Chapter 29. Attack

***29. Attack***
**Third Person's POV:**
When Rafael entered the room that day, Astrid didn't recognize him as a monster. She was even second-guessing her own decision, wondering if she had made a mistake in judging him, but all of the previous instances had taught her never to trust anyone.

Despite Rafael's seemingly pleasant demeanour, Astrid hesitated. How long would he stay this way? What if he turned out to be like everyone else? Trust was a luxury she couldn't afford.

One thing she realized was that they didn't have any ulterior motives for everything. Sure, he was impolite and embarrassed to tell everyone that she was his mate, but she was also relieved to get out of there and even more relieved that she wasn't sold to some pervert who would prey on her dignity.

Even when she offered herself, he did not touch her; instead, he respected her up to this point. He had previously offered his own bed and slept on the couch without displaying any form of ego. Nobody had ever done anything like that for her before.

The night she had a nightmare in which her mother gave her permission to sell her, Rafael's treatment of her touched her heart. He managed to calm her down and make her feel at ease, and the way he didn't even question her, understanding that she wasn't ready to open up just yet, touched her heart in a different way.
Astrid yearned for having someone in front of whom she could be vulnerable and who wouldn't condemn her, and Rafael seemed to be that person this time. She wanted to share everything, but fear held her back.

She was startled the next morning to see how he noticed her small needs when her own mother didn't even notice significant things she lacked. He even noted that she needed shampoo, body wash, and other necessities and purchased them based on her preferences.

When he went to take a bath, she was perplexed as to where she should put the five pairs of clothes that Rafael had purchased for the time being. She went to the walk-in closet and sought a vacant spot when she heard Rafael curse. She turned around and gulped when she saw a topless Rafael. His towel was dangerously hung low, allowing a full view of his abs and v-line on full display.

"Do you like what you see?" He teased her, which jolted her out of her trance.

After a teasing session in which Astrid became more comfortable with him, he ordered Bryan to grab her dinner while he went somewhere.

Astrid overheard Eva and Bryan arguing and became friends with them. Who could resist him? He was so kind and started asking Astrid questions about herself.

When Rafael returned, he got busy with his work with Bryan. Meanwhile, Eva entertained Astrid by showing her images of the items Rafael had purchased for her during his trips. Astrid couldn't help stealing glances at Rafael, her heart skipping a beat each time he caught her eye. Quickly averting her gaze whenever he looked her way became a reflex.

Suddenly, she heard Rafael calling her, requesting her assistance with something. Reluctantly, she consented.

"So I want you to be by my side tomorrow when I present you as my mate. I want you to show everyone that we are happy together. I realize it's a lot to ask, but I'm short on time, and I need to do this as soon as possible," he explained.

She reasoned that if this was what he wanted after doing everything for her, it was the least she could do to thank them for giving her freedom. He appeared to be desperate for it, and if he didn't, why would he ask her? It's not like he's pushing Astrid to accept; instead, he's left it up to her.

She was about to agree when a knock on the door interrupted them. The door seemed on the verge of falling off its hinges, and through the cracks, Astrid could see a horde outside.

Rafael was deafeningly quiet for a long time, as if he were waiting for someone to arrive and tell him something. Rafael soon moved towards Astrid and drew her behind him, taking a defensive position.

Rafael was confident that even though the door was constructed of the hardest materials, it wouldn't be long until they were inside. And he was right; the beasts burst the door and rushed in, attempting to take down Rafael. However, his skills were more than a match, single-handedly cutting them down effortlessly.

These were Elliot Delmar minions, sent by his father to harm Astrid. Accompanied by Bryan, Eva, and Rafael's men, they fought back, protecting Astrid from harm. Amid the chaos, one of the attackers aimed for Astrid, but she, too, was ready, countering with such force that he crashed through the window.

Rafael came to a halt in his struggle and remained there for a second, admiring his queen's might. Her actions made him wonder if she didn't have a wolf or if it hadn't appeared yet, because otherwise, she couldn't have thrown a big vampire out the window.

Rafael was still staring at Astrid when he was ambushed by a vampire who grabbed him by the throat. Rafael was unaffected by this in the least. He whirled around and grabbed his hands, shattering them with such force that the crack rang throughout the palace. Eva, Bryan, and Rafael surrounded Astrid, shielding her from further threats.

"Leave, and you will be spared, while those who wish to die can stay and try anything out." Rafael forewarned them.

"We are simply carrying out our king's command; he wanted you to know that worse things are on their way, and if you choose a lowlife as a werewolf who does not have a wolf to serve as our queen, that is guaranteed. We may accept everything, but we cannot accept a werewolf whose pack was implicated in the murder of our queen to be our next queen. We would rather die than see that day." Abbot, Elliot's assistant, passed the massage.
"Tell that coward king of yours to do whatever he wants; I'm not giving him what is mine," Rafael stated.

Unbeknownst to them, when a vampire attacked Astrid, he managed to cut her arm, getting her blood on his body. The vampires believed even a drop of her blood could harm Rafael, prompting their retreat.
Astrid couldn't understand what had just happened. She could tell Rafael's father was the one who sent them to kill her, but she couldn't figure out why he wanted to do so or why they all said she was to blame for their mother's death.
Even if her pack was involved in something questionable, why would they want to hurt her? She had no idea what had happened to their mother and lacked the courage to ask anyone.

She cared the least about her pack, and even if Rafael and his family decided to extract their vengeance on them, she would be relieved if they punished the deserved ones, but she was also concerned about the innocent; there were kids and the elderly who had no voice in any of this.

Astrid understood what he meant when he said he needed her assistance, and he wouldn't have asked if it wasn't necessary. She wanted to believe that Rafael was greedy for power and only needed her help for that reason, but her heart was telling her otherwise, and after a two-day stay with them, she learned that they weren't even half as awful as the outside world painted them, which is why she decided to help them.

She always wanted a sister, and Eva's presence filled that hole. They've been so kind to her, so it's only fair that she assist them when they need it.

She chose to follow her heart for the first and last time. Rafael approached her and looked at Astrid. Astrid met his gaze and spoke to him. "I'm ready to be your queen."

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**Yuhooo... Finally, things are starting to fall into place. I hope they can open up about their differences more so that Astrid understands what Rafael feels for her and soon begins to reciprocate his feelings.**
**Who is looking forward to the next chapter? I'm sure I am.**

**Keep an eye out... I Love you all <3**

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