Chapter 33: Resurrected
1180 Words
Lucy’s POV
Darkness filled everything.
Extremely cold, and the pain in my body was unbearable.
It was giving me the sensation of someone drowning and burning simultaneously.
My lungs were pleading and screaming for a little bit of air as the river mercilessly dragged me under with them. I fought hard, did everything to free myself, my legs were very weak, my arms numb feeling like I didn't own them. The last thing I could vividly recall from the incident was Vick’s wicked hands cruelly shoving me. The rush of air that followed immediately, or was it the deafening silence created before the crash eventually happened?
Then, next, I battled with the cold bite of water.
And right now…
And right now, I coughed violently, still choking dangerously as water spewed from my mouth. My throat at this point felt raw. Every breath I managed to take was a battle.
“She’s finally breathing!” A voice screamed in excitement nearby. “Quick, carry her out immediately, see her stomach, she’s even pregnant!”
My eyes, sensing the presence around me, fluttered open. I could see different shadows hovering above me; they appeared blurred, and the shapes moved quickly and turned my eyes.
I tried my best to speak, but all I could release was a whisper, my voice thinning out even more. “Where…?”
“Don’t try to talk,” a deep voice said, kneeling beside me. You’re very safe with us. Just breathe very well.”
What does he mean by safe?
Safe doesn't exist anymore, especially in my world.
My hand immediately shot to locate my belly.
I gasped on remembering I'm pregnant.
It was still there; nothing had happened to it. It was still full, but with a faint kick.
Tears of joy escaped freely from my eyes, almost blinding me. “They’re okay. Nothing happened to them, but we are okay.”
The man beside me, whom I learned is way taller than he appears to be, with rugged, smoky eyes giving off the vibes of wildfire, suddenly nodded like he had been watching me. “You’re damn so lucky. That fall is capable of killing anyone, talk more of a pregnant woman."
I stared at him, still not believing a stranger helped me stay alive. “Who… who exactly are you? Why did you help me?”
He smiled slightly. “My name is Kael, an Alpha of the Forgotten in a strange land. You are free to address us as ...rogues sort of.”
Rogues?
“I haven't had many interactions with rogues,” I said.
“Well,” he started, his eyes darting around like he was scanning for danger. “Good thing we don’t tolerate wicked souls, especially murderers. We had pulled you out of the river when we saw your body sinking deep into the water. It's obvious someone close to you wanted you gone so badly.”
That made me jolt back to panic alert, my body screaming for defence. “Selene and Vick. They are...”
“Shhh.” A woman who seemed to be standing close by the whole time suddenly appeared beside him, also kneeling to my level. “You definitely need rest. You’re still healing and shouldn't stress yourself talking.”
“I don’t think I should rest now, please!" I snapped, pushing my luck for them to release me, as I tried sitting up. “They think I’m dead and gone forever! Ryker thinks the worst right now, that I’m dead!”
Kael gently and firmly helped me to sit upright. “And that’s your major reason for going back without resting? You want to rush home while still weak so that they can easily throw you off the cliff again, and this time, with a target so that you won't smell life again?"
I glared at him, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips, but I refused to show it. “They won’t even get the chance to see me, talk of carrying out their evil plan.”
“That's fiery,” he muttered, somehow amused, then exchanged a knowing look with the woman, whose identity I haven't found out if she's his sister or his mate. “I like her already.”
“Touch me one more time, and I won't hesitate to rip your throat out,” I hissed angrily.
He laughed heartily, clearly enjoying my company. “I like her type of person, scarce to find.”
“Kael,” the woman suddenly called in a warning tone, “stop provoking her the more. The experience had left her traumatised.”
“Traumatised, yes, but this had all made me stronger, and not broken,” I whispered almost to myself alone.
Kael leaned in closer, no more pulling pranks on me. “What’s your beautiful name, darling she wolf?”
I hesitated, not knowing if telling him my real name was safe.
Then I told him, my voice coming out way steadier than I expected.
“Lucy Castellano. Surviving heir to the almost extinct Castellano Empire. Mate to an Alpha, Ryker Nightbane. And I’m not going down without a fight with everything that happened.”
Kael's eyes widened in shock. “Did you just say Castellano, huh? We heard different interesting rumors. Never thought I would be so lucky and honored to fish out royalty from the river.”
I gritted my teeth at how dramatic he was, even in trouble. “They cruelly betrayed me. I won’t take any rest until the moment they all pay.”
“You’ve got such amazing guts,” Kael said. “And if all you narrated here is true, then girl, I did announce to you, you’ve also got enemies in bulk. Big ones at that matter.”
I nodded slowly, still, thinking of the way out. “And I seriously need allies.”
He leaned back, like someone with a plan. “Hmm, that's cool. But what about seeing how fast you can get back in shape, princess? Then maybe, at that time, we can comfortably talk about war.”
A few hours later…
I was placed to sit by the fire in the cave, with a huge blanket wrapped around me. Even with the care they had given me, every bone in my body still aches badly. My babies survived, very safe like their mother. At this point, that's all that mattered to me.
But in Ryker's mind, I was dead, and he had lost me.
From afar, I could already feel how broken he was. He coiled back into his shell, not attending council meetings, and blaming himself for not protecting me or us enough.
“I’m still alive,” I whispered like I was talking to someone, but it was into the night. “Don’t get weary of looking for me.”
Because I will definitely return, alive and shame my enemies.
But this time, I will be stronger, smarter, and unforgiving.
And when I eventually do return?
There would be a lot of blood flow.
- Writer
