Chapter 184: Hardly a Marriage

Maya appreciated the change of topic. She had blurted her thoughts without fully weighing all sides of the plan. Things could go horribly wrong, and she could be trapped with the High Alpha again.

She still wanted to do it.

To find out that the man she had called Father for years was actually the one who might have kept her from her real parents and possibly killed her father was a terrible blow.

“He is in the dungeons,” she replied.

As much as she appreciated the new topic, she wished they were discussing anything else other than Keenan.

“Why?” Eleanor asked, shocked.

“He is a nuisance,” Azura said. “And my daughter wants nothing to do with him.”

“They are married,” Eleanor added.

“Maya,” Claude called. “Did something happen?”

“Did he not tell you?”

“No, only that you were taken away, but he was acting too frantic for just that. I suspected something else must have gone wrong too.”

“Ha. It went wrong alright.”

“I see. That is most unfortunate. I am sorry.”

Maya shook her head. “It is not your place to apologize. I am willing to do this, but I don’t want him to be a part of it.”

Claude visibly looked uncomfortable. “That I cannot agree to. I am sorry, but if we are going against Vilhelm, we need Keenan.”

“Very well,” she let out a sigh. “He may join if he doesn’t speak to me.”

“That bad, eh? Okay. I will grind this into his head. May I see him, Your Majesty?”

“You may. Rudor, lead him to the dungeons.”

“Yes, My Liege.”

As soon as Claude left the room, Eleanor stood to her feet, thanking the Queen for her audience before also exiting the room.

“You’re married,” Azura whispered. “I didn’t know that.”

“It’s a little hard to call it a marriage. It was mainly for his revenge.”

“I see. Shall I get back my necklace then?”

Her eyes widened slightly. “May I ask for a favor?”

“Whatever you want, my daughter.”

“Can he keep it? At least until we have defeated Vilhelm. I almost had him killed multiple times. I am certain the necklace kept him alive.”

“The necklace was made after your father’s death. I was going to do everything to make sure you didn’t end up the same way he did. When I saw it during the battle, I was certain of the worst. But looking back now that you are back with me, I might not have found you so soon if I hadn’t seen it. It is yours, Maya. You may give it to whoever you like. Besides, I can easily make another one.”

“There wouldn’t be any need to,” Maya replied, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. “There has been too much loss in our family. I promise I won’t go anywhere, and don’t leave me too.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

—

Keenan sat in the corner of the dungeons, his head in his hands. He hated the damp, dark space, and it reminded him of things he didn’t want to think about.

But at the same time, he was seeing his old memories in a new light. She really was Penn. All this while, why didn’t he see it?

He was angry, yes. Vengeful, yes. But that was not enough reason.

He had married her and treated her no differently from a slave, letting Alaina treat her as she pleased.

He dug his nails into his scalp. That should have been enough indication that she was Penn. Alaina’s actions were too targeted.

He had no excuse; he knew that.

Footsteps coming into the dungeons drew his attention. He lifted his head to see Claude walking in with Rudor behind him.

The guard watching him immediately stood to his feet and bowed. Claude didn’t acknowledge him as he walked straight to his cell.

“Alpha Keenan.”

Keenan stood, grabbing the metal bars. “Claude,” he whispered with a hopeful look on his face.

“You look a mess,” Claude said with a chuckle.

“Have you seen her?”

“Yes. She doesn’t want to be bothered. If you promise to behave, the Queen has agreed to let you out.”

“Her mother?”

“Yes.”

Keenan let out a sad laugh. He would not be surprised if the Queen hated him too. Who wouldn’t when they heard what he did to her?

“Keenan. I need you for something very important. We set out for the capital to take down Vilhelm in a few days. Maya is coming with us. I really need you on this expedition.”

“She is coming with us?!” He asked in horror. “How could you allow something so dangerous?”

“It was her idea. Will you behave and leave her alone?”

Leave her alone.

“Is that what Penn wants?” He couldn’t bring himself to call her Maya. That name was tied to too many uncomfortable things.

“Yes. Her exact words were that you shouldn’t speak to her.”

His grip on the bars tightened. “I can’t even speak to her?”

“Keenan, Keenan. Compose yourself. She was willing to do anything to make amends. Now it is your turn. You should be able to handle something so easy, right?”

Keenan banged his head on the bars hard enough to rip his skin, and blood poured down his face. “Right,” he replied through clenched teeth.

“You will behave?” Claude confirmed.

“I will.” He pulled his hands and bleeding head away from the bars.

“Good,” Claude said, his voice filled with relief. “I will let you out now. It is almost time for dinner. Rudor here will lead you to your room. Freshen up and join us.”

He nodded, and the guard unlocked his cell. He stepped out of the cell, feeling numb. The pain on his forehead was already starting to fade.

He couldn’t get Claude’s words out of his head. He had lied. There was nothing easy about this, and he wanted to claw at his face, but she had endured the worst at his hands and hadn’t given up on him.

I can do something so easy.

He chanted to himself as Rudor led him out of the dungeons and toward the main section of the mansion before coming to a stop in front of the room assigned to him.