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 against it. My legs gave out and I slid to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest as hot tears spilled down my cheeks.
Sobs tore from my throat, my body shaking with the force of them. I cried until my eyes ached and my nose clogged with pain and fear and helpless rage. How had everything gone so wrong? My secret hung over my head like a guillotine, and now Kelly held the rope.
And Rafe… gods, Rafe. What if he found out the truth about me? The thought of seeing disgust in his eyes shattered my heart. I’d lose him for good, and that hurt worst of all.
Burying my face in my arms, I let the tears flow, drowning in misery and despair. I’d never felt so lost and alone, an outcast in a world where I didn’t belong. And despite all my gifts, I was powerless to do anything about it.
I wiped my eyes, trying to stop the flow of tears. I couldn’t let Kelly win. But deep down, I knew she was right. If my secret got out, I’d be humiliated and sent out of the kingdom. Rafe would never want me then. My heart clenched at the thought of the strong, magnetic Alpha. From the moment I first saw him, I had felt a pull toward him unlike anything I’d ever experienced. But it was all based on a lie.
I stood up and began pacing around my room, my mind racing. I couldn’t stay here any longer, not with Kelly watching my every move, waiting for the opportune moment to strike and destroy me. Her hatred for me ran deep, though I never understood why. We may not share the same blood, but I had always tried to treat her like a true sister. Apparently, that meant nothing to her.
Pausing by the window, I gazed out at the palace ground in the moonlight. I had to get out of here, and soon. Before Kelly made good on her threat. But how? The palace was heavily guarded at all hours. Sneaking out undetected would be nearly impossible. Unless…
I suddenly had an idea. I glanced at the clock – just past 11 pm. In an hour, the guard rotation would change. There would be a brief window where security would be lighter. If I could time it just right, slipping out the side entrance by the gardens, maybe I could make it out.
From there, I could sneak into the woods and run until I put plenty of distance between myself and this place. It was a huge risk. If I got caught, the consequences would be severe. But what choice did I have? Staying meant losing everything anyway when Kelly exposed me.
My heart hammered as I contemplated what I was about to do. Could I really go through with this? Just leave behind the only home and family I’d ever known?
I swallowed hard, steeling my resolve. I had to. It was the only way. Kelly would never stop until she destroyed me.
Taking a deep breath, I began calculating the details of my escape in my mind. I’d need to move fast and stay hidden. One wrong move and it would all be over.
But first, I had to pull myself together. Breaking down now wouldn’t help anything.
I walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. “Get it together, Freya,” I told myself firmly. You can do this. You have to.
Squaring my shoulders, I returned to my bedroom and eyed my belongings, mentally selecting what to bring. I’d need to pack light… Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I wiped away the last of my tears with the back of my hand. No more crying. It was time to take action. I had to be strong now, for my own sake.
Moving with purpose, I grabbed my worn leather bag from the closet and began filling it with only the essentials. A couple changes of practical clothes, a cloak for warmth, the small pouch of cash I’d managed to save up. I paused, my hand hovering over the exquisite gown I’d worn to the last palace ball. The material was rich and smooth beneath my fingertips. But it would be of no use where I was going. Regretfully, I left it behind.
As I packed, my thoughts drifted to the friends I’d made here despite everything. Addy, with her quick wit and infectious laugh. Connor and his quiet, steady support. Even Rafe… but I couldn’t let my mind linger there. Not when I knew none of it had been truly real.
Still, my chest tightened at the thought of leaving them all behind without a word. They deserved an explanation at least. I sank down at the writing desk, pulling a sheet of paper from the drawer. The words poured out of me, the true about me that I’ve been trying to hide for so long.
I continued writing until I’d almost filled the page, ending with an apology and a plea for understanding. Not that it would change anything. But at least they’d know the truth.
Rolling up the paper I placed it in the center of my bed. They’d find it soon enough, once they realized I was missing. By then, I’d be far away, disappearing into the forest like I’d done so many times before back home. Only this time, I wouldn’t be coming back.
Night had fully fallen, everywhere was pitch black, meaning almost everyone had gone to sleep. It was time. Pulling on my cloak, I crept towards my window. My heart raced as I tied one end of a rope to the iron hook I’d installed there ages ago, just in case. With a deep breath and one last look at the life I was leaving behind, I gripped the rope tightly and slipped out into the black night.
*****