Fifty seven
*Freya*
We stared at each other in front of the whole crowd present at the court, but it felt like we were the only ones there. It was hard to believe that Rafe was daring to do what he had promised to do. On one hand, I wanted him to make me his publicly, on the other hand, I was afraid of what that meant for me. I didn’t want to be a target for the other ladies and I was scared of losing my only female friend, Addy.
My mind blanked as I felt Rafe’s thumb touch my chin. I looked at him. He held me close to him as if he would never let me go.
“Do you trust me, wildcat?” He repeated, a mischievous smile on his charming face.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I trust you.”
His grip on my waist tightened infinitesimally. “Then let me show everyone here how much you mean to me. Will you let me do that?” I stared at him for a moment, wondering what he wanted to do right now. Then I nodded softly.
A hush fell over the entire court as Rafe lifted my hand to his lips, his eyes never leaving mine as he pressed a lingering kiss to my knuckles. I felt the intimate brush of his mouth like a brand, searing into my very bones. Whispers rustled through the crowd but I was deaf to them, my entire being focused on the man in front of me.
Rafe turned to address the assembled nobles, tucking my hand into the crook of his elbow in a gesture both possessive and protective. “Lords and ladies of the court, I have an announcement to make,” he declared, his deep voice carrying to every corner. “As you all know, I have spent time with each of the five ladies vying for the position of Luna. And I am expected to choose a favorite after a few weeks. I have made my choice.”
His gaze cut to me, smoldering with barely restrained emotion. My breath caught in my throat. Surely he didn’t mean to… Not here, not now…
“Out of all the five respectable candidates, the one who has captured my heart like no other, is the Lady Freya.” Rafe’s words echoed in the stunned silence. “She is the one I name as my favorite, and if it goes smoothly, she is the one I intend to make my Luna and Queen.”
I gasped in shock. Had Rafe just announced that he wanted me to be his queen and Luna? Or had I just imagined this? He nodded at me, as if hearing my thoughts. Pandemonium erupted in the court room, exclamations of shock and disbelief rising in a cacophonous wave. But I was frozen, scarcely able to comprehend the magnitude of what Rafe had just declared. His favorite. He had chosen me above all the others. He had done this publicly. I wanted to jump into his arms and kissing him with every intensity burning through my body. The fact that he had kept his promise made me dizzy with excitement. A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have wanted any of this.
But now that I had feelings for Rafe, it felt like a dream come true. The only challenge I had was my other competitors. I already had two enemies, who knew how many more i would have?
I hardly dared to look at the other ladies, but I couldn’t stop myself from seeking out my stepsister. Kelly’s face was twisted with pure, venomous rage, her eyes spitting green fire as they bored into me. If looks could kill, I’d be a smoldering pile of ash on the marble floor.
Jessica looked ready to fly at me, her nails curled into claws, but Addy stepped subtly between us, blocking her path. My friend shot me a quick wink, her eyes sparkling with joy and fierce pride. With her support around me, I turned back to Rafe, ready to face whatever came next by his side.
Rafe’s deep, commanding voice filled the cavernous hall as he continued his speech. “In recognition of her inestimable worth and the great esteem in which I hold her, from this day forward, Freya shall be granted the title and position of aristocrat. You will henceforth address her as Lady Freya, and give her all the respect such a high rank demands.”
Joy surged through me until I felt I might lift off the floor and float away. Me, an aristocrat? With a title of my own? It was more than I had ever dared dream. The crowd broke into applause, and I couldn’t hold back the wide, joyous grin that split my face as I sank into a deep, graceful curtsy.
As I straightened, I met Rafe’s molten gaze, my own shining with gratitude. “My king, I am honored beyond words. Thank you so much for this incredible gift. I promise to be worthy of the trust and regard you’ve shown me.”
I was about to step back, to return to my seat, but as quick as a striking snake, Rafe’s hand shot out and seized my wrist. He tugged sharply and I stumbled forward, colliding with the hard, muscled plane of his chest. What was he doing? He wouldn’t– My startled gasp was swallowed by his mouth as he claimed my lips in a searing, possessive kiss. The world fell away until there was only the drugging slide of his mouth on mine, the heat of his body searing me through the layers of our clothes. I heard the shocked gasps and whispers of everyone in the court room but I hardly cared. All that existed in this moment was Rafe.
After a few moments that felt like blissful eternity, Rafe drew back. His eyes locked on mine, dark and intent, sending a shiver down my spine. Leaning close, he spoke for my ears alone.
“You’re mine now, Freya. In the eyes of the court and the kingdom. And tonight, I’ll make you mine in every pleasurable way possible.”
With that promise ringing in my ears, he released me. Legs shaking, heart racing, I managed a wobbly curtsy and made my way back to my seat on unsteady feet. As I sank down, still reeling, Addy reached over and squeezed my hand, a secret, excited smile playing about her lips.
But across the aisle, Kelly looked fit to chew nails, her hands clenched bloodless in her lap. I had no doubt she was already plotting her revenge. I just prayed that with Rafe’s protection, she would no longer have the power to hurt me.
As the court meeting drew to a close, I stood up and turned to leave the room without looking for Rafe. I hadn’t gotten far when I felt an arm pull me backwards roughly.
I turned to see my stepsister glaring at me with no hidden contempt.
“Hey. Kelly..” I managed awkwardly.
“How dare you,” she seethed, her voice dripping with venom. “You conniving little chit. He was supposed to be mine! You must have bewitched him, cast some spell to make him want a pathetic wretch like you.”
Despite the viciousness of her words, I refused to cower, lifting my chin and meeting her glare head on. “I’ve done nothing of the sort,” I said clearly. “The Alpha king made his choice of his own free will. I’m sorry if that displeases you, but I won’t apologize for how he feels.”
“Why you…” she sneered. Her face bore so much hatred for me. “I promise you this Freya, I will find out whatever you are hiding. Whatever you did to bewitch the king, I will find it out and expose you!”
It was a threat. Kelly was threatening me all over again. I had allowed her the liberty of doing so other times but this time, I refused to allow it.
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