Chapter 185: Hardened Heart

Keenan adjusted in his seat as she walked into the dining room. He did his best to keep still despite the twisting in his gut.

She looked beautiful as she walked in with her mother. He could certainly see the resemblance. He was glad something was right with her. He certainly didn’t help.

Perhaps this is for the best?

He didn’t like the sound of that. The knife in his heart sank deeper. For over a decade he had waited patiently, then mourned her for nearly three years, only to discover she was right in front of him.

There was no way he would be able to let her go. He didn’t care how long it took or what he had to do to get her forgiveness.

“Your Majesties.”

Claude stood to his feet, bowing, and he followed. Eleanor remained seated but welcomed them.

“Thank you,” Maya said politely.

She took her seat, and Keenan couldn’t help but notice she didn’t look in his direction. Not even when she walked in. The Queen, on the other hand, was different—she didn’t stop staring at him, but it was hard to tell if her gaze was hostile or not.

“I will look closely into the plan,” Claude said. “I should be able to come up with something that guarantees our safety.”

“There is no plan that can guarantee that. All I want is that my daughter returns to me alive. I don’t care who dies in her place.”

“Mother!”

“Don’t worry, I just want to make sure Claude understands the situation.”

“Perfectly understood.”

“Wonderful,” Azura grinned.

“Claude,” Maya suddenly whispered.

“Yes.”

“Have you heard word from Earndor?” She asked, though that wasn’t the question she wanted to ask.

He shook his head. “Any communication will be intercepted by Vilhelm.”

“Oh. What if the estimation you gave is a little too long?”

“Worry not,” Azura interjected. “Rudor has his eyes out. If there is even the slightest change, he will let me know.”

Claude nodded. “There is no need to worry. I am also sure Verlassen is fine. You saved them.” He glanced at the Queen before returning his gaze to his meal.

Maya nodded and bent her head to hide the color on her cheeks. Claude had read her true intention easily. He was always perceptive like that.

She took another bite of her food, doing her best to ignore Keenan’s stare from across the table. She had noticed him as soon as he walked in, and her heart had skipped a beat.

She was deliberately not looking at him. Her resolve was strong, but this was Keenan—or should she say, Marcus? Currently, he knew who she was, just as she had always wanted. It was so easy to be swayed.

But when she remembered the blood staining her dress and the pain she felt when she woke up and discovered their child was no more, her heart hardened.

If he had taken her hand then, instead of jumping over her like filth on the street, would their child still be alive?

She gripped her fork tightly to concentrate on the conversation. The last thing she wanted was to burst into tears at the dinner table.

Maya wasted no time leaving after dinner was over. She joined her mother in her chambers conversing about the things they both missed.

Azura told her about her father while she told her about her life in Verlassen and as the High Alpha’s adopted daughter.

She skipped Keenan as best as she could, and her mother didn’t press. She listened to her attentively and comforted her when needed.

Despite the damp feeling in her chest, Maya was smiling when she returned to her room at midnight. She was very happy she had found her family.

The thought of family made her remember Winnie. She prayed for her and her mate. They couldn’t both lose.

As soon as she got into bed, she fell asleep. It had been a rough day. She had only just woken up after being asleep for three days, and she didn’t catch a break the entire day.

Maya was having a lovely dream. She was still talking to her mother, but she started to feel that something wasn’t right.

Am I heavier?

She tried to roll over to sleep on her back, but loud creaking drew her attention, and try as she might, she couldn’t seem to roll onto her back.

Her eyes flew open in the dark room. It only took a second for her eyes to adjust. Black paws lay on the bed next to her head.

She tried to scream, but it came out as a loud howl. She then tried to get out of bed, but she tumbled over, crashing onto the bedside table before hitting the ground.

Ow!

Another howl. Louder this time.

She paused for a moment as she lay on the carpet in pain.

Am I the wolf?

She tried again, not trying to stand on her two feet but rather like a wolf. Her body lifted, easier this time, and she stood on all fours.

Suddenly the door burst open, and Queen Azura stood in the doorway clutching her nightdress.

“Are you okay?” She asked with wide eyes. Her hair was disheveled; she had clearly jumped out of bed.

[My Wolf!] She screamed before realizing she couldn’t speak in this form.

“Ah, yes. I didn’t mention it.”

[What do you mean you didn’t mention it?]

They spoke the entire day—after the meeting with Claude, then after dinner. There were different opportunities for her to mention it. She was now starting to understand why she felt a little different earlier.

“I wanted you to notice it first. It was how your injuries healed so fast.”

[Wait, what did you do?]

“I broke the silly charm. Vilhelm probably had a High Priestess do it. They are the only ones in Earndor that have some semblance of magic.”

[Magic?]

“He probably did it so I wouldn’t find you like this.”

[Like—]

Maya’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she realized she was conversing with her mother despite being a wolf.

She chuckled. “Get some sleep, Maya. I’ll explain better in the morning.”

[Wait!]

But her mother was gone, slamming the door in her face.

Maya lifted one of her paws, then the other, staring at her paw pads. She wiggled them and they moved as she wanted.

I really have my wolf

She took a step forward then a step back. She wagged her tail, tilting her head as far as it would go to get a better look at it.

Her coat was shining black; even her tail was black, not a single light color. Her eyes were also sharper; she could see the whole room despite the darkness and it felt like she would be able to see farther than usual.

She looked at her paws again then jumped slightly. She felt so light, despite how much heavier she was.

No wonder they can run so fast.

She bounced again, enjoying the springy feeling. She wondered just how high she would be able to jump.

Suddenly her bedroom door opened again and Azura poked her head. “Go to sleep, Maya.”

[Yes, Mother.] She whispered sheepishly while standing in the middle of her room, her tail still wagging.