Rejected, Abused, I Fall for the Forbidden Alpha (by Riley Scott) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Third Person POV

The first thing she notices is the pain. A sharp, burning sensation that throbs with the slightest movement. Her eyes flutter open ever so slowly, and she blinks at the bright white light, temporarily blinded as it dawns on her that she’s in a hospital bed. Just as she struggles to sit up, a voice instantly sounds from beside her, shocking her into stillness.

“Let me help.”

Raven. Marissa’s eyes widen as her ex-nemesis rushes to her aid, sitting her up and plumping pillows behind her back as though it comes naturally, no sign of wariness or suspicion on her face.

“What are you doing here?” Marissa rasps, Raven seating herself beside the bed. “I thought that you…”

“You saved my life, Marissa,” Raven interrupted, shaking her head, her eyes narrowed, “I owe you.”

“You owe me nothing,” Marissa almost snapped, “I tried to kill you, and that’s not counting everything I’ve ever done over the years. I should be locked up in a dungeon awaiting my execution.”

Raven’s expression was solemn. “Is that what you want?”

Marissa gives a bitter laugh. “Of course not, but it’s the least I deserve. Nobody’s ever going to trust me now. I have no mate,” she added, her tone softening, “and I doubt that anybody would want me either. Hell, maybe executing me would be merciful.”

She didn’t mean it, though. Not all of it.

“Marissa, we have a lot of history between us,” Raven exhaled, leaning closer and studying Marissa intently, “but I’m not blameless either. There were some good times between us growing up,” she reminded, “and the fact you took an arrow meant for me shows me that you’ve changed. Nobody is beyond saving,” she added.

“Really?” Marissa’s tone was filled with self-loathing, “That’s just a way of trying to comfort me Raven, instead of dealing out the cold, harsh truth. Our old pack is gone,” she said, blinking back tears, “and no amount of remorse or guilt will ever bring those innocent pack members back. I should take responsibility for that.”

“Except you never gave the hunters the information. Darius already had it,” Raven said softly, “and no matter what, he would have done it anyway. MaryAnne was just the catalyst, the scapegoat he needed to justify it. What kind of woman keeps a hunter as a confidant, knowing what they are capable of, Marissa?” she said softly,” except one who no longer cares about the consequences of their actions or one whose already lost to her own inner demons. MaryAnne was unhinged, but you’re not. You can see the difference between right and wrong.”

“I take it I’m still at your pack?” Marissa ventured, “Or did you take me further away for everybody’s safety?” she whispered.

“You’re still at my pack.”

“The hunters?” Marissa said, paling, “Are they all…”

“Dead,” Raven supplied calmly, “every single one of them. We didn’t let any of them live.”

“What about your pack members?” Marissa swallowed hard, “Did anybody get hurt?”

Raven shook her head, and Marissa had never felt more relieved. She exhaled slowly, feeling her body relax. “Your injury was severe,” Raven said as Marissa simply looked at her, “the arrow was poisoned. You almost died, Marissa,” she added, “if I hadn’t gotten you here in time, you would have. You took a huge risk.”