43

Forty three

*Freya*

My heart pounded as Rafe's intense gaze locked onto mine. The air between us felt electric, charged with a longing so powerful it stole my breath away. I ached to confess the truth I'd been holding back—that I wasn't truly one of his kind.

His brow furrowed slightly in concern. "Tell me, Freya." He urged.

I took a deep breath. It was now or never. "The reason I ran away... it wasn't because of you. It was because of Kelly, my stepsister. She found out my secret and threatened to tell you if I didn't leave the palace"

"What secret is that?" He asked. I took a deep breath, my whole body beaded with thick sweat.

After a heavy pause, the words finally tumbled out. "Kelly...she threatened to tell you I'm wolfless if I didn't leave you." My stepsister's cruelty still stung. "I couldn't let her manipulate me anymore, so I fled your palace."

Rafe's brow furrowed, those piercing eyes searching my face. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

I fought back tears at the hurt lacin