Beneath the surface: Forbidden love
Chapter 17

Marisela

It was a few minutes past noon when I was sat at the table in the gardens waiting for Rosa. Cory stood only a few meters behind me. The garden was an immense oasis with a variety of flowers, trees, and bushes. I was sitting in the middle of the garden, under an open gazebo. Beautiful red and pink roses surrounded the railings.

A few minutes pass, and Rosa finally graces me with her presence. I begin to stand but she stops me before taking a seat of her own.

"Please sit, sorry I took so long, something came up." She says. I hear Cory chuckle to the side.

"Good morning." I smile at her as she sits.

"Morning sweetheart." She smiles.

A servant walks in carrying a tray with two cups of tea and a tea pot. He bows and places it on the table. Another servant brings in another tray, only this one was covered. Once he places it down and removes the lid, there was a bunch of freshly baked goods.

"Thank you." Rosa smiles at them, they bow once more and leave.

"Now where were we." She smiles turning to face me, "How are you and Kael?" She asks catching me by surprise.

Okay, right to it I guess.

"We're good- Great actually." I say truthfully. The events of last night begin to play in my mind making me feel a little hot. Rosa smiles knowingly at my sudden change.

"That's good to hear." She grins but doesn't push further.

Thank God, I really didn't want to be having that kind of conversation with my soon to be mother in-law.

"Well, I understand that I can't keep you for long, I had a surprise visit from Kael, on the way here." She says, "he told me not to take too long with you" she rolls her eyes and I chuckle,

oh Kael.

"So I'm going to get straight to it." She begins, I sit up paying attention to her.

"The coronation is coming up soon, so there is a lot that has to be done." She explains and I nod.

"Yes I'm aware of this. Kael explained it briefly to me." I tell her.

"Great! " She beams excitedly making me chuckle, ''Given that we are a traditional country, the coronation will involve the whole Kingdom. Preparations have already begun so we should probably get started on your dress, we're already behind on schedule...'' she rambles, '' You're going to be Queen to an entire nation of not just humans but werewolves too, you have to look- '' The look on my face makes her halt in her speech.

''Are you alright dear?" She asks sounding genuinely concerned. I start to feel my heart drop, at the realization of everything.

Was I ready for all of this? Was I ready to be Queen?

''Sorry your majesty- I mean Rosa." I correct, "it's just- I- I'm not-"

"Ready?" She takes the words right out of my mouth. I look at her, worried that I would see disappointment, but was surprised to see a look of understanding.

"Listen my dear," she warmly takes my hands in hers, " no one is ever truly ready to run an entire kingdom much less an entire species. Truthfully I'd be more worried if you said you were okay." I can't help but let out a nervous laugh.

"It's just that-" I sigh, "I knew what me being here was expected of me, and I guess the thought of it didn't sound bad , but just hearing it, scares me a little."

Honestly, I knew that, yes, at some point, I will be crowned Queen. But now, I'm not only a queen to a kingdom, I'll be Queen to an entire species of werewolves all around the world. That was a lot of responsibility and quite frankly, I don't know if I'm ready for it.

"Kael and I did speak about this, but not in detail," I tell her, "He never mentioned that preparations were already in order. I thought I still had time."

"Oh," she says surprised, " I apologize for throwing this all on you, but Marisela, I want you to understand," she begins, "we are both aware of this prophecy, so a lot has changed and because of that, things are different now. "

"We don't know what is to come out of this prophecy, but you and my son have an entire nation that needs you, they need to see the power and strength that you two have together to make the people believe and fight along side you. We all believe that you and Kael can change the prophecy, you just need to believe in yourself." Tears begin to fill in my eyes at her words. I never really saw it like that. I guess with all that has been going on, I never really actually took a step back to see things for what they are now.

''I suppose you're right.'' I nod. "Could we possibly rearrange another meeting tomorrow after I have spoken with Kael. At least by then I will have a clear understanding of everything. I just need one more day to fully come to terms with everything. The last thing I want is to disappoint you and everyone else, including Kael." Rosa smiles and nods her head in understanding.

"Of course dear."

All of a sudden, there was a huge commotion coming from inside the castle grounds followed by a loud explosion. Cory and four other guards- who I had never seen before- came rushing to Rosa and I.

"Your majesties," Cory speaks, "please you have to come with us quickly." In a panic, both Rosa and I follow them.

Rosa holds my hand and pulls me closer to her like a mother protecting her child in a time of danger, much so like right now.

What the hell is going on?!

We follow Cory and the rest of the guards to a pathway that leads to the forest. They were leading us away from the castle grounds. Cory leads the way while the guards hastily walk beside Rosa and I.

I didn't understand why Cory was leading us away from the castle.

Away from Kael.

Oh God, Kael! I hope he is okay.

Something about this didn't sit well with me.

''Cory, where are we going?'' Rosa asks.

Instead of answering her, Cory ignores her and carries on walking. That was strange. I look at Rosa who wore the same look I had. In the distance, I could you hear the slight sound of waves.

We were nearing the ocean.

''Cory!'' I call him, but like Rosa, he ignores me and continues walking.

''Something isn't right.'' Rosa whispers to me, her arm tightening around me.

''I know.'' I whisper back. Rosa and I stop walking. Immediately as if sensing that we had stopped walking, Cory turns around and faces us with a faraway look.

''Come on, we're almost there.'' he urges us towards the ocean.

''Cory, what's going on?'' Rosa asks again. Cory looks at her confused.

''The Alpha gave me specific instructions on where to take you if something like this happens.'' he says, ''I need to get you both to safety." Something about what he said seemed a bit off.

Did they know something was going to happen? Surely Kael would have mentioned something to me, right?

I look at the four guards standing beside us. They look straight ahead at the path before us, their gaze cold, almost robotic.

My eyes try to focus on what they were looking at. Nothing was there. So what were they looking at? Where were they taking us?

I couldn't help this feeling that we weren't alone. Someone or something was out there watching us.

Rosa turns to me expectantly, and hesitantly nods at Cory. We continue to follow Cory in the direction he takes us, and in no time we find ourselves at a clearing by the beach front.

Surprisingly there was no one there. I turn to Cory who looks to be having an inner turmoil with himself.

''Cory, I was under the impression that we will be meeting Kael here.'' I ask. Cory doesn't say a word, instead he stands up straight, his face void of no emotion, cold and distant, like a switch was turned off. The rest of the guards look the same.

Almost as if they are in a trance.

oh no!

''Rosa, we have-''

''Marisela watch out!''

It was too late. Out of no where, something was thrown over my head. It was heavy, damp, and it had a strong intoxicating smell that made me dizzy instantly. Black dots start to cover my vision, and in no time I was pulled into an oblivion of darkness.

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