Claimed by the Vengeful Alpha

Chapter 103: I’m Glad You’re Okay

A soft knock pulled her from her worries and drew her attention to the door. Seconds later, the handle turned and Palmer walked into the room holding a tray. She struggled with the tray for a moment as she tried to shut the door with one hand.

She adjusted the tray in her hands and stepped further into the room. Her eyes searched for Maya, and when they finally settled on her, her gaze softened.

"Palmer," Maya called with surprise in her tone. She wanted to sit up, but the pain in her right hand didn’t let her.

Palmer didn’t respond as she walked toward the bed. She placed the tray on the table and pulled it closer to the bed. She stood for a moment, staring at the bandage before she looked at Maya.

"Does it hurt?"

She chuckled. It wasn’t funny, but it was the last thing she expected to be asked, especially from Palmer.

"Of course," she replied.

"Sorry," she mumbled apologetically.

"Thank you, Palmer."

The maid paused for a moment as if she was thinking of what to say. "Agnes sends her regards. It’s not your chicken soup, but she made some for you."

Her eyes widened slightly, then twinkled in the candlelight as her face broke into a smile. "Her chicken soup is the best. I am grateful."

Palmer nodded, then she looked at Maya’s hand and the tray. Her brows furrowed slightly. She was about to speak again when another knock interrupted.

"I will get it," Palmer said, even though there was no way Maya could try to get it herself.

She opened the door, and Winnie rushed into the room. "Maya," her worried face crumbled as she saw her in bed.

"Winnie," she smiled, recalling their last interaction. She forgot the pain and tried to sit up and immediately regretted it.

"Don’t move," Winnie cried as she rushed to her side. "I heard about the accident."

Palmer stood by the door for a moment, looking at the two women interacting with a thoughtful expression on her face, then she slipped out of the room and shut the door.

"I am sorry to be a bother," Maya replied.

"What are you talking about? Theo said the carriage was smashed and it can’t even be fixed. You don’t have a wolf. If your injuries had been worse, I don’t know what could have happened. I am so glad you’re okay."

Maya blinked rapidly as tears threatened to spill. When was the last time someone looked relieved and happy to see her? When has anyone ever spoken about her not having a wolf without blaming her?

"Thank you, Winnie," she said with a smile. "You said the carriage was smashed?"

"Yes. Do you not know?"

Maya shook her head. "I don’t remember anything. Only the rain."

"The wheels slipped and the carriage tilted, falling on its side. It fell on a bulging rock sticking out of the ground, and that made it smash."

"Oh," her brows furrowed slightly. She could vaguely remember the feeling of falling.

"That’s irrelevant. I am just glad you got minor injuries, but I don’t think they are that minor." Her eyes were filled with concern as she looked at Maya’s bandaged arm.

"You don’t have to worry, Winnie. If I had a wolf, I wouldn’t even be bedridden. It’s that minor."

Winnie’s lips formed a thin line and her gaze held sadness for Maya, but she didn’t argue; rather, she changed the subject. "Let me help you eat," she offered.

"No," Maya replied. "I couldn’t trouble you again. I hope you didn’t get into too much trouble with..." she paused, "for the dresses."

Winnie understood exactly what she meant but she still didn’t get it. A lot of things didn’t make sense. It was easier to turn a blind eye when Alaina recounted the things the High Alpha did to them and what Maya did to their Alpha.

However, it was hard to see Maya being that cruel. She would even worry for her when her predicament was much worse. Winnie was angry at herself for not stretching out a hand sooner.

She always did that—staying in her sister’s shadow—and even now it was hard to make a decision.

Winnie shook her head. "She was angry and threatened me, but perhaps Theo’s absence made me more confident. That’s unimportant. You have no reason to worry about me. My problems are internal, and at the end of the day, Alaina wouldn’t dare harm me physically. And her hold over me weighs on me more as a secret. I’d prefer it if she told. That would be much easier than me doing it myself. I’m spineless, aren’t I?"

Maya shook her head. "Not even close." She was the only one willing to look past the rumors, despite their immense truth, and see her.

"Here," Winnie said. "Let me help you sit up."

"You don’t have to help me eat."

"Would you rather make a mess of Alpha Keenan’s bed?" Winnie asked.

Maya stiffened and reluctantly shook her head. She didn’t want to trouble Winnie but she also didn’t want to anger Keenan more.

"Then let me help."

She moved closer and carefully lifted Maya upright, placing pillows behind her to support her injured hand. She sat on the edge of the bed in front of Maya and opened the dish.

"Hmm, chicken soup," she mumbled.

Winnie scooped a generous amount and, making sure it wasn’t hot, offered some to her. She felt a little childish as she opened her mouth, but Winnie looked very pleased with herself that it was easy to indulge.

Maya felt a little self conscious about how she was dressed but Winnie didn’t act as though there was anything different and it was easy for her to forget that.

Halfway through the bowl of chicken soup, Alaina barged into the room, her eyes blazing as she looked around. Seeing Winnie next to her, she rushed toward the bed and tried to kick the food. Winnie anticipated this and picked up the bowl.

"What are you doing, Alaina?!" Winnie cried as she grabbed the hot bowl with both hands, protecting it from her sister.

The tray, however, couldn’t be saved and it flew off the table, making a loud, continuous sound as the metal hit the floor.