." My face flushed even hotter at the implication in his words. I nodded quickly. "Of course. It won't happen again." As Rafael left,
Thirty one*Freya*I was done trying to be a good girl to my step-sister. If she wanted to be bitchy, I would be even more bitchy. Kelly's face contorted with fury, eyes flashing amber. "How dare you, you little--" She lashed out, her hand coming towards my face. But I was faster. I caught her wrist in an iron grip inches from my cheek, my own eyes glowing dark. We stood locked together, trembling with rage, a snarl rumbling in Kelly's throat. For a tense moment I thought she might shift and attack. But slowly, I shoved her hand away."Don't ever try that again," I growled. "Or I'll show you what this fake werewolf can do."Shaking with anger and adrenaline, I spun on my heel and stormed off down the hall. Kelly shouted something after me, ugly and vicious, but I didn't hear it over the pounding of my heart. I knew she was on her way to yell my secret to every living soul.I didn't stop until I reached my room. Slamming the door, I locked it with fumbling hands before slumping back
Thirty Two *Freya* "Ouch!" I silently winced as the rough fibers of the rope bit into my palms as I slowly lowered myself down the stone wall, my feet scrambling to steady themselves. The cool night air raised goosebumps on my skin and sent shivers down my spine. Or maybe that was just the adrenaline and fear coursing through my veins. At last my boots touched the damp grass at the base of the wall. I paused for a moment, listening intently for any signs that I'd been spotted. But the only sounds were the chirping of crickets and the distant hoots of an owl. The coast was clear.Keeping to the shadows, I darted across the moonlit lawn, my pack bouncing against my back with each step. The outer wall loomed ahead of me, an imposing barrier between me and freedom. But I'd scaled it before, and I would again. Reaching the base of the wall, I slung my rope up and over, securing it on a sturdy branch jutting out from the top. With a grunt of effort, I heaved myself up, my muscles st
Thirty three*Rafe*My knees buckled as realization crashed over me. Kelly had been right. Freya had fled, knowing her secret was out. Pain lanced through my chest, sharper than any blade. She'd left without a word. Without giving me a chance to understand. To forgive. because I knew without a doubt that even if Kelly had claimed Freya was the devil herself, it still wouldn't have kept me away from her. In that moment, I knew the truth. The inescapable, terrifying truth.I was falling for Freya Hadid. I didn't know if it was love or something else, I just knew she had me wrapped around her toes. My heart felt like it was being squeezed in an iron grip as I stared at the empty room, the realization of Freya's absence sinking in like a lead weight. The air felt stiff, suffocating me with the tang of betrayal and heartache. I stumbled to the open window, my hands gripping the iron until my knuckles turned white. The curtains moved in the evening breeze, mocking me with their gentle da
Thirty four *Freya*I was so certain I was doing the right thing when I decided to leave Rafe and the palace, but now that I was lost in the forest, the wind and tree wigs snapping at my skin so harshly, I was rethinking my decision. It was so dark that I could barely make out a thing. I was completely lost and it felt like it would rain anytime soon. It seemed like even the world was against me at this point. I ran breathlessly through the forest, my heart pounding in my chest. The trees towered above me, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands ready to ensnare me in their grasp. Though it was daytime, the dark forest blocked out most of the sunlight, shrouding everything in an oppressive gloom. Shadows danced at the edges of my vision. I could barely see where I was going.Sticks cracked under my feet as I sprinted blindly forward. I had no idea where I was, no sense of direction in this huge wilderness. What was I thinking, running into the woods all alone? Away from t
Thirty Five *Freya*I was still running as fast as I could. I could hear the growls of the monsters behind me but I could not take a moment to stop. I needed to get out of this forest as soon as possible before I got eaten. The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly, the ancient trees creating a maze of shadows that danced in the fading light. I could feel the roots and rocks beneath my feet, threatening to trip me up at any moment. The growls of the monsters behind me echoed through the fog, their hot breath on my neck pushing me forward. As I pushed myself harder, my heart pounding in my chest, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the trees, sending a cascade of leaves swirling around me. It was as if the forest itself was trying to hinder my escape, each leaf was an obstacle in my path. I stumbled over a root, pain shooting up through my leg as I fell to the ground.Gasping for breath, I tried to push myself up, but my ankle throbbed with each movement. The monsters were getti