Claimed by the Vengeful Alpha

Chapter 84: I am Right.

"I have enough reasons to believe you’re not the High Alpha’s real daughter and that you’re Keenan’s dead—"

Maya moved before she even thought about it, covering his mouth with both her palms. She had truly underestimated Claude. She didn’t think he had any interest in her, let alone to figure this out.

She was certain she had given nothing away, and the fact that she was not Vilhelm’s daughter was a well-guarded secret. Only a few servants knew.

Or did he have help?

Her eyes were wide as she pressed down on his mouth. It was possible that Alaina would tell him, but she couldn’t see what Alaina would gain from that if she kept it from Keenan.

Claude easily peeled her hands from his mouth. "From your reaction, I am right," he said confidently.

She pulled back to her seat. "Someone could hear," she whispered as she looked around, even though she couldn’t see out of the carriage because of the closed curtains.

Her heart was threatening to jump out of her chest. It was beating too loudly. She didn’t know what would happen if the wrong person overheard.

"Don’t worry, no one is close enough to eavesdrop."

"You can tell?" She asked, reminded once again of what she lacked, despite her best efforts not to think about it.

"Yes," he replied, staring at her. "You don’t have your wolf, do you?"

"No," she mumbled, embarrassed even more.

"Odd," he replied.

"Is it?" She snapped. She already felt ashamed; he didn’t need to make it worse.

"Yes, it is. The oldest I have ever heard is seventeen. You get your wolf before you become an adult. That’s how it always works."

"I know how it works," she replied.

"I don’t mean you’re odd," he added.

"I never said that."

Maya didn’t like the ache in her temple. She only got them when she was fighting back tears. She didn’t like how easily he read her.

He gave her a sad look. "I know, but—"

"Did Alaina tell you?" She cut in. She didn’t want to discuss one of her many shortcomings.

Claude narrowed his eyes. "She knows?"

Maya jerked her head to look at him. "Then how did you figure it out?"

"You appeared out of nowhere as Vilhelm’s daughter. I was old enough to remember."

"How old are you?" Maya blurted before she could think about it.

His eyes darkened, but his smile didn’t waver. "It’s rude to ask someone their age. My preference for you doesn’t change that."

Maya studied him. She could tell he was older than Keenan, but she wasn’t quite sure how much. If it weren’t for the air around him, she would have said he was the same age as Keenan.

"Rude," he commented at her stare. "Keenan was also under my wing during the war. He wouldn’t shut up about the girl who gave him the emerald necklace he never takes off."

Maya knew it wasn’t the place or time, but she couldn’t help the warm, fuzzy feeling knowing he still held her memory close, even after what they had done to him.

"How did you know I was the same person?" She frowned.

"I didn’t. It was simply a hunch, and your reaction confirmed it."

Maya pouted. He had tricked her. First, he let her drop her guard, then he acted as though he was romantically interested in her—all to get the information he wanted. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

She could clearly see how he was in charge of the Royal Army. He was not a man to mess with. She would not escape him unscathed—and that was if she could escape at all.

"I gave myself away." Her shoulders dropped dejectedly.

"I would have gotten my answer one way or another."

Maya pressed her hand to her chest and put some distance between them, staring at him cautiously.

"You have no reason to fear," he said, but his tone suggested otherwise.

"I don’t believe that."

"I know that," he smirked.

"Then why did you say it?"

"I have more questions," he said instead.

"No," she replied.

"Hmm," he said with a thoughtful expression as he watched her. "If you answer my questions, I won’t ask why you won’t tell Keenan, nor will I tell him."

All the color drained from her face. She sighed and pulled her hands from her chest. No matter how carefree Claude sounded, he was serious, and this was a threat.

"Why?" She asked.

"Why do I want to know?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Let’s just say I like my puzzles completed."

Maya adjusted in her seat and twisted her fingers together. There wasn’t really much to think about. Claude was determined to get the information. She didn’t believe it was because he was curious, but she doubted he would tell her the real reason.

However, her concern was Keenan, and Claude wouldn’t tell him. He was dangerous, but she believed he would honor a bargain.

"What do you want to know?"

His eyes glimmered. "The necklace. You gave it to him. Why?"

Maya blushed. "It was a long time ago."

"Go on," he urged.

Maya sighed. "We exchanged. I gave him the necklace, and he gave me his father’s locket."

He frowned and stared at her neck. "Where is it?"

"I lost it before I left the orphanage."

"And the necklace. Where did you get it?"

Maya narrowed her eyes at him, wondering why he was curious about it. She wasn’t completely surprised. When she was younger, she remembered multiple people trying to take it off, but they never succeeded.

"I don’t know. The matron said I arrived in front of the orphanage wearing it."

"Do you remember anything before you came to the orphanage?"

"Of course not. I was a baby."

"And Keenan?"

"I don’t remember much, but he was in the orphanage before I arrived. His father died in the war, and his mother died while giving birth to him."

"I see."

"Is that all your questions?" She stared at him oddly. None of his questions made sense.

"Not quite. I still have a few questions, but there is no reason—"

Three knocks on the wood of the carriage interrupted his words, and Claude turned away from her to the window. He pulled back the curtain to reveal Hilbert.

"Breakfast, Alpha."