Page 73 of Her Arranged Alpha
"Something wrong?" Maddox asked, tilting his head as he gave me a look.
I shook my head. "Nope. Have a good day."
He smiled, seeming ready to say something himself, but paused. "You as well."
He turned, slipping back into the hallway, and I grumbled as I sank back into the pillow. I groaned, wishing I could just admit my feelings. Why was it so hard for me?
After sitting in my own pity for twenty minutes, I finally got up. I got dressed in some ratty clothes. I didn't mind getting dirty, so I pulled my hair up into a messy bun. I went downstairs and made myself a cup of coffee.
I glanced through the list of herbs that Hope sent me that the healers needed. I made a mental check, knowing where each would grow and just how far I would have to go into the woods to gather it.
I packed up a couple of empty bags and made my way to the car. I drove near a park that was near the woods, which would have better options for picking. I headed inside and felt a skip in my step.
I inhaled the air, knowing it had rained a little last night. The ground was a little wet, and water dripped off the leaves. The wind blew softly, and I felt more relaxed as I walked.
I found some wood sage and packed it into the bag. I found some lavender as I walked, packing it carefully into my bag. I wander the woods, taking in all the trees and the sound of the river that runs through them.
I could hear birds chirping and bugs buzzing. It was wonderful, and I closed my eyes, taking it in.
"Jillian.” A voice said, drawing my name out.
My body tensed up, and I frowned. I looked over my shoulder and frowned. Surely, I was hearing things.
"Jillian…"
I scowled, narrowing my eyes at a large tree to the left of me. I knew that it was likely the guys from before who were screwing with me again. It only angered me.
"It's not funny," I snapped and started walking towards the tree. "It just makes you an ass."
I rounded the tree expecting to find them, but there was no one. I heard no footsteps, no movement, meaning I was alone.
Was I hearing things? I couldn't be. I was wearing the bracelets, and they wouldn't allow me to use magic, and in turn, no magic could touch me. That was what the Council said.
I swallowed, biting my cheek tightly.
Don't panic. Panicking only makes everything worse.
"Jillian…you can't run from me." The voice was closer, louder this time. I could hear the shift and the irritation in the tone. What I hated most was that I knew that voice.
I stopped breathing, and my entire body went still like a statue. I stared deep into the woods, expecting him to emerge.
"You think those little things are going to save you?" The bracelets moved, turning slightly to the left and then to the right. I felt like there were hands on me, but there wasn't. I was alone.
And suddenly the bracelets shattered. The beads burst apart, and the wire holding them together fell to the ground. I inhaled slowly as I heard him louder now, echoing around my mind.
"You can't run from what is expected of you. You will turn against the person you love so dearly."
I shook my head. "No.." My words came out in a whisper.
I could hear him chuckle. "It wasn't a request."
My body turned slightly, and I jerked back at the motion. It was like someone pushed me in the back, and I hated it. I knew this feeling. I knew it all too well.
I shook my head, digging my nails into the dirt. "No. You can't make me do anything."
"It will only hurt the more you pull against me, Jillian. Just accept your fate."
I felt tears bloom, hating how he was pushing anger onto me. I could feel his rage like it was my own, and I hated it. This wasn't me. This wasn't who I wanted to be.
