Chapter 40: Small Victory
Keenan closed his palms tightly by his sides. It was all he could do to keep his anger in check. He could feel it boiling out of him, and it got worse the longer he stayed in her presence.
It irked him the way she looked when she was in pain. She had made him suffer more than this, and she dared look as though she didn’t deserve it—as though it was too much to bear. His jaw tightened.
He could feel the palm he had wrapped around her neck pulse in the same rhythm as hers. The loud beating of her heart echoed in his ears. Keenan didn’t want to think of her evasive scent that wafted to his nostrils.
She was frightened of him. He didn’t have to sense her fear to know that. Every time he reached for her, she flinched and froze. He preferred that; her pain brought him satisfaction.
Regardless of her evident fears, she seemed to enjoy getting on his nerves—waiting for his call even though he had given explicit orders. She was mocking him, just as she had done by offering herself.
Her acting deserved accolades, and too many times he had caught himself swaying, like right now.
Keenan wasn’t oblivious to her state. Her hair looked like it had not been brushed since she arrived, and she was dressed in worn-out maid clothes. However, she still looked better than he ever did in her father’s dungeons.
His palm itched, and he reached for her wrist and pulled her harder than he needed to. She looked confused but didn’t question his action or stop him. She let him pull her without a fight.
"She doesn’t take you seriously, Alpha," Alaina chimed in. "You’re too lenient. She should be locked up in the dark cellar or better still sent to the mines." Alaina’s gaze darkened. "That’s exactly what she deserves."
Maya gasped at Alaina’s words—a small gasp, but he was close enough to hear it. Keenan allowed himself a tiny smile. The threat of a bigger punishment would always serve its purpose.
Winnie and Theo didn’t stare unnecessarily. Keenan knew they all shared the same feeling about Vilhelm and his family. No one would stop or condemn his actions, regardless of their lack of participation. Besides, no one knew better than the people at this table exactly what he had gone through.
If he did decide to toss her in the mines, there would be no one to stop him. But Keenan was in no hurry. They had a lifetime; he would get his payback, slowly and surely.
"Sit!" He commanded, letting go of her hand as they arrived at his side of the table.
Maya looked around to be sure she was not confused. He was not pointing to anything, but there was no chair where she was standing.
Maya pressed the hand he had let go to her chest as she tightly shut her eyes. She couldn’t delay; he would get offended. She let out a soft breath and bent her knees as she dropped to the floor.
Alaina’s laughter echoed in the hall, and Maya felt drenched in shame. It was no different than usual; she had been humiliated multiple times, but somehow this felt more intense.
She bent her legs, doing her best to hide the loose shoes that were obvious as she sat down. The only good news was that at least from this position, she couldn’t see Alaina, as the table hid her from view.
There were dirt stains on her dress from cleaning the room, and Maya also tried to hide them as best she could, but it didn’t change her current state and its implications.
Keenan took his seat. She was on the floor next to him; if she leaned slightly, she could brush against his pants. Maya shook her head and locked eyes with the floor. Now was not the time to think about such things.
Perhaps she should be grateful that he kept her close, but she knew there was no affection in this action. His distrust for her was so strong that even though he couldn’t stand the sight of her, he had to keep her close to make sure she did exactly as he wanted.
Maya sighed. It was exhausting when she thought about it, and each time she had a little hope, it all came crashing down. She felt her heart squeeze tighter as she recalled Alaina’s words about them not being married.
There was no denying the truth in them. Why would he ever want to be married to her? Had she been so blinded by hope that she hadn’t considered this?
Maya’s shoulders shook slightly and she forced herself to think about the situation in front of her. She wondered if she would be expected to eat off the floor.
Her stomach knotted. She had done the same to him multiple times, throwing his food on the ground. It was the only way Maelle would let her feed him without telling Father.
She twisted her fingers as she waited for the rest of her punishment, but instead of the servants pouring her food on the ground, the plate was put on the ground instead.
Maya stared at it with a slightly shocked expression. She had expected the worst, but he was going to let her eat as normal—just on the ground.
It was nothing to rejoice about, but Maya could not help but feel it was a small victory. She lifted her head to glance at him, but she could only see the side of his face from here.
"You’re too lenient, Alpha," Alaina suddenly added. Keenan shot her a glare. "I-I am simply saying she deserves worse, Alpha. I wasn’t making any unnecessary comments."
"Are the rooms ready?" He asked instead, changing the subject.
Alaina adjusted in her seat. "They should be ready in time for their arrival tomorrow. I chose decent rooms as I know the guest is an Alpha."
Keenan returned his attention to his meal, neither disputing nor acknowledging her statement.
"Is it an Alpha?" Alaina pressed, eager eyes locked on Keenan.
Maya listened intently from the ground. She wasn’t very excited about the guests. She stayed clear of other Alphas; her father made sure of that. She knew enough about them, especially the one on his way here.
Maya shivered slightly. Even her father called him bloodthirsty.
"Theo," Keenan called instead of replying to Alaina. "I’d like you to join them during patrol tonight. They could use your speed."
Theo sat upright. "Do you think something is going on?"
"No," he said and glanced down, his gaze catching the top of Maya’s head. "I’d rather be prepared."
"Is this about the Alpha’s visit or something else?" Alaina asked, even though no one was speaking to her. She had noticed the way Keenan had glanced at Maya.
"Why do you care so much?" Winnie asked, infuriated by her sister’s incessant poking and nosing.
Alaina narrowed her eyes at her. Her irritation was clear as day. "Not everyone is as passive as you. Besides, I am in charge of getting the rooms ready. It’s only imperative that I get more information."
Winnie visibly flinched at Alaina’s attack and returned to eating her food. Alaina always accused her of being passive, and it was something she had grown insecure about.
"You don’t need any information to get the rooms ready, Alaina. Don’t be a nuisance," Keenan snapped.
Winnie’s face brightened a little, and she sent a grateful look to Keenan, but he wasn’t paying her any mind. Alaina glared at Winnie before sweetly speaking to Keenan.
"No, Alpha, that wasn’t what I meant. I just don’t want to make a mistake or do anything you don’t approve of."
Keenan didn’t reply, as Alaina viewed acceptance and rejection as the same thing. The best approach was to ignore her.
Maya ate her food, knowing he was watching. Her appetite was nonexistent, but she knew she had to eat through it. Every bite threatened to spill out, but Maya did her best to hold it down, and eventually breakfast was over.
Keenan was the first to leave. As he walked past her, the side of his hand brushed the back of her head, and Maya felt her heart stop. Keenan didn’t seem aware of this as he kept walking forward.
Maya watched him go before she slowly stood to her feet. She had work to get back to. Perhaps in the night, she would let the sad feelings bubble up.
"Who said you could stand up?" Alaina suddenly spoke.
Maya froze and turned her gaze to the table. Theo was still eating, but he raised his head as Alaina spoke. Only Winnie didn’t have any reaction.
"The guest rooms."
Maya didn’t know why she spoke. Perhaps she was in shock, or angry that Alaina had made things worse for her with Keenan, or she was just so exhausted that a cry escaped despite her wishes.
Alaina paled as Theo and Winnie turned to look at her. They didn’t have to say anything for it to be accusatory. Maya didn’t wait for anything to unfold; she turned and exited the room.
