Chapter 10- He Doesn't Want Me SERENA'S POV 

The sun rays pushed through the sun and I blinked rapidly trying to understand what was going on and where I was.

The last thing I remembered was I was standing with Derrick and the servant woman and the fight.

Somehow, something felt different now, it was as if I had been transported into a new world.

I sat up slowly. The room was so magnificent, worthy of a Queen.

I was lying on a massive bed with heavy drapes of dark velvet which sat in the center of much beauty.

Everything seemed to shimmer in an almost unnatural way, including the sleek contemporary furniture. I wondered again where I was as I brushed my hand over the plush silks as I reached out to balance myself on the bed's edge. 

 It was  too lovely. Too tidy. I felt confused.

Where was Derrick ?

My mind races as it worked to piece together what had happened . My last memory was of Derrick calling my name.

 The world had been a blur of panic growls and footsteps. Then. pain. As I fell I could hear Derrick calling my name and felt a sudden intense pain in my side. 

But here I am now. Not feeling any pain. Not hurt. When I ran my hand over my stomach I only felt smooth flesh. 

The wound was not open. It felt like it had healed up. This was so strange.

I stood up slowly trying to find my balance as my eyes spun in my head.

 

Then just as I stood up,  there was a smell. It was such a familiar scent that it pulled at my very core. I felt my heart skip a beat. No. It's not possible. It smelled like him.

 That scent

 I instinctively followed the pull. 

I pushed the door open, the hallways appeared to go on forever into the unknown, marble floors. high ceilings. 

Everything appeared immaculate and undisturbed. How did I find myself in this place? 

Derrick, where are you ? I wanted to scream.

I followed the scent as it took me through a tangle of hallways, each one grander than the one before until I arrived at an office. 

The door was partially open and I could see him through the gap. My heart fell and instead of going in, I stared at him.

Derrick. He was looking different now, more handsome and so serious as he looked through a book. His presence was almost commanding and his dark slightly disheveled hair looked flawless. 

I wanted to go as I saw her.

What was most heartbreaking though was the woman who was standing beside him. I felt nauseous as her laughter echoed in my ears. She had a striking appearance. with a face that looked like it belonged to an angel and long flowing hair. 

She appeared to be at home as she grinned up at Derrick. He looked at her and his lips quivered in response. 

He was with her rather than merely speaking with her. After that it came as a huge blow to me. My mate's scent which had brought me here stopped. At this very door. And that was it. 

It was unbelievable but Derrick was my mate . Everything made sense including the connection and the scent. 

But my stomach turned into knots when I saw him .

She came and sat on his lap as she kissed him.

My heart fell and my eyes watered.

 I couldn't tell whether the betrayal or his scent was choking me. 

I had no idea how to feel or what to do. Anger,sadness and confusion fought in me. My body wouldn't listen so I should have turned around left and returned to my room but I remained motionless and couldn't take my eyes off of him. 

“ Serena.” He called, titling his head .

It felt like a face-slap to hear my name said so carefully and softly. 

I said nothing at all. I just stared at him feeling a lot of emotions that I couldn't process. 

His tone changed and the woman beside him noticed it. She was talking to him and as she laughed she tended to hit his hand playfully.

She knew something was wrong as Derrick stopped listening to her and as she followed his gaze and saw me, a mask of anger came on her face.

“ Who is this?” She asked with fake sweetness Derrick's eyes never left mine and he took a while to respond. The weight of the prolonged silence descended upon us like an unliftable cloud. It seemed like an eternity passed before he spoke again

“Serena.” He said.” You shouldn't be here.”

Really?

This was it?

 The way his eyes lingered on her without even trying to hide it. I knew of what had happened but I could sense from the sensation in my chest that he no longer wanted me. 

I wanted to tell him that he was my mate but I knew now that things had changed and he hadn't given a damn about me.

 I was just another slip-up. “I apologize.”I managed to whisper but as soon as I said it it felt false.

“ I apologize for interrupting. “ I turned to walk away after giving him one last glance but his voice interrupted me. “Hold on. . 

 I wanted to distance myself from him as much as I could. But I couldn't, perhaps it was because I was still drawn to him—that painful desperate bond between us. Or perhaps it was because I was worried about how I would feel if I actually did  leave.

 The lady looked between me and Derrick and I could see that she was angry and didn't like the fact that I was here.

In Fact she didn't like me because I could see how she looked at me with disgust.

“I think I should leave Derrick.” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

I didn't want to continue seeing this woman's face.

“Derrick?” She gasped. “ Did she just call you by your name?”

And at the moment I was confused.