Thirty Two
*Freya*
“Ouch!” I silently winced as the rough fibers of the rope bit into my palms as I slowly lowered myself down the stone wall, my feet scrambling to steady themselves. The cool night air raised goosebumps on my skin and sent shivers down my spine. Or maybe that was just the adrenaline and fear coursing through my veins.
At last my boots touched the damp grass at the base of the wall. I paused for a moment, listening intently for any signs that I’d been spotted. But the only sounds were the chirping of crickets and the distant hoots of an owl. The coast was clear.
Keeping to the shadows, I darted across the moonlit lawn, my pack bouncing against my back with each step. The outer wall loomed ahead of me, an imposing barrier between me and freedom. But I’d scaled it before, and I would again.
Reaching the base of the wall, I slung my rope up and over, securing it on a sturdy branch jutting out from the top. With a grunt of effort, I heaved myself up, my muscles straining as I climbed hand over hand. Sweat trickled down my brow and into my eyes, making them sting. But I blinked it away, never breaking my focus.
At last I reached the top and hauled myself over, dropping down on the other side with a soft thud. I landed in a crouch, my heart hammering against my ribs. I’d done it. I was out.
But I couldn’t stop to catch my breath. They’d discover my absence soon, and then the hunt would be on. I would be arrested for trying to leave under false pretenses if I was caught. I had to put as much distance as possible between myself and the palace before then.
Rising to my feet, I turned to face the dark tangled woods stretching out before me. Inhaling deeply, I caught the loamy scent of earth and leaves, overlaid with the muskiness of wild creatures. Out there, no one would know who I really was. Out there, I could be free.
Without a backwards glance, I ran into the shadows of the forest, letting the ancient trees fold around me and swallow me whole as I ran deeper and deeper into the unknown. I was in it now. There was no going back.
****
*Rafe*
I sat at my desk, staring out the window lost in thought. My mind kept drifting back to the kiss I had shared with Freya earlier. The soft touch of her lips, the intoxicating scent of her hair. How I had wanted to taste every inch of her so bad. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Freya had the ability to drive me crazy without trying.
A sharp rap on the door startled me out of my reverie. “Come in,” I called out irritatedly.
A guard stepped inside and bowed. “Apologies for the interruption, Alpha. Kelly Hadid is requesting an audience with you. She says it’s urgent.”
I frowned. What could Kelly possibly want? Of all girls here, she interested me the least. Always preening and boasting of her family’s status and making Freya look like an outsider. I had no patience for such vanity.
After a long pause, I finally gave a curt nod. “Very well. Send her in.”
The guard bowed again and departed. A moment later, Kelly walked into the room, sinking into a deep curtsy before me. “Alpha Rafe, thank you for seeing me,” she said softly.
I merely glared at her coldly, not returning her greeting. An uncomfortable silence stretched between us before I finally spoke. “You have 30 seconds. What do you want?”
Kelly’s smile faltered at my icy tone. She fidgeted nervously with her skirts. “Well, Alpha, it’s about my stepsister Freya. There’s something you should know…”
Her voice trailed off as I continued to glower at her expectantly.
“20 seconds,” I growled. “Get on with it or get out.”
Kelly swallowed hard, summoning her courage. She took a deep breath and blurted out: “Freya’s not who she claims to be! She’s been deceiving you!”
My heart jolted at Kelly’s outburst. I narrowed my eyes. “Explain yourself. Now.”
Kelly gulped. “Freya… she’s not a true werewolf, Alpha. She entered this competition under false pretenses, knowing she could never truly give you werewolf children. It’s all been a lie.”
Shock rippled through my body at her accusation. That couldn’t be true. Freya was the kindest, most genuine women I’d ever met. Something about her sweet nature and compassion had captivated me from the start.
I sat in stunned silence for a long moment, my mind reeling. If this was true, Why would Freya keep something like this from me? After all the moments we’d shared, I thought she would trust me a little. But then again she had always seemed like she had secrets.
Anger and hurt battled within my chest. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. I needed answers – I had to speak to Freya directly. Hear the truth from her own lips.
Masking my inner turmoil, I turned my steely gaze back on Kelly. “And why are you telling me this now? If she’s truly your sister, I’d expect you to keep her secret. What’s in it for you?”
Kelly paled, stammering for a response. “I… I wanted to before, but… Freya threatened me! She said she’d kill me if I exposed to you! Please, you have to believe me…”
I scoffed in disgust. Did she really expect me to buy such a flimsy lie? The Freya I knew would never threaten anyone, let alone her own family.
Kelly was clearly trying to eliminate her competition, even if it meant betraying her own sister. I saw her now for the manipulative opportunist she was.
Abruptly, I stood, towering over Kelly’s cowering form. “We’re done here,” I snarled. “Get out of my sight. I’ll deal with you later.”
As Kelly scurried away, I began pacing the room like a caged animal, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and hurt.
I had to confront Freya immediately. One way or another, I would have the truth from her. No matter how painful it might be to hear…
I burst into the hallway, my boots pounding against the marble floors as I stormed towards Freya’s chambers. Servants scurried out of my path, sensing the dark fury radiating from my every pore.
Yet beneath the anger, my heart clenched with a pain I’d never known. Had everything between us been a lie? A mere ploy for Freya to win the competition through deception? Had I fallen for her schemes?
I couldn’t believe that. Wouldn’t believe it. Not until I heard the truth from her own lips.
Reaching Freya’s door, I raised my fist to pound against the wood, but hesitated. Doubt gnawed at my gut. What if Kelly was right? Gritting my teeth, I shook off the poisonous whispers.
I rapped my knuckles against the door, struggling to keep my voice level. “Freya? It’s Rafe. I need to speak with you. Now.”
Silence. Not a sound from within.
My brow furrowed. “Freya? Open up. It’s important.”
Again, no response. A chill went down my spine. Something wasn’t right.
Acting on instinct, I tried the knob. The door swung open, unlocked.
I stepped inside, my senses on high alert. “Freya? Are you in here?”
But even as I spoke, the truth hit me like a punch to the gut. The room was empty. The bed was made, untouched. Freya’s scent, usually so vibrant, was faded. Stale.
She was gone.
****