23

Twenty three
We started at each other quietly, the air cracking with so much tension that I could taste it. His face stopped just inches off mine. I could feel his minty breath on my face and this filled my belly with way too much excitement than it should have.
Then suddenly, as if we both woke up from our drunken state, we pulled away at the same time. I tried to clear my throat, hoping my disappointment did not show on my face.
The air between us crackled with tension as Rafe’s piercing blue eyes bore into mine, his jaw clenched tight. My breath caught in my throat. He was so close I could feel the heat radiating off his muscular form. Part of me wanted to close the distance between us, to press my lips against his and finally give in to the desire that had been building since the moment we met.
But I couldn’t. Not when the other girls in the palace would gladly take my place. Girls who were vying to be his breeder so they could be his chosen Luna and queen. I didn’t think I was cut out to be his queen. The only reason I was here was because I couldn’t stand being tied to my family. I needed my freedom. Now, I wasn’t so sure that was the only reason I was here. I stepped back from him, giving some space between us.
“Why are you here, Rafe?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Shouldn’t you be with one of your girls? I’m sure they’re all waiting for your attention. Especially Kelly.”
His brow furrowed and he took a step closer, crowding into my space. “You think I want to be with them? When the only one I can think about is you?”
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my ears. “But I am not your type. You don’t even like me. And frankly, I just want to maintain this low profile I have till I am able to leave here–”
“The hell you are.” His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. Electricity zinged through me at his touch. “You must be having another nightmare if you think I’m letting you leave. I need you here Freya. You are the only one who challenges me and doesn’t let me get away with anything.”
I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of desire threatening to overwhelm me. I couldn’t believe He was practically telling me that he wanted me. I wanted him too but I knew that I couldn’t be his queen. I was not a true werewolf. I didn’t have any single gifts the others seemed to have.
“I cannot give you what you need Rafe,” I whispered sadly.
His eyes flashed with something fierce and determined. “Let me be the judge of what I need.” He stepped in front of me and gave me that sweet smile no one could resist. For a moment, I was sure he was going to kiss me, the competition be damned. But with a muttered curse, he abruptly pulled away and strode out of my chambers, leaving me breathless and reeling in his wake.
The moment the door slammed shut behind him, my knees gave out and I sank down onto the edge of my bed. My mind whirled as I replayed what had just transpired between us.
We had almost kissed. Rafe had been a mere breath away from claiming my lips with his own. And I had wanted him to, with every fiber of my being. What was I doing? I was losing myself and my heart equally. I released a shuddering breath.
I pressed a trembling hand to my mouth, still feeling the ghost of his touch. When had things shifted between us? When had the argumentative banter and challenge in his eyes turned to molten heat and irresistible wanting? I couldn’t keep going on like this.
I couldn’t pinpoint the moment I fell for him, but I could no longer deny the truth – I was attracted to him. Deeply and desperately. It went beyond mere physical appeal. I was drawn to his strength, his intelligence, the way he never backed down from a challenge… especially when that challenge was me.
But what did it mean? He was the Alpha, and to other people, I would just be one of many women vying for his attention, his position. Except he had just said I was the only one he wanted. The only one who understood him.
My pulse raced at the memory of his words. Could he truly mean it? Or was it just the heat of the moment driving him?
I flopped back on my bed with a groan, throwing an arm over my eyes. I had come to the palace with the goal of securing my future, not falling for the Alpha himself. But now… now I wasn’t so sure I could avoid it. Rafe had worked his way under my skin and into my heart when I least expected it.
But where did that leave me? Us? I had meant what I said – I wasn’t cut out to be a Luna. Was I?
The questions swirled in my mind with no clear answers. All I knew was that something had irrevocably changed between Rafe and I tonight. And I had a feeling there was no going back from this.
I was so lost in my own thoughts that I almost didn’t hear the faint knock on my door. Who could it be? Connor had told me earlier that he would come and check on me, I assumed it was him behind the door but when I opened the door, it wasn’t Connor I saw.
Jessica Gabriel was standing in front of my door with her face as red as a ripened tomato.
“Um… Hello Jessica?” I began awkwardly. I wondered what she was here for. We’ve hardly spoken five words to each other since I got to the palace.
Jessica smiled softly at me. That had to mean something. “Hi, Freya, I know i haven’t been that nice to you, but I just want to talk to you for a moment. I hope you will not be offended?”
I paused for a moment, studying her. She was too unreadable. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Can.. can I come in?”
“Um.. yes. Sorry for keeping you outside.” I said as I stepped aside, giving her some space to walk in. It was dark outside and I knew that whatever made her come all the way here must be important. I waited for her to enter inside before slowly pushing my door close with a soft thud. I didn’t want anyone else waking up at this ungodly hour.
As I turned to face Jessica, the innocent smile that had been on her face was now fully replaced by hard scowl. At me. Just great.
“Tell me what Alpha Rafe was just doing in your room.” She demanded with a sneer, her eyes turning to dangerous slits. She looked like she was ready to break me into two.
“Really? That’s what you came here to ask me?”
“Just answer the question you peasant!” She screeched. I should have known she wasn’t here to make friends. I didn’t know why I thought it would be different.
“He wanted to talk to me. As I’m sure he does with the rest of you as well. Now can you leave my room?”
We glared at each other menacingly for a moment before she began stalking towards me. “Listen peasant, I will give you this little advice. The Alpha king is mine. He has been mine even before the competition started. I was always his chosen Luna, but they had to create this stupid competition for the sake of being transparent. So this will be my last warning Freya.” She mentioned my name in a way that made me almost hate it. “Stay.. away…from.. Rafe.” She drawled.
I chuckled and shook my head in disbelief at her words. “I think the decision is up to the Alpha himself, Jessica. Maybe you should talk to him instead” I turned to open the door but was stopped by Jessica as she grabbed my arm and pulled me back roughly.
“You’d better be careful, peasant! I know your little secret and I won’t hesitate to expose you to the whole world. Stay away from Rafe. Got it?”
I visibly stiffened. “What little secret?”
“Oh Kelly told me something interesting about you. How is it that the daughter of a werewolf has no wolf even at this age?”
I inhaled sharply, momentarily shocked. She knew I didn’t have my wolf. Oh no.
The anger that surged inside me moved me to walk up to my door and pull it open. I turned to her with a false smile on my face. “I think you have overstayed your welcome, Jessica. Leave my room right now or I will report you to the guards.”
She watched me with an expression I couldn’t decipher for some seconds, then slowly, she stalked towards the door. I held my breath,
Waiting till she stepped outside before releasing it.
“You don’t wanna get on my bad side Peasant girl.” Jessica whispered just as she stepped outside. “Be careful,” That sweet smile was back on her face.
I pushed the door close with a loud bang and slid down till I touched the ground. So it was not just Kelly I had to protect myself from now. I had imagined that I could ignore my step sister but now, it seemed the whole group would be against me before we got to the middle of this.
I placed my hand over my mouth to quiet the sobs that wracked my body unwillingly.
***