Claimed by the Vengeful Alpha

Chapter 96: Uncertainty

Maya sat on the couch with her knees bent and the side of her face resting on her bent knees. Her gaze stared into the space, staring at nothing.

The room was dimly lit, with scented candles spread around to brighten it. Maya wondered if Zoe had done this out of consideration for her. The maid was particularly thoughtful. She wondered if the maid was working on orders, but whose?

Dinner was over and she was already dressed in her nightclothes. Zoe had left moments ago after helping her prepare for the night.

Her skin felt softer than it had in two weeks. In just two nights, the maid reminded her of how she was treated in the Olsten manor.

She shut her eyes; it was easy to remember the good parts, but it wasn’t all good. She was terrified of Father, and she still was.

She was glad she didn’t have to go close to him at any point during the meeting. After being around Keenan’s softer scent, she was sure she would have a strong adverse reaction to Father.

As much as she was second-guessing her decision, she didn’t want to go back there. Not with Father and certainly not with Maelle.

Verlassen wasn’t any better. She had lied to the Alpha King—she wasn’t safe there. Maya glanced at the doors; it was getting late, and he still hadn’t walked through the doors.

She tightened her arms around her legs. She had tried not to think about it, but what did Keenan think? Did he think this was another plan to deceive him? Or did he perhaps distrust her less now?

Nothing.

That was all she got from last night. Uncertainty was the worst. Maya sniffed and wiped her eyes. Why was she crying again?

Pathetic, wasn’t it?

She wiped her face and buried it in her knees. She didn’t know why she was waiting for him, but she knew it would be a waste of time to try to sleep. She had spent the entire day doing that.

The crack of the door opening startled her. She tightened her arms around herself as her heartbeat tripled. She feared her heart might leap out of her chest as he walked through the open doors.

His eyes skimmed the room, and she pretended he was looking for her. It did nothing to ease her uncertainty, as there was no guarantee that it was a good thing.

He turned toward the chairs, and their eyes locked. The candlelight made his blonde hair look a little brown and his green eyes had a darker tint to them.

He shut the doors loudly and marched toward her. Maya pulled her head away from her knees as she stared at him with a mix of surprise and worry.

His brows were furrowed as he walked toward her. Was he angry? Was what she did wrong?

Through the uncertainty, fear, and worry, there was hope and a slight warmth that slowly spread across her body. It was nice to see him, even if she had done wrong.

Keenan’s nose flared as he spotted her. That distinct scent was pulling him before he could even think about it. He couldn’t exactly put into words what he was feeling, but by how uncomfortable his pants were getting, he had an idea.

He didn’t like it.

All she had to do was be in the same room with him, and suddenly it was hard to think. Now that he knew the taste of it, it almost felt like he could never be satisfied.

He was upon her before he could stop himself, stretching her legs so she lay on the long chair. He parted her legs and nestled between them.

She didn’t stop him; she just stared at him with a dazed expression. Somehow, that annoyed him more. It was just like last night.

Keenan wasn’t quite sure when dream became reality, but it was well before things could get out of hand. He could have pushed her away; she should have pushed him away. But like right now, she didn’t.

He could feel her fear as he rested on her. He could hear how loudly her heart was beating from the door, and yet she had no intention of stopping him.

This was another trick, wasn’t it? Her choosing him in front of her father was also a trick. It was all to get his guard down so she could attack him when he least expected it.

Just like he had trusted her far too many times and was betrayed each time. He even had the scar on his chest to prove it. Yet, here he was, clinging to her like a dog in heat.

She didn’t smell like him anymore. Why did that matter? It didn’t. It shouldn’t. He should know better; he did know better. But all he wanted to do was cover her with his scent all over.

She was his, but not like this. It was never supposed to be like this. Rather, she was his to do his bidding and never get the freedom she wanted. But why did it feel like he was the one at her mercy?

"Alpha Keenan?" She softly called.

She sounded concerned for him. Keenan internally swore. He had spent years building the iron fence. Why was it all crumbling down? She had tried to act before. She had the same tone when she would come to him in the dungeons. Why did it still have the same effect?

Keenan buried his head in her neck and took a deep breath. Her skin was cool and soothing against his face. Her scent filled his nostrils, and the confused thoughts in his head seemed to subside.

He kissed the crook of her shoulder, and she let out a soft gasp, but she didn’t push him away. Her hands hesitantly rested on his back, and her legs spread out wider, as if inviting him.

Keenan internally swore. If she did that, how was he supposed to stop?