Chapter 139: The Same One

"We can go to the beach before we return. What do you think?"

"The beach?" She asked with wide eyes.

"You don’t like the beach?" Winnie asked with a slight frown.

"No, that’s not it. I’ve wanted to go there. I haven’t seen it in so long."

She was just thinking about how she would tell Alpha Keenan. If he called her bringing lunch for him unnecessary, she was worried about what he would say if he found out she was going to the orphanage and the beach.

"Then, it’s a plan," she grinned. "Besides, it’s just an excuse. If things don’t go well, I’d like somewhere to run around and scream to my heart’s content."

"I am sure it will be fine," she replied even though she didn’t feel that way.

"Easy for you to say—I am terrified."

"Me too, but I’ll be terrified right beside you."

Winnie laughed. "Very well. You must keep your end of the bargain, okay?"

"I will," she smiled.

"Good," she said and tried to stifle a yawn.

Maya twisted her fingers. "I am a little worried about how Alpha Keenan will take me leaving the main house."

"Oh, leave that to me. We will deal with that in the morning," Winnie’s voice sounded muffled as the yawn escaped.

Maya smiled at her reply; it had been an intense worry for her and she had contemplated talking about it but Winnie easily dismissed it like it was nothing.

"Goodnight, Maya," she quickly added at the end of her yawn. "I am exhausted from today’s work. I will retire early. Also, the dishes were delicious. I enjoyed each—"

The dining doors opened a little too loudly and Alaina walked out. She caught sight of both of them standing to the side of the door and her gaze darkened.

"Not only are you helping the enemy, but you’re also conniving with her, Winnie."

Maya stiffened slightly, wondering how much of the conversation she had heard. There wasn’t much to give their plan away but even the slightest information was dangerous in her hands.

"Goodnight, Maya," Winnie repeated and started to pull away.

"Winifred!" Alaina’s voice echoed in the hallway, stopping Winnie in her tracks.

She stiffly turned around with an exaggerated smile on her face. "What is it, sister?"

Alaina stepped closer until she was mere inches away from her face. "Choosing the enemy over your own family. It will be your fault when we all get betrayed again."

Winnie stared directly into her sister’s eyes. "Is that really what this is, Alaina? Or are you worried Alpha Keenan would find out the truth?"

Alaina’s eyes widened and she jerked her head toward Maya in disbelief and then back at Winnie.

"I wonder what he would think or do, for that matter when he finds out you knew all this time."

Alaina’s face hardened, and her hands formed fists beside her. Her eyes blazed as she stared down at Winnie, then turned to Maya. She lifted her hand but was interrupted before she could say anything.

"Knew what?" Theo asked as he appeared by the door.

"Nothing important," Alaina replied too quickly, dropping her hand and softening her expression.

Winnie smiled and looked up at him. "Why don’t you ask your mate?" She turned to Maya. "Please go to sleep. Don’t let this bother you."

She turned around and walked away. Maya didn’t need to be told twice—she didn’t want to be here when Alaina decided to unleash her anger.

"Is that what the plan is?" Alaina asked with cold laughter.

The two women didn’t respond as they both headed in opposite directions.

"What plan?" Asked a very confused Theo.

"She has finally brainwashed my sister," she said and placed her head on his chest as she sniffled.

Maya looked back before she went up the stairs. There was a cold feeling in her stomach. She didn’t like the look Alaina had given her. She knew exactly the kind of person she was. She had been harassing them but as soon as Theo appeared, Alaina was quick to play the victim.

She had seen the genuine look of fear in her eyes at Winnie’s threat. She was almost certain Alaina didn’t want Alpha Keenan to know she knew.

Alaina also didn’t deny it. But "all this time" was vague. Did that mean she knew from the very beginning? When she left Verlassen?

Maya shook her head. She was most likely jumping to conclusions. There was no way Alaina knew from the beginning and remembered. They were not only children but the matron had been very secretive about it.

She got to her room and Margaret helped her get ready for bed. Maya was exhausted to her bones, and it affected how quickly she processed her thoughts. All she wanted to do was go to sleep. However, despite how sleepy she was, she knew she shouldn’t stay in her room.

There was less than a day before she had to tell him who she was. Maya wanted to get as close as she could now because by tomorrow everything was going to change. Whether for good or bad.

After chasing Margaret off again, she set out in her nightdress and robe. The hallways were quieter by this hour and all she could hear was hooting from an owl in the far distance.

Her footsteps sounded louder than usual and she walked slower making her way to his room with nothing but the moonlight shining on her path.

When she came to the door, Maya felt a slight coldness in her chest, but she wasn’t sure if it was because she had her hand pressed against it.

Her knock echoed in the dark and she could feel her heart rate increase at the second knock. Had he finally had enough, and would he chase her off this time?

"Come in," his voice sounded muffled through the wood but with the silence all around, she could easily pick it up.

She turned the handle and walked into the room, closing the door behind her. He was seated by the dresser, dressed in a robe. His hair was wet and it was clear he just had a bath. A candle sat on top of the dresser and by the light, he was holding up a locket.

Maya’s mouth nearly hit the ground and she was walking toward him before she could even think about it.

She was certain she had lost it. She could tell it was the same one. She hadn’t seen it in thirteen years. Not since the High Alpha had ripped it from her neck and tossed it aside before taking her away.

The locket he had given her was here. The one that belonged to his father and she had punished herself for losing it.

How did he have it? She was certain it had been destroyed. She didn’t dare think about it and it was one of the many reasons she was hesitant about telling him who she really was.

"What are you doing?"

Maya blinked, snapping out of it as she realized she was standing right in front of him, staring at the locket with intensity. What was she doing? Even if she was sleepy, that was no excuse.