Maya carefully brushed her hair as she prepared to go to the dining room. It was taking so ti, but she was patient and wanted to avoid knots. She started from the bottom and brushed her way to the top of her hair. She carefully untangled her hair and kept brushing until the brush ran through easily.
Soon enough, her hair was fully brushed, and the black waves bounced over her shoulders, finally free of the low bun she had tied for the past few days.
Maya shook her hair lightly with a smile on her face. It had been a while since she had felt the brush of her hair across the side of her face and behind her.
She placed the brush on the vanity, adjusted her dress, and walked toward her bedroom door. She stopped right in front of the door, her hand stretched out to touch the handle.
She would rather stay in this room than have to eat dinner dressed like this with Alpha Claude at the dinner table. It was far more humiliating than she had anticipated. She had expected it to feel no different from when she had done tasks around the house.
Unfortunately, there was no escaping it, and as she had run it through her head nurous tis before dinner, Maya steeled her resolve and stepped out of the bedroom.
It was quiet as she passed by the rooms, and she found herself staring more than she needed to as she tried to figure out if the rooms were empty or not. Maya walked past the door without easing the anxiety that was spreading in her chest.
The stairs creaked as she made her way down to the first floor, and Maya prayed that she wouldn’t run into Keenan on the way. Twice in a row would be too much for her to handle.
She got to the doors and pushed them open. Claude sat at the end of the table, right next to where she usually sat, and on the other side was Hilbert. They both stopped speaking as soon as she opened the door and turned their attention to her.
They were the only ones seated at the table while the servants ran around, placing the different dishes and setting the table.
"Lady Maya," Claude called as soon as his eyes t hers. "So glad you could join us for dinner."
He was smiling as he spoke, his eyes examining her. He was not unaware of her appearance, yet he treated her as though he couldn’t see it.
His casual approach unsettled her. They were never friendly, and Claude had no reason to act familiar with her, especially dressed as she was.
"Alpha Claude," she called out, trying her best to hide her surprise and failing. She didn’t know how to put up the act as cleanly as he did.
Maya took a shaky step forward, and Hilbert rose to his feet, bowing slightly before returning to his seat. She was at a loss, and all she could do was smile politely as she walked closer. It was too late to run off now.
Maya didn’t sit where she usually would; she opted for one seat away, closer to Winnie. It was either that or she would have to sit next to Keenan. Besides, she doubted there was anywhere in this room that was safe from Claude’s eyes.
She found his stares less scary than Keenan’s. It was unsettling, but that was easier than scary, unpredictable, dangerous, and hateful.
Claude was still dressed in the sa attire he had worn in the drawing room, but instead of letting the coat hang off his shoulders, he had at least put it on properly.
Maya didn’t seem to care about this, and she made sure not to stare. The only few tis they had t were in social situations, and their conversations had been brief. The only information she knew about him were rumors and comnts from her father.
Father often called him bloodthirsty, but it was easy to guess why, as Alpha Claude was in charge of the royal army. He had also beco Alpha at the young age of fifteen after his father’s murder.
Maya was unaware of the circumstances surrounding his death, but it was the main cause of the war between the two kingdoms that had spanned decades. Most of the children in the orphanage had parents who were killed in battle.
"Lady Maya," Claude called as soon as she sat down.
Maya felt cold sweat drip down her back, and she glanced toward the door, hoping soone would walk in. It was awkward, and Claude’s nonchalant attitude made it worse.
"Have you heard any word from your father since you arrived in Verlassen?" He softly asked, striking up a conversation again as he had done when she served tea.
She jerked her head in his direction before she realized it. That was the last thing she had expected to be asked. She knew Claude and Father had so grievances—ones that neither spoke of but they weren’t cordial. Especially after Claude support of Keenan.
"I—"
Maya’s words dried in her throat as the door opened and Alaina walked into the dining room hand in hand with Theo. A few feet behind them was Winnie, she followed in with a strained look on her face.
"Alpha Claude," Alaina said proudly as she stepped away from Theo and bowed, drawing all the attention to herself even though Winnie and Theo were equally bowing. They partially reacted to her saying his na but didn’t say a word.
Claude’s eyes squinted slightly, and he gave a tight smile before returning his attention to Maya. "Is that a yes or a no?"
"No," Maya replied.
Alaina’s palms ford fists as she stood upright. She loudly walked past Alpha Claude as if to distract from the conversation while glaring at Maya.
She took her seat with a displeased look on her face while Theo awkwardly sat next to her. He seed worried about her change in mood.
"I see," Claude tilted his head. He looked as though he might say sothing else, but Keenan chose that exact mont to barge in.
"Alpha," Alaina squealed and was on her feet. Her smile was wide, and she looked like she might run to him.
Keenan walked in slowly, his eyes on Claude’s direction. He didn’t miss the way he faced Maya. Sohow, he could tell so kind of exchange had occurred between them.
"Alpha," Claude called, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How nice of you to join us."
Maya stiffened. Claude was speaking to Keenan, yet he wouldn’t look away from her, and she could feel Keenan’s glare at the top of her head.
"I believe that’s my line," Keenan said darkly. "I thought you left."
Claude smirked. "I figured it was best to stay as long as I can. You don’t mind, do you?"
Keenan pulled back his chair, scraping it loudly across the floor, before he took his seat. "I am sure you can’t wait to go back to your territory. Verlassen doesn’t suit you."
"I’ll have to disagree," Claude said, finally looking away from Maya to Keenan—but only briefly. "I quite enjoy the sights," he added and looked back at Maya.
Keenan’s nose flared, and the room grew tense. Maya’s hands twisted in her lap. Keenan’s glare had gotten worse. She didn’t know exactly what was happening, but it felt like she was in the middle of it.
"Alpha," Alaina suddenly called out, drawing attention to herself once again.
The aroma of at, vegetables, and sweet potatoes filled the air as servants moved to serve the als. Maya’s mouth watered, but anxiety made her throat tight.
"What?" Keenan reluctantly replied. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Claude’s sly grin. He wanted nothing more than to wipe it off his face.
"I wondered if perhaps Beta Asher should have joined us? It’s only fair. After all, he is such an important mber of this household—especially with our distinguished guests."
Maya flinched; she couldn’t help it. Alaina didn’t have to glance in her direction for her to know she ant that Maya was unimportant and not a part of this household. She raised her head, and Alaina’s lips curled up in a smile.
Claude narrowed his eyes and leaned back, examining the interaction. Hilbert was quiet, but only because Claude had given strict instructions for him not to interrupt during dinner ti.
"Asher’s work in the orphanage is pretty important, and his—"
Alaina shot Winnie a look. "It was simply a suggestion, and he originally wasn’t staying in the orphanage."
Winnie shrank, and Theo looked uncomfortable. Maya wondered if Asher had originally been staying at the main house and if there was a reason he had to leave.
"Perhaps he should join us for breakfast or dinner tomorrow, Alpha Keenan? Wouldn’t that be splendid?" She looked around the table with a bright smile, as if garnering supporters.
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