Chapter 150: The Gravestone

Maya twisted her neck as she looked around. Memories poured through her mind as she stood behind the orphanage. This was a spot she frequented; she was certain.

The huge tree that stood in front was one that she had fallen from more times than she could count. She wouldn’t stop climbing despite not having any strength to hold herself up. She always wanted to try the things Marcus did.

"I wanted to show you this," Winnie said, pulling her attention behind the tree.

She was pointing to something and Maya walked closer to get a better look. Her eyes widened as she saw the headstone with her name—PENELOPE—carved on the stone.

"I have a grave?" She asked, looking at Winnie.

"Yes," she replied, nodding her head. "Only your grave and the old matron’s grave have names, but this one stands out."

"Who made the grave?" Maya asked.

The gravestone was well preserved but she could tell it had been sitting here for quite some time. There was a crack by the side, and the stone looked bleached from standing in the sun and rain for so long.

"I don’t know, but it has been here for as long as I remember. When you first told me who you were, I forgot about the grave as I haven’t been behind the orphanage in so long."

"I had no idea," she replied and stretched out her hand to touch the headstone.

Did the old matron put up a grave for her? If she had a grave, she could see why Keenan never thought she was Penn. She had always felt a slight anger at that.

She had recognized him the instant they met again. Even without the emerald necklace, she would have known it was him but she looked too different for him to remember.

She understood that it had been so long, but it wasn’t just his face that made him recognizable to her.

"Should I have never shown you?" Winnie asked with concern.

Maya pulled her hand from the headstone as she stood upright. She wondered what kind of look she had on her face for Winnie to ask that.

"No, I am glad you did. I was just surprised anyone would go this far. Most of the young children that were buried didn’t get more than a wooden headstone without names but I got a stone one."

"Yes, you’re right," she replied and touched her chin. "I didn’t think much about it as it’s similar to the old matron’s gravestone, but it is odd. Do you think your adoptive father has something to do with it?"

"Very likely. My roots were a well-kept secret and despite getting adopted by the age of five, the servants don’t know I am adopted."

"If he didn’t ever want anyone to find out, I can see the High Alpha going that far."

"I want to pull it down. It’s uncomfortable seeing my name on a gravestone. I am glad you told me."

"If you tell Alpha Keenan, you can do that," Winnie grinned.

Maya’s eyes dimmed as she remembered that Winnie had not been able to speak to Asher.

"Don’t even think about it," Winnie replied as if reading her mind. "Just because I couldn’t, doesn’t mean you won’t. There has just been a slight change of plans and you have to go first."

Maya nodded. "I’ll tell him tonight."

"Yay! Shall we head for the beach then?" Winnie asked and grabbed her arm.

"Yes," she replied.

As they walked away from the orphanage toward the beach, Maya remembered she had named the cat Miss Mae. She didn’t know why she did that but a huge part of her had wanted to test the waters—to leave some clue. And now that she had seen the grave, she couldn’t wait to announce that she was alive.

---

Miss Mae.

Asher wasn’t quite sure why the name echoed in his head. Something about that name sounded familiar but he couldn’t quite place his finger on it.

Lily had announced as soon as he walked out that the Alpha’s mate had named the kitten Miss Mae. He had barely acknowledged her words as he rushed out without looking in her direction. Winnie’s presence had completely soured his mood.

He knocked twice on the door of the Alpha’s private study and, without waiting to be invited, he walked in to see Alpha Keenan slouched at his desk.

He didn’t know what Winnie wanted to speak to him about but from her expression, he could tell it was something unpleasant. She had the same nervous reaction she always had when he was near.

She had finally decided to break this. He couldn’t bear it. He had done everything she asked and after waiting for so long, she was going to end things.

"Asher," Keenan called.

"Alpha," he replied with a nod.

"You’re here early. The bonfire doesn’t start until evening."

"I figured I’d best have a word with you before things became a little rowdy."

"Did something happen at the orphanage? Winnie told me she was stopping by with Maya."

Asher’s brows knotted. Two things bothered him. First, Keenan could tell something was wrong. Second was the casual way he spoke about Maya. He didn’t particularly care about her—he was willing to do anything to carry out Keenan’s vengeance—but the hate he was used to sounded diluted.

Also, Keenan seemed to have given her permission to leave. He wasn’t curious enough to ask. He wouldn’t poke his nose in Keenan’s relationship, just like the Alpha wouldn’t ask unsolicited questions about his.

"Not the orphanage," he replied. "I think since the maid arrived, we have been under constant watch," he said.

"Vilhelm? Do we need to stay alert?" Keenan returned with a deep frown.

"Nothing out of the ordinary has happened yet. At first I thought I may have been overreacting but I am quite certain now. I tried to pursue last night but they always kept the same distance."

"What do you suggest we do? Do we cancel the bonfire?"

It was brief, but Asher could see the exhaustion on his Alpha’s expression—and it wasn’t just physical exhaustion.

"No, I’ll handle the patrol for tonight. I’ll raise an alarm if anything goes wrong but it doesn’t feel like an attack."

More like they are waiting for something.