11

Eleven
I had not even used up to a week here and I was already getting punishments for no reason. Way to go, Kelly. She was the one that put me in this situation. I doubt I would be able to survive with Kelly constantly trying to sabotage me here at the palace.
I needed to do something fast. I needed to get back at her so she would leave me the fuck alone.
My heart pounded in my chest as I stood before the Alpha Rafe in his chambers. His piercing green eyes bore into me, his muscular frame tense. He had told me to follow him but I had no idea we were going to his room. The whole room was bigger than my house at home. It was like a building on it’s own, I wondered how he didn’t get lost in it.
“Now tell me, why were you sneaking around the palace last night?” he demanded. “You know it’s not safe. And you have been ordered to always stay in your room, haven’t you?”
I stared at him, speechless. He looked really upset. His handsome face dark with a frown directed right at me. I tried to think of a perfectly good excuse to give him, but my head was point blank. I suddenly had a hard time forming the words in my head and putting it to words. Should I tell him the truth? Or should keep quiet and hope he won’t be upset.
“Do you know that it is an offense to keep your Alpha king waiting?” His voice was dangerously low and his eyes had gone from a dull red to a sparkling red. I felt my body start to quiver, fear gripping me so hard that I couldn’t move. I remembered how I had seen him in his wolf form just the night before – so big, so scary, so powerful. I had to do something.. I had to give him an answer or things go from bad to worse in an instance. I raised my head up to face me. He was watching me with a cool demeanor.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Alpha” I said. “I… I woke up feeling very thirsty in the middle of the night and I thought I could just quickly find my way to kitchen and get some water… But then I heard a loud bang and got worried that someone was hurt, so I went to go see what it was.” I dropped my head after the little explanation.
Rafe studied me for a long moment. I held his gaze, willing myself not to look away. Then he heaved a quiet sigh and turned his back to me. I took the moment to release the breath I’d been holding like my life depended on it.
“Am I supposed to believe you were actually not trying to snoop or doing anything shady?”
“What would be the reason for me doing something like that?” I questioned him, feeling my own anger build up in my chest. I was getting fed up with his annoying questions now. His brows shot up in surprise at my response. I clamped my mouth shut as I realized that I had just spoken out of turn to him. How stupid could I be?!
“Freya Hadid…” He mentioned my name. The way he said it made me extremely nervous. There was something about him that made the hairs on my body taut with tension. It bothered me so much that he caused these reactions in me. He was the Alpha king of the crimson pack. “There is something oddly interesting about you. I hope you are truthful with me though, one thing I do not condone is lies.” I nodded, keeping my gaze down.
“It is dangerous at night, especially during the full moon,” he finally said. “Many of the wolves struggle to control their beasts then. A female wolf such as yourself wouldn’t stand a chance. You must never leave your room again after dark, do you understand?”
“Does that mean… I am not going to be punished?”
“Of course not. If I were to punish you, it would be in front of the others.” He replied, a playful smile on his lips.
I nodded. “I understand. Thank you for not punishing me.”
I turned to leave, my heart still pounding. Being so close to Rafe had stirred feelings in me I didn’t understand. As an Alpha werewolf, he was intimidating – all commanding strength and wild power. But he had also shown me kindness. As I reached the door, my foot caught on the edge of a rug. I stumbled with a shocked gasp, pitching forward. My head going straight for the hard floor.
Suddenly, strong arms caught me, pulling me against a muscular chest. Rafe had saved me from cracking my head open on the stone floor. “Oh! I’m so sorry! I…” I looked up into his face, our mouths just inches apart. His penetrating red eyes bored into mine. I couldn’t believe I was this close to Alpha What would it be like if he kissed me? Fear and excitement warred within me. We stayed frozen like that for a long moment, neither of us pulling away.
Ever so slowly he bent his head towards mine. Oh no! He was going to kiss me! I stood frozen, unable to move as I felt our nose touch. His hand was strong and steady on my waist. My hand was on his arm. I could feel the muscles that rippled beneath my fingers. What the fuck was happening??
The door banged open. “Rafe, the southern border-” Connor’s voice broke off abruptly as he took in the scene.
We sprang apart, the charged moment shattered.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Connor said, his gaze flickering between us.
“It’s fine,” Rafe said gruffly. “The girl was just leaving.”
My cheeks burned but Rafe looked unfazed. “We’ll finish this later, For now, go join the others and Freya?” I turned to him. “The next time you’re caught in any kind of trouble, I will see it to it that you are punished.” he said smoothly before brushing past me. His face hard as a rock.
I sagged back against the wall, my nerves jangling. Connor watched me curiously before following his Alpha out. What had almost happened between us? And did I want it to happen again? Confused, I hurried back to my own chambers, my mind spinning.
My cheeks burned as I ducked my head and hurried from the room. The servants standing out side were watching me but I couldn’t care to notice. My heart continued to pound at the memory of being in Rafe’s arms.
I hurried through the hall ways, my cheeks still flushed. As I made my way back to my own chambers, my mind raced over what had just happened.
Rafe had warned me, yes, but he had been surprisingly gentle about it. I knew he was a fierce warrior and leader, yet he had shown me a hint of kindness. And when he caught me in his arms… the feeling of his hard body against mine had awakened something within me.
I touched my fingers to my lips, imagining what it would have been like if he had kissed me. Part of me had wanted him to. But another part was afraid-I was just a human among these powerful wolves after all. Still, I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt. And I had seen the look in Rafe’s eyes too, felt his rapid heartbeat against my back when he held me. Did he desire me as well?
Shaking my head, I tried to clear my thoughts. Nothing could come of this, I told myself firmly. Rafe was the Alpha-strong, commanding, and far above me. Wanting him would only lead to heartache because I knew the other girls wanted him even more than I did.
I had to be more careful from now on. Both around Rafe, and wandering the palace at night. I didn’t want to end up in his arms again, no matter how thrilling it had been.
“Grace?” I called out as soon as I was inside my room.
“Yes, Miss?”
“My dress is ruined at the bottom. I need to change out of this please!” I pleaded, turning back swiftly to show her the part that had ripped. I heard her gasp from behind.
“Oh goodness! we have to get you changed immediately! I’m so sorry about this..”
“No.. It isn’t your fault.. It’s my–”
“I’ll go get the other ma’am, we will fix you up in a second.” Grace said and hurried off.
As they worked on my dress, I made a silent promise to myself that I would never let my guard down around my stepsister. Kelly was heartless and no matter how I wished she would change, it would never happen.
I’m done trying to be her friend and sister.
****