CHAPTER 52

CHAPTER 52
MARISSA’S POV


The light shimmered brightly as I opened my eyes, the world around me slowly coming into focus.




My heart pounded in my chest as I scanned the room, searching desperately for Raul, but he was nowhere to be seen. I felt a pang of disappointment mixed with worry.




“How long have I been unconscious?” I asked Chari as I could feel her present within me.



“We will talk when you feel stronger,” She gave a short response. I wanted to say something when I was cut short by someone calling my name.



"Marissa!" Sabrina's voice broke through the silence, filled with happiness. She rushed to my side, her smile bright and warm. "You're awake!"



"Sabrina," I croaked, my throat dry and parched. "Water, please.”




"Of course," she quickly said, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. She handed it to me, and I drank greedily, the cool liquid soothing my throat.




I noticed Benjamin stepping aside dialing something on his phone. I think he wanted to make a phone call, and my heart leaped with hope that it was Raul he was calling.



He walked back to my side, his face etched with concern.
“How are you feeling, Marissa?” He asked, gazing at me.




“I feel better,” I responded, my voice a bit hoarse and he nodded at me. Sabrina had her prying eyes on me, but it held worry.




It didn't take long. The door burst open, and Raul stormed into the room, breathing heavily. The moment I saw his face, my heart swelled with a mix of relief and longing. I had missed him so much that it was almost unbearable.




The sight of him took my breath away. His face, flushed with urgency, was the most beautiful thing I had seen in a long time. I stared at him, lost in the moment, every worry and pain melting away. His lips moved, forming words I couldn’t quite catch.





I was so lost in the sight of him, the curve of his lips, the intensity in his eyes, that I didn't register a single word he was saying. My eyes were glued to his face, and I didn't notice when Benjamin and Sabrina quietly excused themselves, leaving us alone.




In an instant, Raul closed the distance between us. His lips slammed onto mine, and I responded with equal fervor, pulling him closer, pouring all my pent-up emotions into the kiss.




Nothing else mattered at that moment—not the days I had been unconscious, not the nightmares that haunted me. All that existed was Raul and the electrifying connection between us.



We finally pulled away, gasping for breath, our foreheads pressed together, our breaths mingling. A smile spread across both our faces.




“I miss you,” Raul whispered, planting soft kisses on my forehead, eyes, nose, and finally, my lips.



“I miss you too,” I giggled, the twinkling sensation of his kisses making me feel lightheaded.




I didn't know how long I had been unconscious, but the journey on the other side had been nothing short of a nightmare. When I had taken that bullet for Raul, I had no idea it was laced with wolfbane. I had no idea it was so deadly.




As soon as I started feeling the poison coursing through my veins, I turned inward, searching for answers. "Why am I feeling this way, Chari? I can't feel my body," I asked my wolf.



“It’s because the bullet was laced with wolfbane. Not just any wolfbane, but a potent, deadly strain of wolfbane. It’s the first time it’s entered our system, and I’m not used to it either, so I can’t heal you. I’m sorry,” Chari’s voice was filled with sorrow.




Before losing consciousness, I remembered Raul sinking his teeth into my neck. Chari had told me that Raul had taken the risk of sucking out a little of the wolfbane from my system. His voice rang in my ears, assuring me that I would be fine.




When I woke later on, I found myself in a dark, eerie forest, unfamiliar and terrifying. The sounds around me sent shivers down my spine.




“Anyone here? Are you there, Chari? Chari?” I called out, but there was no reply.
“Chari, answer me or do something to let me know you're here,” I said, my voice trembling but still, there was no reply.




I started walking, my body trembling with fear. Despite my efforts to muster courage, the fear was overwhelming.




Out of nowhere, a monstrous creature appeared, its growl sending chills down my spine. It attacked, and though I tried to fight, it was stronger. Desperation took over, and I ran, but it was fast and slashed my leg, bringing me down. It snarled at me, ready to end me. As it crept closer, I felt despair.




“Snap out of it, Marissa! This is an illusion meant to weaken you. I can’t help you here because it is in your mind, but you have to fight!” Chari’s voice boomed in my head. Fear has consumed me and I couldn't move my body. I had already given up when Chari's yelled.




“Fight, Marissa! Fight!” Chari urged again, and a surge of strength coursed through me. My claws extended, and I attacked the creature relentlessly until it lay dead at my feet.



Exhausted, I collapsed. I thought it was over and was ready to rest, but another snarl forced me up and I had to dodge the attack from behind.



I twirled around and a gasp instantly escaped my lips. The person who stood before me was my mother, her face a hauntingly familiar blend of love and pain. “Mother!” I cried, stepping toward her, my voice choked with emotion. I wanted to move closer and hug her but halted my steps when Chari yelled for me to stop.




“She is not your mother, Marissa. The wolfbane is messing with your head. You have to fight the illusion and wake up,” Chari howled, but I shook my head, unable to accept it.



As I inched closer again, memories of how my mother had died trying to protect me flashed before my eyes. Guilt and sorrow overwhelmed me and I whimpered loudly.




“Marissa, you are not alone. Everyone is waiting for you, especially Raul. He is worried sick about you. Wake up, please,” Chari pleaded and at that very moment, Raul’s voice echoed in my mind, filled with regret and longing.



“Please wake up, Marissa. You have to fight for us. I have so many regrets—regrets that I didn’t spend enough time with you. I want to change that. I want to know everything about you, your likes, dislikes, your fears, everything. I want to love you, Marissa,” his voice was sincere, filled with pain.




Tears streaming down my face, I turned to the image of my mother and slashed it with my claws, a painful growl escaping my lips. She dissolved into ashes, and I knew I had to fight my way out of this nightmare, for Raul and everyone else waiting for me.




“Are you okay? You look lost,” Raul’s voice brought me back to the present.




I smiled at him. “It’s nothing,” I said, though he looked skeptical.



“You need to rest more. We’ll talk when you’re ready,” he said gently, laying me back down. I didn’t argue, adjusting myself on the bed. He covered me with the blanket, his touch reassuring.




He planted a kiss on my forehead and sat beside me, holding my hand, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll be here until you wake up,” he whispered, his voice filled with certainty.




I nodded, letting sleep envelop me, knowing Raul would be there when I woke.