Page 81 of His Bullied Fated Mate

Riley looked at me, unsure of what to do with him. He looked broken as he took a step towards me. “Janella…please explain.”

Tears broke free. “The dark magic is inside me.”

Riley frowned. “Sweetie, I told you…”

“Can’t you smell it?”

This made Riley freeze up. He looked at me, really looked me over, and then I watched the realization set in. He could smell the difference.

He shook his head. “I don’t care.”

I couldn’t risk it. I didn’t want to accidentally hurt him or take away what little control he had over his anger. I shook my head at him. “I can’t risk hurting you, Riley.”

“You’re not going to hurt me.”

“I don’t want to find out.”

He sighed. “Janella, you're standing fully clothed in the shower. Please understand how this looks and how worried it makes me.”

I turned the water off, still feeling hot all over. He grabbed a towel and held it out. “I’ll go grab you some other clothes if you want to change.”

I nodded, suddenly feeling cold, and I started to shiver. Riley brought me clothes, and I changed. I found him sitting on the bed when I walked back into the room. He was rubbing his hands together, his legs bouncing.

“I’m sorry.”

He pulled his gaze up. “Janella, you are not evil. That smell does change that. It’s not your magic. I can still smell the sweetness.”

I knew that. I could still feel my own magic, and it must be fighting because my body was going through so many emotions. I was hot and suddenly cold. My palms would grow sweaty and suddenly dry a moment later.

He reached a hand out, and I shook my head. He frowned. “Janella, you aren’t going to hurt me.”

“I don’t want to take a chance. And I don’t want to somehow transfer this to you.”

“You won’t.”

“How else did I get it?” I asked, my mind traveling to the cauldron. I touched it. That zap I’d felt was not just a zap, but rather its magic clinging onto me.

“Or maybe the magic knew you were part of the pack and it’s affecting you as well now.”

I didn’t know what had happened, but we needed to be careful either way. “Either way, Riley, we have to be logical about this.” I swallowed. “I have been using my magic to calm you…I don’t want the opposite to happen.”

I watched his shoulders sag. “I…” He stumbled for words but finally nodded. “Okay. But I want you to see someone at the infirmary about this.”

I shook my head. “I can’t risk hurting anyone.”

“And I can’t risk you or the baby.” His voice was firm. “Please understand that. I understand your worry about me, but mine is about you and the baby.”

I placed my hands on my stomach. I chewed on my lower lip. “Okay. I’ll see someone.”

I went to the infirmary later, after I had called and spoken with Sherry. She had me come after hours so no one else would be around. She was careful and explained that she didn’t know how to pull it out, but she did know a way for a person to protect themselves.

“The baby will be fine.” She said, sitting in the chair across from me. “But if you don’t get your temperature and start eating again, it won’t be.”

“You’re sure the baby is okay?”

She nodded. “Your baby is still so little that the magic won’t attach yet. It’s still trying to win against yours. But thisneeds to be resolved fast. The more you fight it, the quicker your body is going to start growing tired.”

Over the next few days, I remained in bed. I used my magic to push the dark magic down, but I could still feel it fighting. I tried to eat, forcing myself to hold the food down. Riley was always around. His eyes were watching me everywhere I went.