Page 27 of Shattered Soulmates

“You’re telling me you were experiencing nausea and vomiting on your way to run errands, but you only turned back because you forgot your purse, not because you were experiencing CMS symptoms?” she asks suspiciously.

“I don’t believe you. What’s your angle here, Marissa? I treated Paisley when she was going through Cheating Mate Syndrome, and there’s no way she could’ve driven. She could barely pull herself away from the toilet. She was immediately rushed into surgery because she had bleeding wounds.

“If what you’re saying is true, show me your stomach. I want to see the scars.”

I grab my shirt and hold it down, arms wrapped around myself.

“No. I don’t know why you won’t believe me, but I’m done with your attitude.”

“Get used to it, Marissa. I don’t know what you are playing at, but I don’t fool easily, and I’m not dumb enough to fall for your schemes.” Rachel warns, pointing a finger at my face.

“Paisley has suffered enough at your hands, and it needs to stop. Don’t think for a moment I don’t know you were behind that cruel prank on her Saturday night at the pack party. I’ll put a stop to you if it’s the last thing I do.”

She walks to the door, dragging her cart behind her. “Miles used to be a good guy until you twisted his mind. Straighten up and be a good mate to him, Marissa. Don’t you think it's time, after everything you’ve put himthrough? Although after what he did to Paisley, he pretty much deserves what’s coming for him.” She storms out, slamming the door behind her.

“Well! That didn’t work out as planned.”

I peek out the door to find the corridor empty. I begin to walk away when I spot a cardboard box marked in bold black letters:Amra,conveniently sitting on the nurse’s station counter.

When I pick it up, I see it’s labeledMedical Clinic, Wind Howl Pack, Attn: Rachel. The sender isA Healing Hand,the alchemist who manufactures Amra in Sparksburg.

I slip the rattling box into my bag, looking around to make sure I’m not seen. I hurriedly sneak out with my prize.

Looks like I’m finally going to have some fun tonight.

I giggle.

Once I’m back in our apartment, I lock the bathroom door behind me. Then, open the box and take a look inside. I realize there’s enough Amra in the box to last one person for months. Biting my lip, I mull over whether I should take out a couple of bottles and then return the remaining, but no, they’ll notice that someone has tampered with the seal.

I sit on the floor in front of the sink and take out an old, empty makeup bag. After taking a couple of capsules out of one bottle, I transfer the remaining bottles to the bag and put them in the back under my sink. I throw a towel over it and close the cabinet doors with a satisfied pat.

Putting the extra capsules in my nightstand drawer, I keep a couple and bounce off downstairs. It’s still early in the day. If I can get Miles to take these soon, it’ll probably mask any symptoms he might have tonight.

Going to the kitchen fridge, I pour Miles and me each a glass of orange juice. By now, he should be finished with his morning workout and ready for something cold to drink. I open the capsules and empty the powder into his glass. Using a teaspoon to stir it, I take the glasses to the pack gym.

“Hey, babe,” I call out to Miles, who’s covered in sweat and breathing heavily, standing next to Knight. It appears that he and Knight have been sparring. “Would you like some juice, Miles?” I offer the glass. He takes it and gulps it down greedily.

“Thanks! That hit the spot. That was very thoughtful of you.” He pulls me to him, and I give him a hungry kiss. I’m so excited about the prospect of going out tonight, now that he has taken his anti-CheatingMate Syndrome remedy for the day. I giggle with glee. I’m almost giddy.

Not interested in my glass of orange juice any longer, I offer it to Knight, who accepts it readily. All men can be led so easily and are absolute suckers. I could’ve spiked both their drinks with poison, and they’d be dead right now. Trusting fools.

“Miles, the girls and I are going to be doing a spa night tonight, if that is alright with you. Maybe you and the boys can have a poker night at the pack house or something.” I plot.

“That sounds like a great idea.” He agrees. “What do you think, Knight? Poker with the boys later?”

Knight nods. “Yeah. Could be fun.”

“It’s a date.” I sing-song as I turn and leave the gym. I have some plucking, shaving, and maintenance tasks to deal with. Tonight, Momma is going hunting for fresh meat! My smile is permanently fixed, and my motor is humming.

Chapter 11 – Caught by the All-Seeing Eye in the Sky

Miles

We hadn't been playing cards for an hour when the migraine began. Nausea and vomiting soon follow the pounding in my head.

“Guys,” I moan from the bathroom. “I think I need to take a rain check.” I spit and wipe my mouth, then flush the toilet. “Might be a stomach bug setting in.”

The guys start clearing up the spread we had laid out. “Let me take you down to med bay to get checked. They can give you something for nausea, too.” Knight offers.

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