109

Chapter 109
*Rafe*
“We can do the test here,” Jessica said. “There’s no time to waste.”
“Is that what you would prefer, My king?” Dimitri asked approaching Jessica with a calmness that belied the storm brewing in the room.
“Yes, just do it.” Jessica instructed. “Let’s get this done with and prove that I’m not a liar.”
He extended his hand to her, his fingers glowing faintly with magical energy. Jessica hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in his, her eyes darting nervously around the room. It occurred to me that it would be better if everyone was present because Jessica wasn’t trusted one bit.
“Wait.” I comanded, my voice barely above a whisper as the tension threatened to choke me.
“Jessica,” I said, my voice cold and unyielding. “This test will be done in the private courtroom, in front of the elders and the other ladies. You won’t have any chance to lie or manipulate your way out of this.”
Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger and fear, but she nodded. “Fine.”
Time seemed to crawl as we made our way to the courtroom. The air was thick with tension, each step echoing ominously off the stone walls. Finally, we arrived. The room filled quickly, the elders seated in their high-backed chairs, their faces stern and expectant. Addy stood to one side, her expression unreadable, while Freya entered last.
My heart clenched as Freya’s gaze met mine. Her eyes, usually so full of light and love, were now clouded with hurt and confusion. We stared at each other, the room fading away until it felt like we were the only two people in the world. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms, to kiss away her pain and assure her that everything would be alright. But I knew I couldn’t-she was still too hurt, too uncertain.
“Everyone,” I announced, tearing my eyes away from Freya with great effort, “we are here to determine the truth. Jessica claims she is pregnant with my child as we speak, and Dimitri will verify this with his powers.”
Dimitri stepped forward, his presence commanding respect. “I will now perform the examination,” he said, his voice steady and calm.
He approached Jessica, who stood rigidly in the center of the room. She hesitated, her eyes darting around nervously before finally offering her hand to him. Dimitri took it, his fingers glowing faintly with magical energy as he began his work.
“Relax, ma’am” he instructed softly. “This will only take a moment.”
The room fell silent, all eyes on Dimitri and Jessica. I held my breath, my pulse hammering in my ears. This was the moment of truth, the moment that would either vindicate me or shatter everything I held dear.
“Well?” I demanded, my voice barely above a whisper, the tension almost unbearable.
Dimitri’s fingers glowed faintly as he reached out to Jessica. She hesitated, her eyes darting around the room like a trapped animal. Everyone watched in silent anticipation, the air thick with tension. Her hand trembled as she finally placed it into his.
“Relax,” Dimitri murmured softly, though the command was more for our benefit than hers.
Dimitri closed his eyes, concentrating intensely. The seconds dragged by like hours, each heartbeat a thunderous drum in my chest.
Jessica’s eyes fluttered shut as Dimitri’s magic enveloped her. She seemed to enter a trance, her body going still. I could almost see the arcane energies flowing between them, a shimmering veil of truth that would soon be revealed.
I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms. Every second felt like an eternity, the weight of the entire court’s gaze pressing down on me. My eyes flickered to Freya, who stood rigid and pale. Our gazes locked for a brief moment, a silent plea passing between us.
“Well?” I demanded, my voice harsh with desperation, barely above a whisper.
Dimitri’s eyes opened slowly, his expression unreadable as he released Jessica’s hand. He turned to face me, the room holding its collective breath.
“Alpha Rafe,” he began, his tone grave and solemn, “the results are clear.”
My heart pounded in my chest, hope and dread warring within me. Please let this nightmare end. Please let her be lying.
“Jessica is indeed pregnant,” Dimitri continued, each word a hammer blow to my soul. “The child was conceived very recently.”
A stunned silence fell over the courtroom. It was as if time itself had frozen, trapping us all in this horrific moment. Faces turned towards each other, disbelief and shock mirrored in every eye.
I felt as though the ground had been ripped from beneath me, a chasm opening up where certainty once stood. How could this be possible? How could everything have come to this?
Freya’s eyes met mine, wide and brimming with unshed tears. The pain etched on her face was a knife to my heart. This couldn’t be happening. Not like this.
“Congratulations, Alpha king,” one of the elders finally managed to say, breaking the heavy silence. His words felt hollow, meaningless. “The heir is on his way!” They all cheered loudly.
I didn’t respond, unable to tear my gaze away from Freya. The world around me seemed to blur, leaving only her and the agony I had caused.
I turned to Freya and saw the tears streaming down her face. Each tear that fell was a dagger to my heart, slicing deeper than any physical wound could. How could this be possible? The world spun around me, and I grasped at fragments of reality, trying to make sense of the chaos.
“Freya!” Her name escaped my lips in a desperate plea. Her eyes met mine, filled with hurt and betrayal. My chest tightened painfully.
I turned to the doctor who was staring wide eyed at me. “Are you certain what you’re saying is the truth?!”
“Alpha Rafe,” Dimitri’s voice was steady, but it felt like a distant echo. “I am telling the truth. Jessica is pregnant.”
“That can’t be! You’re lying!” I roared, my voice reverberating off the walls. Dimly, I heard the pack elders murmur their congratulations, but it sounded hollow, unreal.
“Congratulations, Alpha,” one of the elders said again, as if to hammer the final nail in the coffin of my disbelief. Freya bolted up from her seat with her face down.
“Freya, wait!” I called out, but she had already turned, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs as she walked out of the courtroom. I wanted to go after her, to explain, to beg for her forgiveness, but then a hand gripped my arm firmly, pulling me back.
“Do you believe me now, Rafe?” Jessica’s voice was sickeningly sweet, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “I’m carrying your heir. I will be your queen and Luna.”
“Jessica,” I spat, fury boiling within me, “if you are truly pregnant, then it means you did this against my will. I was drunk and asleep!”
Her smug expression faltered, shock flickering across her features. She hadn’t expected this accusation, and for a brief moment, I saw fear in her eyes.
“How dare you accuse me of such a thing!” she hissed, trying to regain her composure, but the damage was done. My words had struck deep, and doubt began to creep into the faces of those around us.
“Believe what you want, Rafe,” she snapped, but her voice wavered. “The fact remains: I’m carrying your child. Our child.”
“Enough,” I growled, stepping closer, my anger barely contained. “You will not manipulate me or anyone else here. We both know that I didn’t give you any consent to spend the night with me, not only did you disobey my rules by staying, you even forced yourself on me while I was out of it!”
The room buzzed with whispered conversations and stunned silence as I tore myself away from her grasp. My mind was set on two things. I would make sure I put Jessica in her place for having her way with me all because this stupid competition. I would call off the competition and announce that Freya is my Luna.
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