Claimed by the Vengeful Alpha

Chapter 107: One Step Closer

Maya clasped her uninjured hand to her chest as she lay down to sleep. The conversation felt like a waste of time—nothing she did made any difference.

She knew she was not going to fall asleep anytime soon but it was better to try. She didn’t want to think about how the conversation ended. She didn’t want to think about anything.

He was likely going to go to the room next door and sleep there. He’d rather sleep on a desk than with her. She might spend the night in his room tonight, but for how long?

What were they now? Did their intimacy mean anything, or would things return to what they were? What even were they?

Her eyes flew open as she felt the bed dip. Maya could barely contain her shock as he got into bed with her. His back was to her as he pulled the covers over himself.

He stayed!

She smiled through the tears that threatened to flow down her face. He was so close to the edge that she was worried he might fall off. There was so much distance between them that no matter how far she stretched her hand, she couldn’t reach him.

But he is here. It isn’t completely nothing.

"Goodnight, Alpha Keenan," she blurted before she could help herself. Her outstretched hand grabbed the sheets close to him before she returned her hand to her chest.

"Don’t speak to me."

Maya nodded and kept her mouth sealed as she watched his back. His voice didn’t sound as cold as she expected. Or perhaps her relief made her think so, but it didn’t matter. Right now, all that mattered was that he was in the bed with her.

She couldn’t stop staring at his back. The warmth spreading in her chest reminded her of how warm his hands were. Perhaps they would get to a point where he was closer.

She shut her eyes and tried to force herself to fall asleep. He had said nothing, but Maya couldn’t help but feel one step closer.

Keenan woke first, though it felt odd to call it waking up since he had barely slept. He couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation.

He turned his body and squinted his eyes as he stared at her sleeping frame. Her long black lashes rested on her cheeks, and her mouth was slightly open as she slept.

Her soft breathing filled the room, and the way she placed her hand to her chest as she slept reminded him of a memory he had forgotten. He didn’t like to compare them, but how were they so similar?

Keenan palmed his face. That was it, wasn’t it? If she kept reminding him of Penn, he wouldn’t be able to treat her accordingly.

She had mocked his vengeance, and he had still shared the same bed with her. He blamed the sex, her scent and the show she put on. He should know better—he really should.

He grabbed the emerald necklace around his neck and kissed it. He couldn’t even remember her face. He squinted his eyes as he tried to conjure an image and failed. All he had was the memory of her cold hands.

Is that why? Am I filling the cracks with something similar?

"Good morning, Alpha Keenan," her soft voice broke through his thoughts.

He pulled the necklace from his lips and turned his head to look at her. She was smiling as she looked at him. Her uninjured hand stretched toward him, but she stopped herself and pulled it back.

He didn’t like that he could feel a twinge of regret that she didn’t reach out further to touch him. He knew exactly how her hands felt, and he also knew he wouldn’t stop her if she reached out to him.

Keenan forced himself out of the bed. He must still be confused from everything that was happening. He felt bad about her injury, and her contradictory actions threw him off.

She wanted him to use her for his revenge. She was willingly offering. Keenan couldn’t wrap his head around it. There had to be some trick to it.

"Thank you for staying," she mumbled.

He stopped walking and turned around. "This is my room."

Why did I respond?

He was still sleepy, he told himself as he turned away. Her smiles made him angrier. She was acting as though this was normal. Why would she be pleased in this sort of situation?

Maya watched Keenan walk away from the bed with a bright smile on her face. She knew this didn’t mean anything, but she was unable to put a damper on her happiness.

She opened and closed her palm by her side as she watched his back with a satisfied look on her face. He walked toward the wardrobe and pulled it open.

He took off his shirt with his back to her, and Maya didn’t miss the faded scars on his back. They were unlike the glaring one on his chest but still had the same effect.

She winced at the memory of him tied up on the wooden table while she...

She ground her teeth. More than a few scars were from her, she was sure. Yet, he would still share the bed with her.

He wore a clean shirt and walked toward the exit without a backward glance. She didn’t stop watching him until the door shut.

She didn’t know what he had in store for her, but she would take it all—no matter what it was—as long as she could have this closeness. Perhaps he was right. She was just trying to absolve herself of the guilt of her crimes.

He still held Penn close, and she knew she didn’t deserve it. But even if it was only to take his anger, she would rather have that than nothing else.

A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts as Palmer turned the handle and walked into the room. Behind her was Winnie, and the two women were smiling softly at her.

"Winnie, Palmer," she called in surprise as they walked in.

Palmer stiffly bowed as she slowed down so Winnie could walk ahead. Winnie was dressed in a simple flower dress and her golden hair was tied away from her face. Palmer was dressed in her usual maid outfit with a white apron.

"You’re awake," Winnie replied and rushed toward the bed. "How’s your hand? Hope it doesn’t hurt too much."

She shook her head. "What are you doing here?"

"We are here to help you clean up," she pulled her hand from behind her back and revealed a dress. "What do you think?"

Maya smiled softly. "It’s better than what I have on, but you don’t have to—"

"Let me. Palmer, heat the water—"

"No, cold water is fine," she replied.

Winnie stared oddly at her but didn’t argue. The two women helped her into her dress after the bath, and Winnie dismissed Palmer.

The maid bowed as she walked toward the door. "I will bring your breakfast when it’s ready."

"Thank you, Palmer."

"How’s your arm?" Winnie asked for the umpteenth time as she led her to the bed.

She moved her shoulder. "It barely hurts," she lied.

Winnie narrowed her eyes as she helped her get into bed. "I am sure it hurts. Do you want some herbs? I am sure Master Richard has something for pain. He is the orphanage doctor and tends to attend to children most, since they are the ones who get sick easily."

"I see," she mumbled, filling in her missing memories. "I don’t want to bother him."

"So, you’re in pain?" Winnie asked with a raised brow.

Maya chuckled. "It barely hurts, I promise."

Winnie reluctantly nodded.

"I hope you didn’t get into any trouble with your sister?" Maya asked, recalling that she had stood up for her. She also didn’t want Winnie to dwell on her injured hand.

Winnie shook her head. "I didn’t see her after I left, and I’ll eat breakfast with you. As long as I avoid her, I won’t have to deal with that."

"I worry," she mumbled.

"Save that for yourself. Despite the past few weeks, I am quite capable." Her eyes darted to the side as if she was still embarrassed.

"You’ve done more for me than anyone else, and you have no reason to—not after what my family has done to—"

"I have a thousand questions," she cut in. "But not now, Maya. Right now, get better. Then we will get to the bottom of this, and perhaps I’ll share my own little tale too."

Maya nodded as her eyes pooled with tears, but she didn’t let them spill. And when their breakfast came, Winnie happily helped her eat.

It was easy to think she didn’t deserve it, and she was risking Winnie by letting her help. But perhaps because she was exhausted and perhaps because today felt like a good day after waking up with Keenan beside her, Maya didn’t try to fight off the help.