69

Sixty nine

*Freya*

Connor and I stood at the far end of the hall, far away from Rafe but it felt like he was close by. I tried not to look in his direction. Tried not to feel his eyes on me because I didn't want him to know I was thinking about him. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of letting him know how much he affected me.

But it was too late; our eyes locked, Rafe's piercing gaze holding mine in a vice grip. As he approached us, The air crackled between us, charged with an energy that spoke of unspoken words and unfinished business. The tension was a living thing, stretching, reaching, wrapping around us both, binding us in silent acknowledgment of what simmered beneath the surface.

With every ounce of willpower I possessed, I broke the connection first, tearing my eyes away as I dipped into a curtsey. "Alpha Rafe," I said, my voice betraying none of the chaos that whirled within me.

As I straightened up, the moment broke like ice underfoot, and I steadied myself ag