Rejected, Abused, I Fall for the Forbidden Alpha (by Riley Scott) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Aeress rolls her eyes and turns away, tugging Jackson with her, vanishing into the crowd without a trace.

I walk away, sneaking into the packhouse and heading towards Hade’s study. His door is ajar, and loud voices could be heard clearly as he begins to argue with Marissa. Clearly, this was the last straw for Hades.

I open the door to the room opposite and carefully slide inside, closing the door so that there’s a small crack and peer through it.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Marissa?” Hades bursts out, “what is with this whole jealousy act you’ve got going on?” he snarled.

She sniffles. “I swear I didn’t know she was your sister, and you have no right to scold me,” she cried, “have you any idea how you’ve made me feel tonight?” she demands.

Ah, the typical turn it back on him approach. She never failed to amaze me. She was going from being the aggressor to the victim. Classic.

“How you feel?” Hade’s voice is incredulous, “You just embarrassed yourself in front of important guests. Embarrassed me and my pack,” he snapped.

“You don’t know anything,” Marissa’s voice breaks, “you don’t even see me, do you? I’m wearing this beautiful dress, which costs thousands of dollars, my makeup is perfect, along with my hair and I might as well be invisible for all the attention you’ve given me tonight. You won’t even let me hold your hand or touch you!” she shouted, sounding exasperated.

“I don’t like public displays of affection. I don’t like affection at all,” Hade’s voice is icy.

“You don’t like it, or you don’t like me?” Marissa asked, upset.

“But I’ve already started to fall for you,” she breathes, “I can’t help it Hades. Surely you…” she trailed off as he interrupted her.

“Then you’re making a big mistake because I will never be able to return those feelings. We can either break the engagement now, and you can walk away, or you can put those feelings aside and go back to adhering to the contract. What’s it going to be?”

He was callous. Cold. Distant. Marissa didn’t dare continue trying to persuade him.

“You’re heartless,” she whimpered, “but I still want the engagement. I’ll change your mind,” she said, refusing to believe he wouldn’t reciprocate her feelings…

“I assure you I won’t.” His voice is harsh. “But if that’s what you want to believe, then so be it. Now, leave. I want a few minutes to gather my thoughts, and you should go fix up your makeup before you go outside.”

Ouch. Marissa’s sobs grow louder, and she ran out of the study, her makeup smeared and tears falling continuously down her face. I smile slowly to myself.