Seventy Four
*Freya*
“I won’t give up,” I promised, my voice trembling but determined. “I’ll keep fighting, for as long as it takes. For Rafe, for my friends, for everyone I love. I won’t let them down.”
Daniel smiled down at me, his eyes shining with pride and admiration. “That’s my girl,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “You’re stronger than you know, Freya. And we’ll get through this, together. I promise.”
As he spoke, I felt a flicker of hope kindle in my chest, a tiny spark of light amidst the darkness. I clung to it like a lifeline, letting it guide me back from the brink of oblivion. And as I drifted off into a fitful sleep, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I would face them with courage and determination, secure in the knowledge that I was not alone.
****
*Rafe*
I opened my eyes with a start, my heart pounding. Where was I? I glanced around frantically, taking in the unfamiliar room. Sunlight streamed in through a small window, illuminating the mini furnished space. A small cot, a wooden table, a flickering oil lamp. It was like no place I had ever been before.
And then it all came rushing back to me in a dizzying flood of images. The town square. The smiling faces of the ladies from my palace, gathered to share gifts. Freya’s radiant smile as she gifted a little girl a small wrapped package. And then – the deafening blast, the screams, the chaos erupting everywhere. The searing pain as I was thrown to the ground.
“No…” I whispered, a wave of pure rage crashing over me. How could this have happened, an attack on my own people, in my own kingdom? Who would dare commit such an atrocity?
I struggled to sit up, gritting my teeth against the stabbing agony in my side. Looking down, I saw my tunic was soaked with blood from a deep gash. One of the bullets must have found its mark, I realized. If not for my alpha healing powers, I would surely be dead.
My thoughts turned to Freya and panic flooded through me. Where was she? The last thing I remembered was her beautiful face, smiling at me, just before the world exploded. I hadn’t been able to reach her, to protect her.
Ignoring the protestations of my battered body, I swung my legs over the edge of the cot and tried to stand. I had to find her. I had to know she was alright. Freya, my precious Freya. I would tear apart the world to keep her from harm.
But the moment I put weight on my feet, a wave of dizziness washed over me and I crumpled to the floor with a groan. Pain lanced through my injured side like a hot poker. Blackness crept in at the edges of my vision. No, I couldn’t black out, not now. Freya needed me.
Summoning every ounce of alpha strength left in me, I dragged myself upright again, leaning heavily against the wall. I had to find her. I had to save her. And I swore with every fiber of my being that I would hunt down the monsters responsible for this attack and make them pay. They would rue the day they dared to threaten those under my protection.
This I vowed, as an alpha, as a king, and as a man deeply in love, though I had not yet spoken it aloud. I would not rest until Freya was safe in my arms. Hold on, my love. I’m coming for you. I silently prayed. I needed to reach her as soon as possible.
Just as I was about to stagger to the door, it swung open. I tensed, ready to fight despite my injuries, until I recognized the familiar scent. Connor stepped inside. The tight coil of tension in my chest loosened a fraction at the sight of my closest friend.
“Rafe,” Connor exclaimed, rushing to my side. “Thank the moon you’re awake. We’ve been so worried.”
I let him help me back onto the cot, the brief burst of adrenaline already fading. “I’ll live,” I grunted, wincing as my side throbbed. “Where’s Freya? Is she safe?”
Connor’s face fell, his eyes filling with a sorrow that made my blood run cold. “Rafe… I’m so sorry. We’ve searched everywhere, but there’s no sign of her.”
“What do you mean, no sign of her?” I snarled, panic and fury rising in my throat like bile. “She was right there, in the square with the others. How could you not find her?”
“Someone… someone took her, Rafe. Right after the first blast. One of the guards saw a man carrying her away in the chaos.”
The world tilted beneath me, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. No. Not Freya. Not my gentle, radiant Freya, in the hands of some unknown enemy. The thought of her alone and frightened, or worse, hurt… it was more than I could bear.
My claws dug into my palms as my hands clenched into fists. I welcomed the pain, used it to sharpen my focus. “I don’t care what it takes,” I growled, my eyes flashing crimson. “We will find her, Connor. We will bring her home. And whoever dared to take her…”
I bared my fangs in a vicious smile. “They will learn the true wrath of an alpha.”
Connor nodded grimly, his own eyes gleaming with shared determination. “We’ll find her, Rafe. No matter what. And we’ll make them pay.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, picturing Freya’s smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. Hold on, my love. I’m coming. And heaven help anyone who stands in my way.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of rage and fear inside me. “Where are we, exactly? How did we get here?” I asked, glancing around the unfamiliar room once more.
“We’re at Theo’s place,” Connor replied. “He’s one of the soldiers who helped evacuate the injured from the square. He offered his home as a temporary shelter.”
I nodded absently, only half-listening. My mind was still reeling, desperately trying to make sense of what had happened. How could I have let this happen? I was supposed to protect her, to keep her safe. And now…
“Rafe.” Connor’s voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. “We will find her. I swear it.”
I met his gaze, saw the fierce loyalty and determination burning there. He was right. We would find her. And God help anyone who tried to stop us.
I pushed myself to my feet, ignoring the searing pain in my side. “Gather the others,” I ordered, my voice rough with barely suppressed emotion. “Anyone who’s able to fight. We leave at dawn.”
Connor hesitated, concern etched on his face. “Rafe, your wounds…”
“Will heal,” I snapped, cutting him off. “Freya can’t afford for me to rest. Every minute we delay is another minute she’s in danger.”
I saw the reluctance in his eyes, but he nodded, loyal to the end. “I’ll let them know.”
As he turned to leave, I reached out, gripping his shoulder. “Thank you,” I said quietly, pouring all my gratitude into those two simple words. “For everything.”
Connor clasped my arm in return, a wordless promise passing between us. Together, we would face this nightmare. Together, we would bring Freya home.
No matter the cost.
****