112

Chapter 112
*Freya*
Rafe’s face went pale, his eyes widening in shock. He stood silent for a moment, processing the words that had just come out of Clara’s mouth. The room seemed to hold its breath with him.
“Clara, if what you speak is the truth, Then I swear to you, I never authorized such an action,” Rafe finally said, his voice heavy with sincerity and incredulity. “I have never given orders to imprison anyone without cause, especially not during the hunt last year. I’m so sorry for your loss, but I promise you, I didn’t know.”
“You’re lying!” Clara’s voice cracked as she cried silently, the tip of the knife trembling against my skin.
“Please, Clara,” Rafe continued, stepping forward cautiously, his hands open and empty. “I’ll punish my Gamma for what he’s done, but you must let Freya go.”
Tears streamed down Clara’s cheeks, mingling with her rage and sorrow. For a split second, the agony in her eyes mirrored the turmoil in my heart, a twisted reflection of pain and injustice.
“Clara,” I began. “I understand how hurt you are, I understand why you want to attack me. I just want you to know that I know you. I know the Clara deep down inside of you. I know that you feel so much and you’re the sweetest girl with the purest of hearts. You have every right to be hurt and want revenge…. But will this make you feel better?”
She stared at me silently. An unreadable expression marking her face.
“Will killing me really put you out the pain and misery you feel? If it will, then go ahead and kill me.”
Clara’s expression crumbled, her anger dissolving into a deep, harrowing sadness. She lowered the knife with trembling hands and then let it fall to the floor with a clatter. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she knelt before me, her shoulders shaking with every sob. “I’m so sorry, Freya,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
Rafe moved swiftly to my side, his strong hands working deftly to untie the knots that bound my wrists. As the ropes fell away, I felt a rush of relief and pain as blood began to circulate freely in my arms again. Rafe pulled me into a tight embrace, pressing his lips against mine in a desperate, fervent kiss that tasted of both fear and love.
“Are you okay?” he murmured against my hair, his breath warm and comforting.
“Yes,” I nodded, even though my heart still raced with lingering terror. My eyes settled on Clara, who remained kneeling, her face buried in her hands. I approached her cautiously, my voice soft but firm. “Clara, please tell me one thing. Who helped you do this? Someone was definitely working with you, right?”
Her silence spoke volumes. Clara’s hesitation was palpable, her body tensing as if weighed down by an unbearable burden. Rafe’s demeanor shifted sharply; he strode over and gripped her by the neck, not harshly, but with enough force to demand her attention.
“Tell us the truth, Clara,” he commanded, his voice low and dangerous. “Who are you working with?”
Clara’s sobs grew louder, more frantic. She looked up at me, her eyes pleading for understanding even as they brimmed with guilt. “It was Kelly,” she finally choked out. “Your stepsister, Kelly Hadid. She-she poisoned my mind against you. She told me to poison you twice, but I couldn’t do it the first time. When I refused, she threatened my life. I had no choice.”
The revelation hit me like a physical blow. Kelly. I could barely process the betrayal. Rafe’s grip on Clara loosened as he turned to look at me, his eyes filled with both sorrow and resolve.
“Kelly,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. The name tasted bitter on my tongue, a stark reminder of how deeply treachery could cut through the bonds of family.
The revelation hit me like a physical blow, and I staggered backward, my breath catching in my throat. Kelly. My own stepsister. Betrayal gnawed at my insides as Rafe pulled me into his arms, his embrace a desperate attempt to anchor us both.
“Freya,” he murmured against my hair, holding me tightly. His warmth seeped through the cold shock enveloping me, but it did little to dull the pain. I knew Kelly envied me, that much had always been clear, but this? This was beyond anything I could have imagined.
“Bring Kelly Hadid immediately,” Rafe commanded, his voice slicing through the air like a blade. The guards outside the door sprang into action, their hurried footsteps echoing down the corridor.
As we waited, my mind raced back to that fateful day when Kelly had pushed me off the tower during an argument. I had barely survived, and even then, I hadn’t believed she would go so far as to plot my murder. How wrong I had been.
Moments later, the door swung open, and Kelly was dragged in by the guards. Her eyes widened in shock and fear as she took in the scene-Clara kneeling, tear-streaked and trembling; Rafe standing protectively beside me, his expression stony; and myself, glaring at her with all the hatred and hurt she had sown.
“Freya, I-” Kelly’s voice faltered as she saw the gathered crowd in my chambers. Addy and Aurora rushed forward, hugging me tightly. Their presence was a balm to my wounded heart, reminding me of the love and loyalty still surrounding me.
“Clara,” Rafe said, his tone unforgiving, “tell everyone here who you were working with.”
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to choke on. Clara hesitated, her gaze flickering between Kelly and me. Finally, she pointed a shaking finger at Kelly. “It was her. Kelly Hadid.”
“That’s a lie!” Kelly shrieked, attempting to bolt for the door. But the guards were quick, their grips unyielding as they restrained her.
“Let go of me! You don’t understand!” Kelly struggled, her face contorted in desperation.
“Enough!” Rafe’s voice boomed, silencing her pleas. He turned to me, his eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt. But there was none. Only the cold, hard truth remained.
“Please, Freya!” Kelly sobbed, her voice cracking as she fell to her knees in front of me. “I didn’t mean it! You have to believe me!”
“Enough,” Rafe’s voice was low and dangerous, every word a promise. “You will rot in prison for the rest of your miserable life.”
“Rafe, no! Please!” Kelly’s screams echoed through the room as the guards dragged her away. Her cries grew fainter until they were nothing but a haunting memory.
My eyes shifted to Clara, still kneeling on the floor, her tears pooling by her knees. Rafe turned his glare to her, and for a moment, I feared what he might do. His anger was palpable, a storm barely contained.
“Rafe, please,” I said, stepping between them. “Don’t punish Clara. She was manipulated. She thought you killed her parents. She didn’t want to harm me.”
His jaw tightened, and his eyes flickered from Clara to me, filled with indecision. The room held its breath, waiting for his verdict. He stared at Clara, the raw pain and betrayal in his eyes making my heart ache.
“Freya,” he began, his voice strained, “she tried to kill you. How can you ask this of me?”
“Because I care about her,” I replied earnestly. “And because I believe she deserves a chance to make things right.”
Rafe’s jaw worked furiously, muscles twitching as he fought an internal battle. Finally, he exhaled sharply, breaking the tension that had gripped the room.
“Fine,” he said, his tone clipped. “I won’t arrest her now. But this isn’t over. We need answers-from Rafael, from Jessica.” He stepped closer and placed a tender kiss on my forehead. “I’ll handle this.”
As he walked out of the room, I felt a mixture of relief and dread. Turning back to Clara, I knelt beside her and pulled her into a hug. Her body shook with sobs, and she clung to me like a lifeline.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice raw and broken.
“Shh, it’s okay,” I murmured, stroking her hair. “We’ll figure this out together.”
Grace and Flo approached us, their faces etched with gratitude. “Thank you, Lady Freya,” Grace said softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “You’ve saved Clara from the Alpha king’s wrath.”
“All of us owe you,” Flo added, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, feeling the weight of their words settle over me. As we sat there, surrounded by my friends, I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Together, we would face whatever came next. I wondered what Kelly’s fate would be from now on.
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