Claimed by the Vengeful Alpha

Chapter 82: You Owe Me

A rude banging alerted her when it was time for them to leave. The dress had been a perfect fit except it was a little short and showed her shoes. Maya hoped the dress would be enough to distract from her feet.

She brushed her hair and tied it in a low bun. If she had to ride, she wouldn’t want her hair getting everywhere. It was better to keep it properly tied.

Maya dropped the brush and rushed toward the door. She picked up the clothes she had already prepared and opened the door to a smiling Bess.

As soon as Bess’s eyes rested on her, her smile faded. "W-what are you wearing?" She asked rudely, looking her up and down.

Maya narrowed her eyes at the young woman as she spoke to her directly. She didn’t respond as she stepped out of her room. She didn’t know where to find them, but she was certain they would be gathered where she could easily see them.

"I am talking to you," Bess said and tried to rush toward her.

She hurriedly took a step forward to avoid her. Bess did Alaina’s bidding, but she didn’t expect the maid to get so confident and try to attack her without her mistress.

"Where did you get that from, you thief?!" Bess snapped, her expression darkened and Maya ignoring her, only seemed to rile her up.

"Thief?!" Maya blurted, disbelief filling her face.

She didn’t stop walking as she took a step forward. She had seen the look in Bess’s eyes; the maid looked determined to rip the dress off her.

"Yes," Bess stated confidently. "Give it back," she said and rushed after her.

Maya didn’t wait. She didn’t even try to consider that perhaps the maid was confused and didn’t plan to hurt her. If she followed Alaina, she was certain Bess would rip the dress off her body if she caught her.

It was not a fight she could win, nor was it one she wanted to participate in. Without her wolf, Maya was well aware of her limits, and she knew right now it was best to flee.

Her brisk walk immediately changed into a run as she turned the corner where Claude’s room was. Almost immediately, his bedroom door opened.

As much as she didn’t like it, Maya was genuinely happy to see him as he walked out of his room. She slammed right into him, running too fast to slow down.

She assumed he didn’t have enough time to see her, but just before she touched him, he turned to face her and immediately grabbed her as she hit his chest, stilling her movements with his hand around her back. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"Just what is going on?" His voice sounded darker than she had ever heard it.

"Alpha," Bess yelled as she saw him. The blood faded from her face. "She stole the dress."

"I didn’t," Maya mumbled as she panted against him. She didn’t pull away, and he didn’t let her go.

"And if she did, what were you planning to do?" Claude asked, coldly.

Bess shrank. "Nothing. I will report this to my mistress. I am sorry. I just wanted to get a closer look at the dress."

"Leave!"

Bess flinched and vigorously nodded, running past them. She didn’t stop running until she was completely out of view.

Maya slowly pulled her head from Claude. She was still shaken. She didn’t want to imagine what would have happened if Claude hadn’t stepped out when he did.

"T-thank you," her voice had a hitch as she spoke.

"Anytime," Claude whispered and bent his head so he could see her face. "Really. You should come with me."

She lifted her head, and his chartreuse eyes nearly blinded hers. "I am sorry," she mumbled and looked away.

"You’re a little mean, Lady Maya. What does Keenan have that I possibly couldn’t replicate? Why would you stick with a man who lets his people treat you in this manner?"

Hilbert coughed, and Maya felt blood rush to her face. She didn’t even realize he wasn’t alone when she jumped on him.

"We have to go, Alpha Claude."

Claude ran his fingers through his curls. "You’re right," he replied and stretched out his hand to Maya.

She looked at his arm, a little hesitant to take it. They would have to walk hand in hand. She didn’t want to think of what Keenan would think if he saw them together.

"Don’t even think about declining," Claude said and stepped closer. "You owe me, Lady Maya."

She gritted her teeth. He was right. He had usually done things by himself when he came to her aid, and she was grateful. However, there was no denying that this time around, she had rushed to him.

"Okay," she mumbled and slipped her arm into the crook of his elbow. She didn’t like to owe anyone and Claude was the worst kind of man to owe.

He grinned down at her, and Maya turned her face away. She couldn’t meet his eyes.

"Hilbert, take her bag," Claude commanded.

Hilbert moved quickly and took it. As soon as her hand was free, Claude started to walk. He kept her unnecessarily close, and his free hand rested on her arm, which was interlocked with his.

Hilbert walked obediently behind them, and Maya could feel his gaze on her back. However, it was nothing compared to the horror that awaited her when Keenan saw them.

The walk felt excruciatingly long, and she didn’t like the taste at the back of her tongue. She didn’t want to think about how Keenan would react when he saw them. She pushed it to the corner of her mind and pretended this was a regular walk.

They ran into servants on the first floor, but there was no sign of Keenan. Maya felt brief relief, but dread crept up and tightened her throat again.

She was surprised Claude wasn’t saying anything. She expected him to bombard her with questions now that he literally had her strapped to him, but he did none of that—just carefully led her to the exit.

She stared at the huge doors as they approached. She remembered the first day she had stepped through them, and as she stepped out, she still felt the same way: scared, unsure, and drowning in guilt.

Nothing had changed.

"Alpha Keenan," Claude was quick to say as soon as they stepped through the doors.

Maya’s stomach twisted. She would be lying if she said she didn’t expect this.

She felt it immediately—his intense stare from a distance. It was a terrible situation, but Maya almost smiled. When was the last time he had looked at her in that manner?

He was standing next to a carriage and a few horses that weren’t attached to the house. He was dressed in all black and clearly ready for the long journey.

His blonde hair glowed in the soft light of dawn. His green eyes glinted, matching the color of her necklace around his neck. His jaw was taut and his arms made fists by his side.

Her heart felt as though it might explode. Maya almost laughed. She couldn’t believe she had thought about giving up. There was no way she could give him up.

"You’re late, Claude," Keenan’s harsh voice broke through; his piercing gaze didn’t ease in intensity.

"My apologies," he grinned, meeting his eyes. "I had a little rescuing to do."

Keenan’s eyes twitched as he stood next to a horse. He took a step forward and Maya felt the knife in her stomach twist hard.

"What are you wearing?!" A screech came from her side.

The sky was lighting up, and more than a few houses were awake. Several people stood in front of their houses watching their Alpha leave. More than a few hands waved at him, and parents had to stop their children from running toward them.

She turned a little to the side to see Alaina marching toward her while Theo had a horrified look on his face.

"Are you stealing now?" She asked and pointed a finger in front of Maya’s face, not caring that Claude was next to her.

Claude reacted immediately and pulled Maya away. "I don’t believe you’re going with us, Alaina."

She blinked, looking shocked at his statement. "No, I am not."

"Then get out of the way!"

Her lower jaw nearly hit the ground, and she looked like she was about to say something, but Hilbert immediately stepped forward at his Alpha’s words, ready to pull Alaina out of the way. He didn’t look like he was just going to pull her away—rather, he looked ready to toss her across the town.

Alaina stepped back immediately and watched as Claude led Maya to the carriage, carefully helping her in before also getting inside. He shut the door and poked his head out of the window.

"Shouldn’t we be leaving now, Alpha Keenan? At this rate, we’ll be late."