Page 17 of Alpha's Hated Mate

The man moves a step down the table before inserting the needle into the woman’s pregnant belly. Her screams are silent but pain floods her face.

STOP! I lunge forward to reach for her, but the scene changes.

It looks like the same place but a different room. The white-haired man is surrounded by beakers and laboratory equipment, like a mad scientist. The air is dank and musty with a hint of a burned smell.

Behind him looms a cell with metal bars and concrete walls. The dark-haired woman is seated on the ground within the enclosure, still clad in the tattered white gown.

He holds a small syringe now filled with red liquid. I can hear him speak this time.

“This is it,” he says. “Everything we’ve worked toward.”

The woman looks on anxiously as he injects the red liquid into his arm. The sound of a baby cries in the background.

I jolt awake, cold and shivering . . .

“Saffron! Oh, thank God.”

Everything around me is white. I squint as the world blends back into view, and Yarra’s purple hair comes into focus. Her eyes stare down at me, wide and worried.

And all at once, I realize where I am. I’m lying on the floor of the locker room shower, naked, my skin still wet.

Shit . . . I’ve had another vision.

“Back up! Give her some room!”

Professor Kayne bursts into the showers, and suddenly, I realize everyone else in class is gathered around me. They all do as they’re told and back away as the professor covers me with a large towel and helps me sit up.

“Saffron?” Yarra takes my hands. “Honey, say something.”

My mouth is dry, and my damp hair is sticking to my face. “Something,” I respond.

She laughs, and it’s a sound of utter relief.

Professor Kayne says, “We should get her to the infirmary.”

“I’m fine,” I manage to say, pushing myself into a seated position.

“You could have hit your head.”

Everyone looks confused, like I’d just changed into a giant Fairy. Yarra’s eyes are filled with concern. No one moves. Not even the professor.

“Really, I’m fine. I just need a little rest.” I plead with Yarra. “Please?”

“O-okay. . .” Yarra turns to Professor Kayne. “I’ll take her back to her room. She just needs a little rest.”

Professor Kayne nods and stands up. “All right, you heard her. Nothing to see here.” He shoos everyone away, and Yarra and I are alone in the shower.

She helps me to my feet. “Let’s get some clothes on and get out of here.”

Yarra gave me space to get my thoughts together as we got dressed. Everyone else in the class gave us a wide berth. Thank goodness for small favors.

She doesn’t say anything to me until we’re outside. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I pause. I don’t knowhowto talk about this vision. I guess it’s because it’s different this time. After a moment of silence, I tell Yarra about it. She listens as we talk on our way back to thedorm. When I get back to my room, she stays silent, her lips pursed as she analyzes what I’ve said.

I lie down on my bed, and as soon as my face hits the cool pillow, I feel like I could fall asleep right here. Visions sometimes take a lot out of me.

“You know, maybe Professor Kayne was right. You should see a healer or something.”

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