Chapter 48. First Kiss

**48. First Kiss**

***Astrid's POV:***

Yes, I was angry with Rafael when I found out about my brothers. Though I hate to admit it, I still cared for them, a sentiment rooted in the bonds we once shared.

Upon our arrival at the location, I gradually realized that Rafael's actions were driven solely by concern for my well-being. However, my anger persisted, and I continued to lash out at him, subjecting him to unwarranted guilt.

I considered apologizing to him, but then I noticed that bitch trying to steal my mate. Despite my unwavering trust in Rafael's loyalty, seeing her holding his hand stirred an unsettling emotion within me. This place reminds me of my darkest days, intensifying my fear of losing Rafael. While I acknowledged he would never betray me, a sense of unease lingered.

Feeling the need to collect my thoughts, I excused myself to the restroom. As I pondered, a resolution formed within me: I would not delay the wait any further. Once we leave this place, I vow to confess my feelings to Rafael.

I can't wait any longer, and I don't want him to either. It just occurred to me that he would be irritated while waiting for me. He waited for me for ages, to be exact, and another person in my position would have embraced him for his reputation, but he was patient, gave me the space I needed, and never demanded anything. The realization struck him: how long should he wait? He would become frustrated at times. I resolved that once we were out of here, I would tell him how I felt.

With that resolve and to apologize to him for my impolite behavior and not understanding him, I exited the restroom and began washing my hands. I was still thinking when the door crushed open and then locked from within. When I turned around, I saw Edward standing there with a wicked smirk on his face.

"What are you doing here, and how dare you lock the door?" I grumbled.

"You have no idea how desperately I want you, Astrid." Edward examined my body with lust in his eyes. "I realized how badly I needed you after I lost you; believe me, Charlotte's body was simply a fetish to me." He was babbling like a drunk man, yet werewolves can't become drunk no matter how much alcohol they consume.

I was afraid for a while, especially when he threw himself on me, his head on my shoulder. I'm at a loss for what to do.

'Did you forget me, my love? Come on, my girl, it's time to show these guys who's the boss here,' Scarlet said from within, and I felt my body surge with new vigor.

I smirked at him, and he gave me a puzzled look.

"Why are you smiling? Don't tell me you want me as much as I do." He chuckled and began walking towards me.

When I noticed him rubbing the bulge in his pants, I scrunched up my nose in disgust. I knew exactly what he was doing. I closed my eyes, attempting to erase the disturbing images from my mind.

'Let's have some fun right now.' Scarlet was excited, but don't interpret her statements otherwise. Her idea of 'fun' differs from mine.

As I opened my eyes, Edward backed into the wall. His face was covered in fear.

"Astrid, why are your eyes violet?" He gasped.

Taking advantage of his vulnerability, I seized his collar and delivered a swift knee to his groin. He yelped in agony and recoiled against the wall.

"Do you still think I am the same Astrid you all enjoy torturing? Tch... Tch, how foolish of you!" I punched him in the side. "You thought I was weak and used it against me; now I'll prove you wrong." I struck his stomach, causing him to groan in pain. "You rejected me because you thought I was a weakling." I kicked on his other side.

"And now that I've moved on with someone far more powerful than you, who loves me, respects me, cares for me, looks after my well-being, looks at me as if I've created the stars in the sky, and then there's you who can't even stand his affection becoming jealous and attempting to split us apart?" I punched him in the face, and he kept wincing in pain as I threw him to the ground. "Don't you dare come near me. Go get a life and move on, and pray that Rafael doesn't find out because if he does, he will definitely kill you." I unlocked the door and was about to open it when I heard footsteps approaching the lavatory.

I was taken aback and didn't notice when Edward restored his posture and wrapped his arms around my waist. Before I could give him another thrashing punch, the door opened, and Rafael entered, his eyes widening at the sight before him. "What's going on here?" His voice echoed in the cubicle.

"Your Highness," Edward said as he moved away from me, and I scowled at him. I wanted to spit at his ugly face for framing me in this situation. Rafael's concern showed on his face. What if he believed I had cheated on him?

"Your Highness, please don't punish your mate; we were just having some fun; you know reminiscing about the past, right?"

Confused, I looked at Edward, wondering what nonsense he was spewing. Rafael punched him square in the bruise I had created earlier, cutting off his remarks.

"You have no right to take her name with your filthy mouth, or I'm not going to wait for another second to kill you." Rafael clenched his teeth and hoisted Edward off the ground with his collar.

Taking Edward's hand in his, Rafael questioned, "Did you dare to touch her with your hand?" He slammed Edward into the wall; the sink cracked, and he fell. Rafael stepped on his hand. Edward shouted in agony, but Rafael twisted his legs, exacerbating his misery.

"I will kill you!" Rafael exclaimed. I gasped as I looked Rafael in the eyes. They were all black. His facial features had been swapped, and he no longer resembled Rafael. His face protruded forward. His fangs became longer. He kicked him in the face, knocking his head to the side.

Alpha Brad and Luna Lilly followed. When they noticed Edward's condition, their expressions changed to horror, but they were silent when they witnessed Rafael hitting him like a lion unleashed.

"Your Highness, please stop; if he has done anything wrong, I apologize on his behalf." Rafael didn't even hear Luna Lilly's plea. Hell, he wasn't even in his senses.

She realized he wasn't stopping. Luna Lilly approached me and pleaded with me to save her son. Rafael plunged his hand into Edward's chest.

"Please, Astrid, please save my son," she begged again.

I can't witness a mother longing for her dead child her entire life. What if my parents didn't love me, but even they couldn't picture their lives without their children? Edward is their only kid, and no parent could bear the guilt of going on with their lives after seeing their child's death.

I gasped and moved closer to Rafael. I grabbed his hand, but he yanked it away. I was upset by his move, but I turned around and hugged him from behind, which made him stop. "Please, my love, you have done enough harm," I muttered. "Think about it: can any mother witness the killing of her child?" I felt his grasp relax as he took his hand away from his chest.

Everyone was relieved that he hadn't pulled his heart out. He took my hands from around his waist and took mine in his. "Pray that I don't see you again in this lifetime," he spat at Edward as he dragged me outside. He led us away from the packhouse We were in a random alley, and I was trying to free my hand from his, but he wouldn't let go.

"Rafael, let go of my hand!" I yelled, but he didn't.

"You're hurting me, Rafael," I shouted.

His hold loosened, and he let go, but he wasn't harming me in any case.

"Are you going to defend him now, Astrid? I should have killed him." He tightened his jaw.

My eyes welled up with tears. "Rafael, believe me, I had no idea. He was forcing himself on me," I explained.

"I know Astrid, I'm not blind; I could see bruises on his face, but how long are we going to keep me this way? I don't want to pressurize you for anything; I want to be with you all the time, but I'm honestly tired of explaining our relationship. We got into this mess because these idiots can't see the mark." He punched the adjacent wall. "They think they're free to do anything; they want to touch what's mine," he stated possessively, repeatedly pounding the wall beside us.

"Rafael, stop; you're harming yourself," I said. I knew it wouldn't have any effect on him, but I was concerned because he might experience brief pain, which disturbed me, but he wasn't ready to listen to me.

I didn't give it a thought and slapped him in the face.

He was taken aback. He gave me a wide-eyed stare. "What the hell... Why did you..."

His words were cut short when I grabbed his collar and pressed my lips into his. Stunned, he didn't respond immediately. Thinking I had offended him and he regretted it, I pulled away.

"I'm sorry, I thought..." I was about to apologize but my words were muted When he shoved me against the walls and cupped my cheeks, kissing the life out of me, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the taste of his lips on mine. He nipped my lower lip and asked for permission to enter, which I granted. His tongue plunged inside, exploring my mouth.

Our most beautiful moment was cut short when I noticed someone behind us. I drew back from Rafael.

"Mom?"

_ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _

**I told you; things were going to take a big turn but you all underestimated Astrid. I know you all might be jumping out of joy.**