Seventy two
I stepped down from the vehicle, my hand gripping Alpha Rafe’s firm arm for balance. As my feet touched the cobblestones, a roar of cheers erupted from the massive crowd filling the bubbly town square. I gasped, shocked by the sheer number of people who had turned out. Crimson kingdom banners flapped in the breeze as men, women and children craned their necks to catch a glimpse of us.
“They’re here for you, for all of you,” Rafe said close to my ear. His warm breath sent a shiver down my spine despite the summer heat. “The people want to see their future Queen.”
Kelly, Jessica, Aurora, Addy and I made our way to a raised platform in the center of the square, waving and smiling at the cheering throngs. Excitement buzzed in the air, the anticipation palpable. As we ascended the steps, the crowd began chanting.
“Freya! Freya!” some called out. My heart swelled at their support. It felt surreal to think I had actual fans. I was extremely excited and thankful that Rafe had given me the opportunity for this to be possible.
“Addy! Addy!” others cheered. I beamed at my friend, glad she was earning praise too.
“Jessica! Aurora!” more voices cried.
But one name was noticeably absent from their cheers – my wicked sister Kelly’s. I glanced over to see her jaw clenched tight, eyes flashing with disappointment and rage as she surveyed the crowd. Kelly had always been cruel, tormenting me and others mercilessly with her vicious barbs. Now the people were making their disdain for her clear.
Perhaps there was some justice in this world after all, I thought with grim satisfaction. Kelly deserved to face consequences for her heartlessness at some point. The adoring cheers for me and the other candidates felt like a rebuke aimed straight at my unpleasant sister.
As we reached the center of the platform and turned to face the citizens of Crimson Kingdom, I couldn’t keep the elated smile from my face. In that moment, basking in the crowd’s excitement and support, I let myself imagine being chosen as Rafe’s queen and earning the people’s love. Perhaps I really did have a chance, after all.
I noticed each of the other candidates holding wrapped parcels and packages, no doubt the gifts they had prepared to distribute to the people. Glancing down at my own modest offerings, a twinge of worry crept through me. Would the citizens find my gifts worthy enough? Adequate to win their affection and approval?
So much rode on their reaction. I knew deep down that whichever candidate earned the crowd’s adoration today would have the best chance of being voted Rafe’s queen and future bride. My stomach knotted with nerves, but I forced my most brilliant smile as I held up my small bundles, ready to begin handing them out. Please let them like what I brought, I prayed.
“Freya!” a familiar voice called out. I turned to see Addy approaching, her face alight with a friendly grin.
We embraced tightly, both giggling. As we pulled back, Addy arched an eyebrow at me, a knowing gleam in her eyes. “So…have you and Alpha Rafe patched things up after your lover’s spat?” she teased.
Heat flooded my cheeks and I gaped at her, flustered. “It wasn’t a lover’s spat!” I sputtered. “There’s nothing really going on between me and the Alpha!”
Addy smirked, clearly unconvinced. “Mmhmm, sure. You just keep telling yourself that.”
I crossed my arms defensively. “I mean it! Rafe and I are just… I don’t know what we are, but we’re definitely not lovers!”
My friend lifted her hands in surrender, but the smile never left her face. “Okay, I believe you,” she said, her tone making it obvious she absolutely did not believe me in the slightest.
I huffed in exasperation, but chose not to argue further. The last thing I would right now was admit that that Rafe and I were romantically entangled. Especially when I wasn’t even sure of my own feelings for the confusing, infuriating Alpha.
“Let’s just focus on charming the crowd with our gifts, alright?” I suggested, changing the subject.
Addy nodded agreeably. “Of course. And Freya?” She laid a hand on my shoulder, her expression softening. “You’ve got this. The people are going to adore you, I just know it.”
I smiled at her words. Her steadfast confidence bolstered my resolve. Squaring my shoulders, I turned back to the sea of faces, determined to win the citizens’ hearts and bring myself one step closer to becoming Rafe’s chosen queen.
Addy and I made our way into the throng of people, our arms filled with the gifts we’d prepared. I handed out warm loaves of bread, soft blankets, and small pouches of coins, smiling warmly at each recipient. Their grateful expressions and murmured thanks made my heart swell with joy.
As I reached into my basket for another item, my fingers brushed against the cool metal of my charm necklace. On impulse, I unclasped it from around my neck and knelt before a little girl with wide, hopeful eyes.
“Here,” I said softly, holding out the necklace. “I want you to have this. Keep it with you always, and it will protect you, no matter what.”
The girl’s face lit up as she reverently took the necklace, her small fingers tracing the intricate charms. Then, to my surprise, she threw her arms around my neck and planted a big, wet kiss on my cheek.
“Thank you, miss!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure, unbridled delight.
Around us, the crowd erupted into applause, their cheers ringing out across the square. I stood, a blush coloring my cheeks, and caught Rafe’s eye from across the way. He was watching me, a look of unmistakable pride and admiration on his handsome face. My heart stuttered in my chest, and I couldn’t help but beam back at him, suddenly feeling like I could take on the world.
But the moment was shattered by a deafening boom that rocked the earth beneath our feet. Screams of terror filled the air as people scattered in every direction, desperate to escape the unknown threat. I stumbled, my basket falling from my hands and spilling its contents across the cobblestones.
“Freya!” Rafe’s panicked shout rose above the chaos, but before I could locate him in the frenzy, another explosion sent me flying. I hit the ground hard, the breath knocked from my lungs, and the world went black around the edges.
As I teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, one final thought flitted through my mind: “Please, Goddess, let Rafe be safe.”
Pain exploded through my skull as I collided with another jagged rock, the impact sending shockwaves through my entire body. I lay there, dazed and disoriented, my vision blurring in and out of focus. The acrid smell of smoke filled my nostrils, and the sounds of terror and destruction seemed to come from every direction at once.
“Freya! Where are you?” Rafe’s desperate cries cut through the haze of pain, and I tried to call out to him, but my voice was barely a whisper. I struggled to push myself up, to crawl towards the sound of his voice, but my limbs wouldn’t cooperate. The agony in my head was too much, and I collapsed back onto the ground, tears streaming down my face.
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me up and cradling me against a broad chest. For a moment, I thought it was Rafe, but the scent was all wrong. This person smelled familiar, but it wasn’t the comforting aroma of pine and leather that I associated with my Alpha.
Who could this person be??
****