104

Chapter 104
*Third pov*
Jessica stood at the edge of Rafe’s grand bed, her eyes tracing the contours of his face as he slept peacefully. The soft glow of dawn filtered through the elaborate curtains, casting a gentle light on his chiseled features. His dark hair fell in waves across his forehead, and even in slumber, his strong jawline and high cheekbones exuded an undeniable strength and beauty. He was the Alpha king, after all-every woman’s dream.
Her heart twisted with envy. Freya. Always Freya. What did she have that Jessica lacked? Why couldn’t Rafe see her, truly see her, and realize she was the one meant for him? Freya wasn’t even a true werewolf; she wasn’t worthy of him. Yet, it was Freya who held his heart, leaving Jessica to fester in the shadows.
She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms as memories of the previous night flooded her mind. She had donned her most stunning gown, every detail spectacularly planned to capture his attention. She laughed at his jokes, leaned in close, her hand brushing his arm-anything to make him notice her. But no matter what she did, his gaze always drifted back to Freya, standing across the room with her ethereal grace.
“Why her?” Jessica whispered under her breath, bitterness coating her words. She thought of how Freya had smiled, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil she caused. It infuriated Jessica that someone so unworthy could effortlessly captivate Rafe. Freya Hadid, the girl who shouldn’t belong, had somehow become the center of Rafe’s world.
Jealousy surged within her like a tidal wave. She had tried everything, yet it was never enough. Freya, with her delicate beauty and mysterious allure, had managed to snare the Alpha king’s heart without even trying. Jessica felt the sting of rejection sharper than any blade.
“One day,” she vowed softly, her voice trembling with determination. “One day, he will see me.”
As she watched him sleep, his peaceful expression only fueled the fire of her resentment. She would not let Freya win. She could not. Jessica’s love for Rafe was fierce, consuming, and she was willing to do whatever it took to make him hers.
This was why she was with Rafe’s secret enemy. Jessica’s mind drifted back to the day Rafael had approached her. The sly smile on his lips and the glint in his eyes had sent a shiver down her spine, but desperation had clouded her judgment.
“Jessica,” Rafael had said, his voice smooth as silk, “I can help you become what you desire-Rafe’s queen, Luna of the pack. But it comes with a price.”
She had hesitated, feeling the weight of his words. The proposition was irritating, yet seductive. To be by Rafe’s side, to wear the crown she believed was rightfully hers, she needed to sacrifice something. And all because of Freya.
“Think about it,” Rafael had whispered, stepping closer, his breath warm against her ear. “With me, you can have everything you’ve ever wanted. All you need to do is give yourself to me.”
The memory made her stomach churn, but the jealousy burning within her had pushed her over the edge. She had given in, betraying not just Rafe but herself. The night with Rafael had been a means to an end, a step towards claiming the future she envisioned.
But it wasn’t until later that the true horror of Rafael’s intentions had dawned on her. He didn’t care for her ambitions; he only wanted to overthrow Rafe, to dismantle everything the Alpha king stood for. And Jessica had unwittingly played into his hand and was now in the middle of something she couldn’t even get out of even if she tried.
Now, staring at Rafe’s serene face, guilt gnawed at her insides. His Gamma’s hatred was palpable, a venomous undertone in their secret conversations. Last night, Rafael had laid out his latest scheme, whispering instructions with a sinister delight to Jessica.
“Make him drunk, Jessica,” Rafael had commanded. “Ensure you spend the night with him. It’s the only way to entrap him.”
Her heart had pounded with anticipation and dread. She had agreed, her mind clouded by the thought of finally having Rafe to herself. But now, in the quiet intimacy of his chambers, doubt crept in.
“Forgive me,” she murmured, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. The touch was tender, belying the turmoil within her. She traced the lines of his face, memorizing every feature, knowing deep down that she was part of a conspiracy against him.
“Why couldn’t you see me?” she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. “Why did it have to be Freya?”
The jealousy, the bitterness-it had driven her to this point, and there was no turning back. She had chosen her path, and now she must walk it, regardless of the cost.
“Rafe will be mine,” she vowed, her voice steel beneath the sorrow. “And Freya… she will regret ever coming between us.”
Jessica’s fingers trembled as she reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from Rafe’s forehead. The softness of his skin under her touch sent a shiver through her, a bittersweet reminder of the man she desired yet couldn’t wholly possess. She leaned in closer, hesitating for just a moment before pressing a light kiss to his temple. His peaceful slumber was a stark contrast to the storm raging within her.
“Why did it have to be you?” she whispered, her voice barely audible against the stillness of the room. “If only you had seen me… if only you had chosen me.”
Her thoughts darkened as they wandered to Freya once more. Freya Hadid-so perfect, so infuriatingly special in her own plain way. The fact that she was not special in an anyway, yet she had somehow ensnared Rafe’s heart shocked Jessica. Jessica’s jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palm with enough force to leave crescent marks on her skin.
“She doesn’t deserve you,” Jessica muttered, the words dripping with venom. “What does she have that I don’t? What makes her so special?”
The bitterness consumed her, twisting her insides until all that remained was a seething cauldron of envy and resentment. Every smile Freya shared with Rafe, every stolen glance-they were daggers to Jessica’s heart, each one driving her deeper into Rafael’s sinister web.
But no more. No longer would she stand by and let Freya take what should rightfully be hers. Jessica’s resolve hardened, her jealousy morphing into a fierce determination. She would be the one at Rafe’s side, his queen, his Luna. And if he dared to refute her, she would ensure he paid dearly for that decision.
With a deep breath, she lay down beside him, careful not to disturb his sleep. The heat from his body seeped into hers, and she shifted closer, molding herself against him. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of fear, excitement, and anticipation. She wrapped an arm around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder.
“Tomorrow,” she vowed silently, “Freya will see us together. She’ll know that Rafe belongs to me.”
As she closed her eyes, a satisfied smile played on her lips. In the darkness, she could already picture Freya’s devastated expression, the heartbreak that would finally give Jessica the upper hand. For now, she would savor this moment, content in the knowledge that tonight, at least, she had won for tonight.
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