CHAPTER 3: A SECOND CHANCE?

RAYA'S POV

Ever since Draco rejected me, I’d done everything to win him back, that included serving him in bed despite the rejection. Those were the few times he showed compassion.

Melissa quickly became my best friend. I was never alone with her by my side. She supported and cared for me in so many ways.

“Hey girl, you seem to have zoned out,” Melissa said, smiling.

“Sorry, I got caught up in my thoughts.”

“No problem. Quick, dish out the food. We’ve got an Alpha to win over,” she wriggled her eyebrows and giggled.

A smile tugged at my lips. “Thanks, Melissa. You're the best. I’m sure he won’t be able to resist this, especially with the potion you put in it.” I paused, frowning. “What exactly does the potion do again?”

I grabbed the soup and left the kitchen, Melissa trailing behind. “It makes him a little love-struck and heals the bond. That way, he’ll accept you back,” she explained.

We stopped outside Draco’s room. Melissa nudged me in with a reassuring smile. I took a deep breath, walked in, and shut the door behind me.

“Good morning, Draco. I brought your favourite meal,” I smiled, placing the tray in front of him.

“It’s Alpha Draco to you,” he ordered.

“Sorry,” I muttered.

He took a spoonful of the broth, his face scrunching in distaste.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like it?” I asked in alarm.

In irritation, he asked, “There’s a strange taste. What did you put in this?”

“The regular ingredients I always use,” I stuttered.

“Are you trying to poison me, Raya?” he bellowed.

“No! I would never,” I trembled. Had he noticed the potion? Melissa said it was untraceable. My thoughts scattered, panic rising.

Draco sprang to his feet, knocking the soup to the floor. “What came over you to poison my meal?”

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and twisted my head to make me look up at him.

“Please, Draco, it’s not poison. It’s just a special ingredient to enhance the soup,” I cried out.

“Enhance it how?”

I grabbed his fist behind my head, struggling for words. “Answer!” he snapped.

“It’s supposed to make you love me again.” Tears finally streamed down my face, my heart pounding.

To my surprise, Draco let go and softened his gaze. He carefully cupped my face, caressing my cheek with his thumb.

I stared at him warily. “I’m sorry. I just really wanted us back,” I sobbed.

“It’s alright, my love. I’ll accept you as my mate again,” he cooed, smiling.

My heart skipped. Was he serious? Or was it the potion? Regardless, my stomach did a flip in excitement.

I looked up at him, wide-eyed. “Do you mean it?” I asked in doubt,

“You don’t believe me?” He pouted, hurt. “I mean it, love. Besides, your wish is my command.” He smiled.

“Thank you, Draco. I love you,” I rambled, my heart soaring.

He leaned in, his lips brushing mine. For a moment, I froze, then closed my eyes, waiting for the kiss. But nothing came.

I opened my eyes to see a wolfish grin playing on his face. He pulled back, laughing condescendingly.

“Is that what you expected?” he sneered. “Me, madly in love with you?”

My heart shattered. Tears blurred my vision again.

“Foolish girl,” he growled, slapping me across the face. I fell to the floor, clutching my stinging cheek, dizziness clouding my thoughts.

More sobs wracked my body, fear shaking me. “I’m sorry. Please, forgive me.”

“Save your apology.” He kicked me, causing me to scream. “Please, Draco, stop. I won’t do it again!” I cried, but he sneered at my pleas.

Suddenly, Melissa burst into the room. “Draco, please stop!” She crouched beside me, dragging me away from his reach.

“Ugh, what are you doing here?” I groaned. She ignored me and helped me up.

Draco glared at me, his disgust obvious. “Get her out of here. I never want to see her face again.”

He shot Melissa a knowing look. She nodded. I wondered what that was about.

Melissa dragged me out of the mansion to the horse stall. My body still ached, but it was bearable. By now, my face must have been swollen.

“Let’s go for a little hunt. We’ll return when he’s cooled down,” Melissa urged with a half-smile.

“Um, okay. That’s fine,” I replied quietly.

We got on the horses and began riding through the forest, the steady gallop the only audible noise.

“Melissa,” I called, breaking the silence.

“Yes?”

“You said the potion wouldn’t be detectable to Draco. How, then, did he know?” I asked, suspicion creeping into my tone.

She hesitated before replying, “Sorry. I added a drop more than required.”

“Okay…” I sighed, rubbing my belly. “I’m just glad my little swell of life is safe. Since the potion didn’t work, maybe this pup in me will.”

Melissa suddenly looked distressed. “Raya, I’ve got to go. There’s something I need to handle. Just keep going—I’ll find you.”

Before I could reply, she turned her horse and rode off, leaving me stunned. I watched her disappear into the trees before continuing at a slow pace, unease biting at me.

The forest grew eerily quiet. Then, a rustle of leaves broke the stillness. My heart sank. A flash of movement caught my eye, and fear gripped me as I recalled how badly such encounters had ended before.

A huge man from my pack stepped out from the shadows.

“Why are you here?” I yelled, trying to mask my fear. He didn’t answer; he just stared at me with an unnerving intensity.

I turned my horse, ready to leave, but a sudden force slammed into me, knocking me off the saddle. “Argh!” I shrieked as pain exploded through my body.

The man stood over me, his fists landing merciless blows until darkness claimed me.

I woke up to my body aching in pain, “oww”, the whole room was engulfed in darkness,

I froze in the silence as a dreadful thought seeped into me. My tummy felt empty. I touched my belly and then the floor, noticing the pool of blood beneath me.

“No, no, no, no,” I mumbled in denial. I couldn't have lost my child, not again. I burst out crying bitterly. Anger creeping into my bones.

I was still weeping when the door to the room flung open, flooding it with light.

The man who captured me stepped in, Melissa standing beside him. “Raya, I’m glad you’re awake,” she said, her face expressing pity.

I didn’t understand what was happening, but I was glad she was here. “Melissa, what’s going on? Why am I here?”

I struggled to sit up, trying to look at her.

She eyed me in thought. “You’ll find out soon enough”

I stared, wide-eyed. “What do you mean by that?”

She crouched to my level, a bitter smile on her lips, the man handed her a dagger. “For the sake of our friendship, I'll be honest with you, Draco and I have been having an affair. As for why I've captured you here,” she paused. “It's because I need you dead; you're more useful that way. You know I was rescued by Draco when I had nowhere to go, I don't want that to change which is why I need to do this”

My heart shattered. Tears streamed down my face. Nothing could take away the pain I felt. It never crossed my mind that Melissa and Draco were having an affair, but now I realized it was painfully clear. I’d been too dumb to notice.

I cupped my face in my palms. “Why did you befriend me? Why play the role of my best friend till the end? Why?” I yelled, my voice thick with anger.

I raised my head, staring her in the eye. She flinched, guilt flickering in her eyes.

She sighed. “You’re naive, and it's best it remains that way; some things are better left unsaid, Raya, I was always your friend, but there's only so far that can go. I’ve got bigger goals, and Right now, you’re in my way.” Her tone was final.

“I have to end this chit-chat,” she said, leaning over and pushing me flat to the floor.

“Melissa, I trusted you, don’t do this to me. Please!” I wriggled, trying to escape her hold.

She raised the dagger. My eyes locked on its shiny tip, a crippling fear coursing through me.

I didn’t want to die. My heart pounded mercilessly, my breath ragged. “Melissa, please!”

She plunged the dagger toward my heart. Clips of my life flashed before my eyes—Lason, my unborn pup, Draco, my parents. The pain was unbearable.

After all, I’d been through, this was how I was going to die? I took one last look at Melissa. “I'm sorry”, she whispered; her eyes showed regret before shifting to that indifference.

With my last breath, I swore to myself: if I ever had the chance, I would avenge myself and my pup. I didn’t know how, but I would.

Everything went dark.

***

I shot my eyes open as if waking from a bad dream. The sun glared against my face. I was lying on a bed, wrapped in a soft duvet.

It didn't make sense, I remembered dieing just a moment ago,

“where am I?” in an instant memories that weren't mine flooded into my mind causing a scream to erupt from me,

Someone burst in, yelling words I couldn’t hear over the ringing in my ears. “Hera are you alright?” a voice asked, filled with concern.

I opened my eyes, squinting at the figure beside me, only to be met by eyes glistening with disbelief. I managed to croak out, “Who are you and who is Hera?”

“Have you forgotten your mom?” The woman’s voice cracked. Under further scrutiny, I realized who she was—Draco’s mother.