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 about it catch up to me, I had somehow been jolted awake. This was the third time I was having this particular nightmare. It felt like there was a reason behind it.
Maybe I could confide in someone about it? Maybe Aurora? I heard her family came from a long line of werewolves who had the power to interpret dreams. Could I possibly try to talk to her? I shook my head vehemently. I was in enough trouble with Kelly as it was. I should not put myself into more troubles by trying to talk to one of my competitors.
I dropped the bottle and curled myself up in my bed. I hoped the dream would not come again. I closed my eyes and tried to calm my racing heart down.
****
“Freya! It is 10am!”
“Ugh.. and so what, Grace?” I huffed in annoyance feeling the covers open up, exposing my semi naked body to the early morning chill. “I hate it when you do that!” I whined like a child who had just lost her lollipop.
“You have the royal games today with the other ladies, Freya. You asked us to wake you up by 10am.” Clara said softly. I opened my eyes and saw Clara and Grace standing in front of me, their uniforms neat and perfect. I had no idea how they managed to do their jobs with so much genuine excitement. They were always so happy to help me things I didn’t need help for. It was so aggravating but I really couldn’t complain. “So please, up you get! so we can get you ready.”
I groaned as I rose from my extremely comfy bed. I wish I didn’t have to leave that bed at all. It was my favorite thing about staying at the palace. At that moment, A knock came at the door. Flo hurried towards the door and opened it, revealing a guard.
“Hello, Miss Freya.. The Alpha king has requested your presence at once.” I froze. The king wanted to see me? What for?
I paced back and forth across my bedchamber, wringing my hands. A nervous energy coursed through me ever since the messenger arrived with word that King Rafe requested my presence before the start of the games. Me, of all the others! I was not his favorite by any stretch. So why summon me?
Grace watched me fret, a grin spreading across her face. “Imagine! A private audience with the King himself! The others would be so jealous!. You must make sure to bat your eyelashes and pout your lips at him.” She demonstrated an exaggerated pose.
I frowned at her. “It’s not like that. He likely just wants to issue a warning, to make sure I don’t embarrass him further.”
At that moment, another knock sounded. My heart leapt into my throat as the guard announced, “My lady, the King awaits.”
This was it. I steeled myself and nodded to Grace before following the guard, my knees weak with each step that brought me closer to King Rafe.
I took a deep breath as I entered the library, my heels clicking on the marble floor. King Rafe sat in an armchair by the fire, a book in hand. He did not look up as I approached.
“My King,” I said with a curtsy, my voice wavering slightly. “You summoned me?”
At last his piercing blue eyes rose to meet mine. I felt a flush creep into my cheeks under his intense gaze. He was even more handsome up close, his chiseled features bathed in firelight.
“Yes,” he said simply, snapping the book shut. “I wished to speak with you before the games start.”
He gestured to the chair opposite him. I sat on the edge delicately, clasping my hands in my lap to still their trembling.
“Okay, what do you wish to speak about?” I asked.
His eyes bored into mine. “I make a point to meet with all the ladies before the games begin. To ensure there are no… misunderstandings.” His voice was smooth yet edged with warning. I swallowed hard. Clearly this was about more than a friendly chat. But I dared not ask for details.
“Of course, King.” I replied demurely.
His gaze remained fixed on me for a long moment. I resisted the urge to squirm under its weight. At last he smiled, though it did not reach his eyes.
“Good. I expect we will have a enjoyable competition.”
He lifted his book, effectively dismissing me. I rose, curtsied once more, and hurried from the room, my heart pounding. Thank goodness that was it. I had been so scared that I was in some sort of trouble even though I knew I did nothing wrong. Why had the king summoned me like that, only to say nothing of consequence?
As I entered my room, I nearly collided with Grace.
“Oh! Sorry, miss!” she squeaked. “I was just changing the sheets.”
I waved her apology away impatiently. “It’s fine, Grace. I just…” I trailed off, unsure what to say.
Grace glanced at me curiously. “Is everything alright, miss? How was your meeting with The Alpha?”
I sighed and sank down onto the bed. “That’s just it. I don’t know.”
I recounted the odd interaction to her. When I finished, she frowned thoughtfully.
“That is strange,” she mused. “But His Majesty is known to be quite mysterious in his ways.”
I nodded. “Yes, but something about his manner unnerved me. I can’t help but feel he wasn’t telling me something.”
A knock at the door startled us both. One of the guards entered. “Lady Freya, The king requests your presence again.”
My stomach dropped. What now? I stood on shaky legs and followed the guard once more to the king’s quarters. When I entered, he was standing at the window, his back to me.
“You wished to see me again, My king?” I asked tentatively.
He turned to me then, His eyes hardened. “It has been brought to my attention that you have a lover beyond the palace walls. One you conspire with to bring harm upon me.”
I gasped, staggering back. “What? No! Who told you such lies?” I cried.
He advanced on me. “Your sister Kelly did. She presented evidence of your treasonous affair. Tell me true, do you deny these claims?” he demanded. He pointed to a picture on the table and I rushed to take a look at it. Behold was a photo of me and Daniel Stonecrow, laughing at something. I could not believe this. How had Kelly gotten a picture of me with my former coworker?? Had she been stalking me?
“This.. this is a misunderstanding my king..”
“Are you sure? Because this looks pretty clear to me.” King Rafe said, his voice deathly quiet. He looked so thunderous at this moment. Fear gripped my insides.
How much more would Kelly try to make my life a living hell?? “I was working at a villa before now and that boy in the picture was my coworker. Nothing more.”
The king searched my face, as if trying to ascertain the truth. “Should I believe your words?”
“Yes!” I cried passionately. “My stepsister clearly lied against me. I have no lover and I certainly can’t dream of harming you.”
The king stepped closer, his eyes boring into mine. “And if I were to have you followed, have your correspondence read, I would find no evidence of this supposed affair or plot?”
I lifted my chin. “You would not. I am innocent in this.”
He grabbed my arms suddenly, pulling me against him. I gasped at our closeness, my heart hammering. We gazed at each other for a taut moment, neither speaking.
“There is something about you.. Freya Hadid and I will find out. sooner or later.”
I raised my chin up in defiance at him. I refused to let him rattle me over silly lies by my useless stepsister. The king searched my face once more, then released me. “Very well,” he said finally. “You can leave, but know that I will be watching you closely.”
I curtsied deeply. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I pray the truth will come to light.”
He waved his hand in dismissal. I hurried from the room, my head spinning. What had I done to make Kelly despise me so much? And what did the king truly believe?
****