Claimed by the Vengeful Alpha

Chapter 111: Not the Luna

Maya couldn’t comprehend how going to the room with Keenan made her feel better. She had been embarrassed to show him her living conditions.

When he had asked about the bed, she had prayed the ground would open and swallow her. She hadn’t hidden the clothes because they were in the way; rather, their presence only enforced the imagery.

Richard will be in my room soon to check your wounds. You’d better not keep him waiting.

His words rang in her head. It was funny how quickly this made her forget about the state of her room. Even if it was because he felt guilty, it still made her very happy that he wanted her to go back to his room.

He didn’t say anything on the walk back to his room, and she had forced herself not to look back. She wondered if he thought there was something strange about her.

She concentrated on turning the handle and pushed the dark thoughts from her mind as they got to his room.

Maya suddenly felt his warm palm over hers and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She stepped to the side immediately, pulling her hand from his grip.

She hadn’t realized he had reached to open the door at the same time as she did. She didn’t even realize he was standing close enough.

His eyes darted toward her as she jumped away but he didn’t say anything. Not that he needed to—his suspicious expression was more than enough.

He opened the door and walked into the room. Maya let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding as she forced herself to step into the room after him.

Was he doing it on purpose? Was he thinking she would slip up and reveal something? Or was this his way of punishing her?

She was happy she was back in his room again, but it would be foolish of her to think things were better between them.

She had seen his expression while he stood in her room. It was hard to say if he was pleased or not but his question about the bed almost felt like he was trying to humiliate her further.

Maya grabbed her injured arm to stop herself from spiraling in her thoughts. If that was indeed what he was doing, wasn’t that exactly what she had asked for?

He took his seat by the wall next to the bed. It wasn’t close to the bed but she knew it could be adjusted, just as it had been on their wedding day. When she woke up, he was sitting close enough to touch her.

He got comfortable and just stared at her. Was he staying? She asked herself with a frown. It wasn’t like she didn’t want his company but she wouldn’t know what to do with it.

"Get into bed," he mumbled as she stood standing like a lost lamb.

Her mouth fell open at his choice of words. He tilted his head, and she nodded quickly and rushed toward the bed. She got in from the other side even though her side of the bed was closest to where he sat.

Maya almost smacked herself. She couldn’t believe she had called a part of his bed "her side." However, he always placed her there, and it felt rude to stay elsewhere.

She crawled across the bed, noticing the way his brows furrowed as he stared at her and she internally scolded herself for not taking the normal path.

He made her too anxious. She wasn’t used to him being around her on purpose and without any intention.

"Are you well?" He asked with a hand on his chin when she settled.

She nearly passed out at his words. Of course, he thought her behavior was beyond strange. "I am sorry," she forced out. "I didn’t want to bother you."

"What are you talking about? Is your hand still hurting?" He looked annoyed.

"Yes," she blurted out. "I am well."

Maya locked her eyes straight ahead. What was wrong with her? Her heart was beating loudly again.

"Very well," he muttered. "Richard should be here soon."

No sooner did he say those words than a soft knock echoed in the room. Maya could barely hide her relief.

Finally! Someone else.

He shifted toward the door. "That should be him."

He was on his feet as she spoke and Maya found herself staring at his back. She forced herself to look away and stare at her hands.

"Richard," he called as soon as he opened the door.

"Marcus," the older man called as he walked in, then noticing Keenan’s expression, he quickly added, "Apologies, Alpha."

Keenan didn’t respond as he stepped to the side to let the older man into the room. He stood more than a foot taller than Richard, whose shoulders were a little bent.

"Maya," he called with a smile.

"Master Richard," she heard herself say, repeating what Winnie had called him and also vaguely remembering that she had also referred to him in this manner before.

"The color is back to your face," he mumbled as he approached the bed. He set his bag on the ground and pulled the table closer to the bed.

"I should get you a better seat," Keenan replied, shutting the door and walking closer to them.

"No need, this shouldn’t take too long. Maya, would you tilt your shoulder to the side, please?" He squinted his eyes as he leaned forward, as though his sight wasn’t very good.

"Okay," she mumbled, catching Keenan’s gaze as she turned away.

"Hmm," Richard mumbled.

"Is something wrong?" Maya asked and turned her head, trying to see.

"No, don’t move. There is a little leakage, but nothing nasty. I’ll change your bandage, but you’ll have to wear it for another day to give it more time to heal. Is the pain nasty?" He asked as he started to undo the bandages.

"Nasty?" She asked.

"Unbearable?"

"No," she replied.

"You sure you don’t want herbs?"

"Ow!" She cried out. He had reached the wound, and he had to pull to dislodge the bandage.

"Sorry, too much?" His tone didn’t change; there was no urgency or annoyance in it.

"I was just startled," she replied, tightly holding her right wrist with her left hand.

"Hmm," he replied.

He cleaned the surface, then applied a thin coat of ointment. It tickled a little but other than the fact that someone was fiddling with her injury, there was no other discomfort.

"Looks like I didn’t put enough last time," he explained as he used a fresh pair of bandages to wrap her arm. "You should be able to take it off without me tomorrow. In the meantime, try to keep it dry as best as you can."

Maya nodded and tried not to move her arm around too much. It did hurt less than yesterday and even though it still hurt to use the hand, it wasn’t impossible. She had noticed that while lifting the clothes. She wouldn’t have to bother Winnie during dinner.

"Does it hurt?" He asked as he moved backward.

She shook her head and instinctively reached to touch her wounded arm. "Thank you," she replied.

He nodded, squinting his eyes slightly then turned away from her and rearranged his bag.

"Is that all, Richard?" Keenan asked as the older man bent over.

"Yes, yes. If anything goes wrong, let me know." He lifted his bag and looked from Keenan to Maya.

"What about the back of her head?" He queried.

"Oh," Richard paused and turned to Maya. "Is it bothering you?"

She shook her head.

"Leave it be. Be careful when you wash your hair or brush it, and it should be fully healed in a few days. Unlike your hand, it is mostly a bruise and should heal faster."

"Thank you," she repeated.

Richard shrugged and gave her one last glance before he stood up and walked toward the door with his bag in his hand.

"If you need me again, do not hesitate to send for me, Alpha." He chuckled as he called Keenan’s title longer than he needed to.

"Thank you for your help, Richard," Keenan grumbled out.

"Of course," Richard replied as he opened the door. He turned around, glancing at Maya. "It’s a shame the Luna doesn’t have a wolf but I am sure that can change."

It felt like the temperature dropped a few degrees as Richard spoke those words. She didn’t even register that he shut the door almost immediately as he exited the room.

She knew she wasn’t his Luna. That wasn’t what she was. She could hardly be called his mate even. She stiffly turned her neck toward him, wondering what his reaction would be.

However, when she turned, he was looking at her bandaged arm with intensity as though he hadn’t heard the words of the physician.

"Try not to get out of bed," he said as he noticed her stare.

"Are you leaving?" She softly asked.