Chapter 51: Lady Maya
"You don’t have to be so uptight, Keenan. As your senior, I have to make sure everything is going as you want."
Claude watched as Keenan’s jaw grew taut and his palms made tight fists. He knew it was taking all of Keenan’s self-control not to lash out. Claude let a little smile slip. Keenan was still a little ruffled around the edges, but there was no doubt he was getting better. He used to be easier to taunt.
"When are you leaving?" Keenan asked instead.
"Rude," Claude replied with an exaggerated expression. "I just got here. I haven’t even gotten a tour of the house, let alone the town."
"You couldn’t care less about the town."
"You’re wrong. I hear the beach is nice."
Keenan raised a brow. "The beach? Ha. You’d rather hunt beasts."
"True. And do you intend to keep evading my question?" Claude asked and sat upright.
"You haven’t answered any of mine either."
"What questions?" He asked with a smile on his lips. "I don’t recall."
"When are you leaving?" Keenan’s tone was harsher.
Claude leaned back in his seat, studying Keenan. "If you let me see her, I might consider moving up my return date."
"No."
"Why? Worried I might woo her away with my charms?"
Keenan closed his eyes as he tried to push his anger down. Claude was mocking him; he knew that. But knowing didn’t make it sting less. He didn’t care about Claude’s statement, but he knew better than to let the Alpha have his way. He was bothersome. Once he latched onto a scent, it was hard for him to let go.
"Kidding," Claude blurted out. "I bring news that might concern you and your new mate."
Keenan’s eyes flew open. "What news?"
He is willing to accept her as his mate but not his Luna. Interesting.
Claude paused as the thought crossed his mind. "Well, I am sure you can take a guess. You didn’t think he would sit back while you have his prized possession now, did you?"
"What is this news?"
Claude uncrossed his legs and lounged on the long chair, a smile lingering on his face. He knew he had Keenan’s attention. "Curious, aren’t you? Well, if you let me—"
Knock. Knock.
It wasn’t the knocks that made Claude stop speaking; he could never be so easily distracted. It was Keenan’s reaction. It was very subtle, but it was those exact subtle reactions he was looking for.
Keenan’s nostrils had flared ever so slightly, his jaw tightened a little harder, and his eyes looked like they wanted to dart toward the door. Claude didn’t have to guess. His prize was right outside the door, wasn’t she?
Hilbert moved quickly without waiting for orders and opened the door. Claude turned his head, but Hilbert’s huge frame didn’t allow him to see her. He didn’t need to. That sweet scent that had filled his bedroom was floating right through the open door.
He didn’t know why she was here; he could only think the Moon Goddess had decided to shine her grace on him. From Keenan’s reaction, this was not part of his plan. He did not doubt that Keenan would have kept her away from him even if it meant losing information about Vilhelm. He was that stuck-up.
"What is this news?" Keenan was speaking.
Claude paid no attention to him. He knew Keenan was simply trying to distract from the door. Claude was no longer interested in Keenan; his chartreuse eyes were locked on the figure entering the room.
The next thing he noticed as she walked in was the tray she held. Claude raised a brow, and before he could fully process it, he saw her entire outfit. His eye twitched. It was better than the dungeons, but a maid?
Is he a prude?
She kept her head down as she approached them, as if she could hide herself. Even in her dreary attire, her elegance was not hard to notice.
He could almost taste her fear, but her hands didn’t shake as she walked forward. The tray was as steady as it could possibly be.
She placed the tray on the table and bowed to him, then shakily bowed to Keenan, who could no longer keep up the facade. His face was hard enough to break stone, and he looked like he might jump at her.
Claude was on his feet in an instant. "Lady Maya," he called, stretching out his palm. "It is a pleasure to meet you again."
Claude was smiling as he spoke; it was hard not to when Keenan was glaring hard enough to drill a hole through his head. He was very entertained, and he wondered how long it would take the new Alpha to snap.
He did suspect that Maya might find this disgraceful and would rather not be recognized. Not only was she dressed head to toe as a maid, but she was also serving him. However, he had no plans to pass up such an opportunity.
"Lady Maya?" Hilbert called out in horror and bowed.
Claude winced. He wished his bodyguard was more aware. He was trying to make this as casual as possible; calling her name in such a shocked tone did the exact opposite.
Her blue eyes darted toward Keenan, fear filling them, but Claude was not worried that she would decline his greeting. Courtesy demanded that she adhere.
Her reluctance was evident as she slowly stretched out her hand to his. Claude accepted it eagerly, noticing the faint scratches and chipped nails.
Her palm was cold, but this was quite normal; he could remember this part. Even through the gloves, her palm had always been cold. He smiled lightly. He now knew exactly why the sweet scent had nearly driven him mad.
He brought the back of her palm to his lips and lightly placed a brief kiss. He could see Keenan out of the corner of his eyes; he looked ready to attack.
Claude knew better than to push it, at least, not yet. So he let go of her hand and took his seat.
