Alpha Ryland

Chapter 34

Maura's POV:
I know something was up the moment I was brought into the room with Ryland. Dylan would never show something like this to me without a reason. I look at the maid handing over my tea and I take the cup from her. I glance over at Ryland and Dylan, then back at my tea.

Glistening on the inside of the cup, just on top of my tea, sticking on the side of my cup are layers of sugar that shouldn't be there. I move the cup back and forth a few times to see a hidden message on the cup. In hard to see letters, reads the word: Act.

My father must have put this here. When he came into the room yesterday, he said that I would have to act to get through this situation. He warned me that Dylan is going to take my memories away, so if my dad made this tea, he wouldn't have done what he did on accident. I know what I have to do.

Dylan walks to me and looks at my cup, "Something wrong?" He asks me and I move the tea around in my cup, letting the tea dissolve away the sugar on the side to erase the secret message. "None at all, just thought it smelled weird."

He looks worried for a split second, but then composes himself, "Drink. It will make you feel better." I nod my head, knowing that he was worried because I might not have drunk this. I know for sure that he is trying to erase my memories now. When I take the first drink, Ryland speaks up.

"Maura, no!" He yells perfectly. I put down the cup from my lips and look at him, Dylan puts the cup back to my mouth, "Drink."

"Maura, please listen to me and don't drink that!" Ryland chokes out. I shut my eyes tight. I'm so sorry Ryland. I have to do this. Please don't be mad at me.

"Drink it now, Maura. You wanted the tea. Drink." Dylan argues.

"Maura, my Love, no matter what you did with Dylan in the past, I don't care about it. You didn't know me back then so I can't hate you for it. Please don't drink that anymore. I'd rather die than die heartbroken." He tells me. My heart is clenching too tight in my chest. I finish most of the drink, leaving some in my cup, and drop it. It falls onto the ground and shatters. The liquid falls out of it with no containment, splashing any surface it comes into contact with. I stare at the far wall, pretending to be affected by a memory eraser. Ryland screams for me, but I cannot let his words get to me. I have to act and pretend in order to get us out of this. I have to trust my dad has a plan.

"Maura, honey, are you alright?" Dylan asks me in a sweet voice. I shiver and pretend to be out of my small trance, looking around me and then to the mess on the ground. He puts his arms around me and I bring my attention to him.
I nod my head and keep eye contact with him, "Yeah... I just got really dizzy all of a sudden." I put my hand to my head. He feigns innocence, "Are you sick? Should I bring you to the doctor?"

I shake my head, "No... I think I'm fine. Just... dizzy." I say my words slowly and unsure just like a person with memory loss would. I look back down on the ground and gasp at the mess I made, "Did I do this!?" I look up at him, "It was one of my father's favorite cups!"

He shushes me and puts a hand on my cheek, "No, no honey. I dropped it when you were unbalanced. It's all my fault. I'll get someone to clean it up." He smiles at me and pets my hair. I slowly nod and take a deep breath of air. I touch my face and feel an old tear.

"Was I crying?" I ask him.

He takes a moment to come up with something, "Yes, you were upset that you were assaulted by this man here. I shouldn't have brought you down here. I just wanted to see what kind of punishment I should give him." He glances at Ryland and I follow his eyes. Ryland looks devastated.

"I was assaulted?" I ask Dylan, hugging him and place my head on his chest in a way so I can still look at Ryland. Dylan embraces me and puts his chin on my head, "Unfortunately. I was away on a business trip and he took advantage of you. Rogues are the worst."