CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN - MARICELA

CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN - MARICELA
I lash out, I buck my back, I try to get free of whatever this is, but it tightens its grip, forcing me down, forcing me further to the bottom.

I gulp, swallowing water, feeling it fill up my lungs. Is this drowning? Is this what it feels like? I heard it was peaceful? That you simply slip away and die. This is so different from that. 

But as my mind registers the awful betrayal, the agony of what my mate has put me through I think there is a part of me that would willingly drown now. That would willingly roll over and die.

But I don’t want that. I don’t want to die. I’m Alpha Juan’s daughter for fucksake. I’m better than that, better than this pathetic creature they’re turning me into.

I scream out and it comes out so muddled, so contorted against the water swirling around me. 

And then a hand reaches down, a body dives into the pool and I’m wrenched up, pulled out and all that fearful panic is gone.

He slaps my back, helping me cough up all that water as I gasp and heave on all fours.

“You’re all right.” Ryker says. “You’re all right.”

I can’t speak. I can’t even think. Someone tried to drown me. Someone used magic to try to kill me? How is that possible? Ryker told me ages ago that the Residence is protected, that there are charms and enchantments to ensure it’s safe and secure. What could possibly get around all of that? 

He wraps a towel around my shoulders, cradling me in his arms and I start sobbing as it hits me that I’m not safe at all. That any minute someone could do that again, they could make another play, and I won’t be able to fight it. I won’t even see it coming.

Ryker soothes me, stroking my back and I cling to him, not caring how desperate I look.

And then the doors slam open. 

I know who it is without looking up but that fear and that anger seem to takeover.

“Maricela,” Adriel gasps like he gives a shit. Like he cares.

I snarl, forcing myself to stand. To face him. 

He doesn’t even look ashamed. How the hell can he even look me in the eyes right now? 

“You bastard,” I scream. “You absolute bastard.”

His eyes widen. I don’t know what he expected, how he thought I might react but as I slam my fists into his chest, he just takes it. 

“You fucked her.” I scream. “After everything, you fucked her.”

He grabs my wrists, forcing me to still. “I didn’t. You have to believe me.”

I scoff, shaking my head, pulling free, and aim a punch right to his damned face. “You think I can’t feel it? You think I don’t know when you’re with her? When you’re inside her?”

I can’t think straight. I can’t even bear to look at him. I flee the room, running as fast as I can because I can’t hear his lies anymore. 

Gods, he must think I really am stupid. He must believe I’m an actual idiot.