Chapter 102
*Freya*
“I really don’t think the Alpha cares about me at this moment, Dan..” I said to Daniel who was still watching me amusingly.
“Of course he is,” Daniel said, shaking his head lightly as if to clear it of any doubts. “Trust me. I’ve got a good eye for these things.”
“Fine,” I sighed, hoping to shift the focus. “Who are you eyeing then?”
Daniel’s confident facade crumbled just a bit, his cheeks turning a shade pinker than usual. He looked away, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. It was rare to see him so flustered.
“Uh, well… it’s Addy,” he confessed, barely able to meet my eyes.
“Addy?” I repeated, a surge of surprise and happiness flooding through me. “Daniel, that’s wonderful! I had no idea you felt that way about her.”
“Yeah, well,” Daniel shrugged, his usual bravado replaced by a rare vulnerability. “I’m just afraid she won’t feel the same way, you know?”
“Are you kidding? You’re great, Daniel,” I reassured him, squeezing his hand. “And Addy would be lucky to have you.”
“Thanks, Freya,” he murmured, his eyes softening.
As we danced, my mind buzzed with thoughts of how I could help bring Daniel and Addy together. Addy was one of my closest friends, and I knew she wasn’t in love with Alpha Rafe. She didn’t want to be his queen, which made me hopeful for Daniel’s chances with her.
Even as I celebrated Daniel’s budding feelings for Addy, the weight of my own unresolved emotions lingered heavily. And try as I might, I couldn’t shake the feeling that somewhere across the room, Rafe’s intense gaze was burning holes through me.
I felt that prickling sensation on the back of my neck, like someone was watching me. I glanced around the room, and my eyes locked onto Rafe’s. His gaze was intense, burning with an anger that took me by surprise. He glared daggers at me, his jaw clenched tightly.
What could possibly be making him so furious? Wasn’t he supposed to be enjoying his time with Jessica? The venom in his eyes was palpable, and it sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn’t understand why he looked so angry-I hadn’t done anything wrong, had I?
“Freya?” Daniel’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Just… lost in thought.”
“About Rafe?” Daniel teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course not,” I lied, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling. “Let’s focus on getting you and Addy together, alright?”
“Alright,” he agreed, though his expression remained skeptical. “But seriously, Freya. Be careful. That guy looks like he wants to murder someone.”
I nodded absentmindedly, my thoughts still lingering on Rafe’s searing glare. Whatever his reasons were, I couldn’t let them distract me. I had a friend to help, and that was more important than figuring out the Alpha King’s mysterious anger towards me.
The music finally died down, and the ballroom filled with polite applause. My heart raced as I saw my opportunity to speak with Rafe. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was sure to be an awkward conversation.
“Excuse me,” I murmured to Daniel before making my way across the floor. Each step felt heavier than the last, like trudging through mud. The closer I got, the more I noticed how intently Rafe’s eyes followed Jessica’s every move. She was laughing at something he said, her hand resting lightly on his arm.
“Rafe,” I called softly as I reached them. His head snapped towards me, and instantly, I could tell something was off. His usually sharp gaze was unfocused, and the smell of alcohol lingered in the air between us.
“Freya,” he slurred, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. “What do you want?”
“Can we talk?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the knot tightening in my stomach. His glare intensified, making me feel small and insignificant.
“Talk?” He scoffed, turning away from me dismissively. “I’m busy.”
“Rafe, please,” I tried again, but it was no use. He was engrossed in whatever Jessica was saying, and I might as well have been invisible. The dismissal stung more than I cared to admit. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I quickly turned on my heel, walking away as fast as dignity would allow.
I headed straight for the refreshment table, grabbing a glass of champagne. The hot liquid did little to lift my spirits. Instead, my thoughts swirled around the painful realization that Rafe didn’t care about me. Not the way I cared about him.
“You’re not his Luna,” I whispered to myself, gripping the stem of the glass tightly. “He doesn’t need you.” It hurt more than I wanted to admit, but I had to accept it. Rafe had plenty of other options-women who were true werewolves, who fit into this world better than I ever could.
“Freya?”
I nearly dropped my glass at the sound of Aurora’s voice. Startled, I looked up to find her standing beside me, her expression surprisingly soft. The pale glow of the moon illuminated her features, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheekbones and the silver flecks in her deep blue eyes. We had never really spoken much before; she had always seemed so distant, almost aloof.
“Hi, Aurora,” I managed, forcing a smile despite my surprise. “What brings you over here?”
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you,” she said, her tone sincere. Her long, flowing gown rustled as she took a step closer. “Actually… I’ve been looking for a chance to apologize.”
“Apologize?” My confusion only grew. Aurora had never so much as glanced my way, the most conversation we had shared was probably because of our activities together sometimes, but we had never interacted much beyond that.
“Yes,” she continued, her eyes meeting mine with a hint of vulnerability. “For looking down on you when we first arrived at the palace. I realize now that I misjudged you, Freya.” Her words were laced with regret and sincerity. “I’d like to start over, if you’ll let me.” The moon seemed to shine a little brighter as she spoke, casting a gentle light over us both.
Her words took me by surprise, but they also warmed something inside me that had felt cold for too long. “I’d like that,” I said, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. “Thank you, Aurora.”
“So…Friends?” she asked, extending her hand.
“Friends,” I agreed, shaking her hand firmly. In that moment, surrounded by the glittering lights and opulence of the ballroom, a small flicker of hope ignited within me. Maybe things weren’t as bleak as they seemed.
“See? I told you that you could talk to her as easily as you wanted to.” Addy piped in excitedly as she joined the both of us. I realized this must have been Addy’s doing. I smiled gratefully at her and pulled her in for a hug.
I couldn’t explain how grateful I was for Addy’s friendship. She was the one constant thing here at the palace. I knew that no matter what happened, I would always cherish her.
“How is your night going?” I asked Addy as she stepped in line with me and Aurora. I noticed Addy’s gaze was on the other side of the room, directed at where Daniel stood with a different lady.
“Um…fine. I was just wondering… about your friend that saved you, his name..?”
“Daniel..?” I asked her.
“Yes! I wonder if he’s single?” Addy whispered to me. She squinted her eyes as she waited for my answer.
“Yes, Addy. He is. Do you like him?”
“Um.. well.. I…”
“Yes she does.” Aurora finished for Addy, making Addy gasp in shock at her secret being leaked.
“Shut up Aurora!”
I grinned in excitement, forgetting the sadness that had overwhelmed me earlier. If only Addy knew that Daniel was also into her. As I smiled innocently at Addy, I promised myself that I would make it my mission to bring these two lovebirds together.
****