Sixty six
*Freya*
“How are you feeling?” His voice reverberated in my mind. Even though he was standing right in front of me, it felt like we were miles apart. Memories of him with Kelly suddenly flooded my mind, igniting a surge of anger within me.
Rafe wasn’t fully mine yet. He was the Alpha king and had plenty of women vying for his attention. So why did I always feel so possessive and jealous when I saw him with other women? How did he bring out this side of me?
I ignored his question and turned to Addy, who was by my side watching our exchange.
“Addy, how long have I been unconscious?”
“This is the third day, Freya. The doctor said it could take more than a week, but luckily you’re awake! I can’t even describe how relieved I am. I was so scared…” her voice trailed off before she could let out a sob.
“It’s okay, Addy. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.” I replied softly, trying to comfort her. She came closer and embraced me tightly. We stood there for a moment, forgetting that someone else was watching us.
“If you’re finished with your reunion, may I ask that you excuse Freya and me?” Rafe interjected, ending our hug. Addy nodded tightly and without another word, she walked out of the room, leaving me alone with the big bad wolf. Even though he was at the far end of the room, I couldn’t shake off how he made me feel. It should be sinful the way he made me feel without even trying.
I turned stared out over the balcony, my hands gripping the stone railing until my knuckles turned white. The rushing wind tousled my dark hair across my tear-streaked face. I still couldn’t process it – my own stepsister had pushed me from the highest tower, sending me down toward certain death on the jagged rocks below. She had clearly meant to kill me. If not for Rafe’s strong arms snatching me from the air at the last moment, I’d be nothing more than a broken corpse.
Why did she hate me so deeply, so venomously? What had I ever done to deserve her murderous rage? The questions swirled in my mind, there were no answers, only a throbbing ache in my chest.
The stomp of his heavy boots made me remember he was still here with me. Alone. Rafe. I could feel the heat of his presence behind me but I refused to turn, to look at his handsome yet infuriating face. The image of him entangled with Kelly, her body straddling him sensually still seared my vision. I’d been a fool to trust him, to start falling for his charm and intensity. Never again.
“Freya…” His deep voice rolled over me, laced with concern. “Are you alright? Say something, please.”
I swallowed hard, steeling myself before slowly pivoting to face him. Our gazes locked, emerald boring into sapphire, the air electric and heavy between us. Unspoken things passed in that look – anger, betrayal, longing, regret. I wanted to rail at him, to demand answers, but most of all, I wanted to bury myself in his arms and hear that everything would be okay.
But I couldn’t, I wouldn’t let myself be weak. Lifting my chin, I kept my voice controlled and cold. “I’m fine, thanks to you.”
I glared up at him from where I lay in the bed, his tall, muscular form looming over me. His chiseled jaw clenched as his piercing blue eyes met mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. His dark hair fell rakishly over his brow. If only I had the strength, I would have fled his dominating presence. But in my weakened state, I was trapped, helpless under his smoldering gaze. I bit my lip, wondering if he would even believe me if I told him the truth – that it was my own sister who had pushed me from the castle’s highest balcony.
Rafe reached out a large hand, his fingers brushing my temple. I flinched. “How is your head? Are you in much pain?” His deep voice was laced with concern.
“I… I have a headache, but I’ll be fine,” I replied hesitantly, shrinking back against the pillows. “Really, it’s nothing.”
He moved closer, perching on the edge of the mattress. I was acutely aware of his powerful thighs pressing against my hip through the thin bedsheet. A thrum of electricity passed between our bodies. I swallowed hard, my skin flushing with heat. He leaned in, his face inches from mine. The spicy scent of his cologne filled my nostrils.
“Freya, I need you to tell me who did this to you. Who pushed you from that balcony?” His gaze bored into me.
I opened my mouth but the words stuck in my throat. Kelly’s name trembled on my lips but I held it back. As much as I wanted Rafe to know the truth, the thought of what he might do to my sister, his fury unleashed… it terrified me. I couldn’t bear to be responsible for that.
“It’s alright if you cannot provide an answer right now. You’ve had a head trauma. It would be better if we don’t put too much pressure on you.” Rafe said softly. I nodded gratefully. I really didn’t want to say anything right now. What if Kelly somehow found a way to defend herself? Then I would look like a liar. I didn’t want that to happen. I had to think this true first.
“There is something else to talk about, though,” Rafe continued, his gaze never leaving mine.
He flinched almost imperceptibly and reached a hand toward me. “Freya, what you saw with Kelly, it wasn’t what it looked-”
“No. Please. I don’t want to hear it,” I cut him off sharply, the words acid on my tongue. “You owe me no explanations. I owe you my life, and for that I’m grateful. But beyond that, I don’t want to talk about anything regarding the both of us. There’s a competition to focus on.”
I made to push him away from me but he caught my arm in a gentle yet iron grip. Unbidden, a shiver raced through me at the contact. His cyan eyes searched mine intently, a muscle flickering in his jaw.
“I won’t let you push me away,” he ground out. “Not until you hear the truth. Freya, I-”
“Let me go, Rafe,” I interrupted, my voice trembling with barely suppressed emotion. “Please. Just… let me go.”
Something shattered in his expression, his hand releasing me as if burned. I felt the loss instantly, a cold emptiness replacing his warmth. Blinking back the sudden sting of tears, I turned to stare at balcony, feeling his gaze searing into me. I silently prayed that he would just give me sometime alone. He wouldn’t push it.
All that was in my mind right now was the dream I had when I was in the coma. My mother had revealed so many things to me but the one that was stuck in my mind was the kingdom being in danger. I needed to find out what was wrong. I needed to help Rafe protect his kingdom and his pack.
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