"Perhaps he should join us for breakfast or dinner tomorrow, Alpha Keenan? Wouldn’t that be splendid?" Alaina asked.
The air around the table was tense, Winnie retreated into her shell, her eyes cast low as she ate her al in silence.
Keenan still hadn’t looked away from Claude. Even while Alaina spoke, his attention remained fixed. He wasn’t pleased she had brought up a private topic about Asher in Claude’s presence.
The Alpha was far too eager for any information he could get and the more information he had, the more troubleso he beca.
"Wouldn’t that be splendid, Alpha Keenan?" Claude asked before Keenan could silence Alaina.
There was a hint of mockery in his voice, and the smile on his face as he repeated Alaina’s words was all Keenan needed to confirm that once again Claude was poking fun at him.
"You haven’t introduced your Beta to ," he added. "It’s only fair I et him."
Alaina was smiling as Claude took her side, completely unaware of what she had done. "I am glad you agree with , Alpha Claude," she grinned. "I’ll send for him in the morning."
"You will do no such thing," Keenan finally turned toward Alaina, his eyes blazing hard enough that her smile disappeared instantly.
Alaina shrank, and her face slightly reddened as she realized that Keenan was quite angry at her suggestion. Hilbert equally shot her a glare for speaking to Claude so casually.
Alaina opened her mouth to defend herself in so way, as everyone was looking at her differently now, but the words didn’t make it out.
"What’s the big deal?" Claude asked with a patronizing tone. "Perhaps I should make my way to the orphanage and introduce myself instead."
Keenan returned his attention to his al. His grip on his fork was hard. Claude was constantly getting him to react, and Alaina had just given him another thing to use.
"Do as you like," Keenan replied.
He wanted Claude to do the opposite of that, but he knew if he showed the slightest dislike at the idea, that was the exact thing Claude was going to do. He was going to act disinterested, hoping it would deter Claude.
He knew it was a little too late to act in this manner after his outburst, but he had no other choice. He couldn’t stop Claude from doing whatever he wanted but he could at least make it less interesting.
The Alpha might not do anything deliberately malicious, but nothing would stop him from pushing the limit. Reining in Claude required too much energy while also watching Maya’s reaction to him.
He lifted his gaze again, just in ti to see Maya look away from Claude. Keenan’s jaw tightened, and he put a bite into his mouth. Chewing gave him sothing to focus on other than his anger.
"Wonderful," Claude replied. "Then would you be kind enough to direct to the orphanage?"
He looked right at Alaina as he asked the question. He didn’t care for her; he would rather ignore her for the rest of his stay here. But Alaina seed to have all the information, and not only that, but unlike tight-lipped Theo, she seed very willing to give it up.
"Tomorrow morning, Alpha Claude?" Alaina asked a little too eagerly.
The situation wasn’t completely ruined. Alpha Claude seed particularly fond of the idea. She smiled brightly, knowing she still had so control. Theo looked uncomfortable beside her, and even though Keenan looked annoyed, he didn’t stop it. He just ate his dinner quietly.
"After breakfast would be just fine," Claude replied and t Keenan’s gaze. His expression teased Keenan, daring him to try to stop him.
Keenan didn’t break eye contact. "Theo," he called.
"Yes, Alpha."
"Go with them."
Claude raised an eyebrow. "I don’t need a chaperone. She’s enough."
"You’re in my territory," he replied. "It’s my job to make sure no misfortune befalls you."
"That’s Hilbert’s job. I appreciate the concern, but it’s absolutely unnecessary, Alpha Keenan." His voice was unusually light and playful.
Keenan’s expression didn’t change. He might not be able to stop Claude, but he could monitor his movents. Theo would keep an eye on him. The Alpha’s refusal only highlighted that Theo’s presence was important.
"I insist."
"Very well," Claude tore his gaze away from Keenan and returned his attention to his al.
He wasn’t worried that Theo’s presence would ruin his plan, only that the plan would reach Keenan’s ears. This, of course, wasn’t enough to stop him; rather, he was curious to see how Keenan would react when he found out.
Maya looked at Claude. She had been stealing glances at him the entirety of dinner. She didn’t know what to make of him; he exuded conflicting auras. On one hand, she found him threatening; on the other hand, she found him friendly, nice, and easygoing.
She could tell he was trying to anger Keenan, but he also didn’t seem like the enemy. She also thought they were on friendly terms, but Keenan didn’t like Claude. She couldn’t say the sa for the visiting Alpha, she could tell he was enjoying himself.
She tore her gaze away from him and tried to concentrate on her al. She froze as she locked eyes with Keenan. His brows furrowed, and she felt a jolt of energy in her spine. She looked down, pretending that it did not just happen.
The rest of dinner went on in silence; not even Alaina spoke. The awkward air still hung in the room, and Keenan’s mood didn’t seem to have improved.
"Alpha Claude," Keenan called as he stood to his feet after eating. "Might I have a word?"
"Oh," Claude replied and dropped his napkin. "I don’t see why not."
He stood up, and Hilbert did the sa, following after his Alpha. "Lady Maya," Claude said with a little nod before walking toward the exit.
Maya sat upright in her seat as all eyes turned to her. Claude seed friendly, but all of his actions put her in a very awkward position. She smiled as politely as she could afford in this situation.
She didn’t dare look in Keenan’s direction as they walked side by side. She felt his eyes as he passed, but there was another pair that was just as heavy. Alaina scoffed and adjusted in her seat while glaring at Maya.
Claude kept his expression blank; his actions were not without reason. He knew exactly what role they wanted Maya to play, but he was offsetting it by her title.
There were a few things that didn’t add up for him, and he already had a clue, but he still needed more pieces to confirm his theory.
"What was it you wanted to discuss?" He asked Keenan as they walked down the corridor toward the stairs.
Claude was sure Keenan’s room was in the opposite direction. Yet, Keenan was walking toward the stairs that led to the second floor, and not only that, but he wasn’t saying anything, despite wanting to have a word with him.
"When do you intend to leave?"
Claude narrowed his eyes. "You should stop asking that question and just enjoy my presence."
"You have no reason to be here."
"Are you worried that I am a spy for Vilhelm? Worry not. I am not here to help him get his daughter back."
"What are you playing at?" Keenan asked instead, not taking the bait.
"Always so direct. Haven’t I told you to be subtle sotis? Your insecurities are showing."
"Tch."
They were on the second floor now, re feet away from Claude’s bedroom.
"Good night, Claude," Keenan said and turned around.
Hilbert’s jaw hardened as Keenan called his Alpha by his first na, but Claude was unaffected. Rather, Claude was pleased because he knew he had hit a nerve.
"Is that it?" He asked, stopping Keenan in his tracks.
"You should get so sleep," Keenan replied without looking back as he began to walk again. "The journey must have been taxing."
Claude chuckled. "You know you’re not as sleek as you’d like to think. Good night, Keenan."
Claude watched Keenan until he disappeared from view. The Alpha had followed him all the way here to make sure he got to his room. Claude almost laughed. He really was being too cautious about a woman he claid to hate.
"Alpha, you really shouldn’t let him speak to you so casually."
Claude jerked his head toward Hilbert, rembering he wasn’t alone. "I’ll allow it. I provoked him first. Do a favor, Hilbert."
"Yes, Alpha."
"Remain in your room for the remainder of tonight, regardless of what you hear."
Hilbert’s expression fell; he had expected so task, not to be dismissed. "As you wish. Are you retiring now?" He asked.
"Very soon," he smiled and looked toward the stairs.
The hallway was dark; it would be easy for him to blend into the darkness. It wasn’t that he wanted to hide, but he didn’t want to stand out. Claude smiled as he leaned against the wall. He wouldn’t have to wait long.
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