Chapter 153: Miss Mae

"What did you want to talk about?" Keenan asked Asher as they walked away from the beach to avoid the noise and the chance of any interruption.

"I won’t be at the bonfire," Asher said. "I’ll keep watch."

"No," he cut in. "This is one of the few times the whole town can come together and celebrate. You have to be a part of it. You must."

"I can’t," Asher replied.

Asher’s palms closed and he glanced at the distant bonfire that was bright enough to light the town if it were placed in the middle of it.

"Why not?" Keenan asked with a frown, noticing his Beta’s body language.

"I just can’t," he replied as his eyes scanned the beach. She would be there any moment and he wouldn’t be able to avoid her this time.

"Is it something you can talk about?" He asked.

"No."

He couldn’t bring himself to tell his Alpha that he was simply running away. He just wanted to stall for as much as he could before his fated mate would reject him.

"Should I be worried?" Keenan asked.

"No, call it cowardice."

"Cowardice?" His brows creased for a moment and then his expression softened as he understood. "Should I assign someone to join you?"

"No, Alpha. I don’t think we have any reason to be worried tonight. I haven’t noticed any sign. Perhaps because most of the townspeople are moving around. I’ll let you know the instant something changes."

Keenan sighed. "If you insist, I won’t stop you but if you change your mind, you should join us."

Keenan wanted to add more but he stopped himself. Asher had spent too long fighting Keenan’s battles. It was time to let his Beta deal with his problems however he saw fit and no matter how long it took, he would wait.

"I will," he said and started to walk away.

"Asher, one more thing."

"Yes," he softly replied and turned to look at him.

"Do you remember Miss Mae?"

Asher’s face turned serious, and he walked back. "Yes. Did you run into the kitten that Lily won’t let go of?"

"She told me someone named it."

"Someone?"

"Yeah, she."

"She? The kitten was called ’Kitten’ until Winnie and Maya arrived at the orphanage this morning."

"Winnie named the cat Miss Mae?"

"You’d have to ask her. However, I do know she has no recollection of the time before we were sent to the mines. I find it hard to believe she remembers Miss Mae but Alaina probably told her about it."

"Alaina," he mumbled. "Okay."

"Why?" Asher asked.

"I don’t know," he replied and touched the bridge of his nose.

"Penn?"

Keenan grabbed the emerald necklace around his neck, gently caressing the gemstone. "Yes."

"I am sorry."

"Ha. You should go. I am sure you want to get away as soon as you can."

Asher bowed slightly before withdrawing, leaving Keenan standing alone. He looked toward the beach, and even through the crowd, he could make out Maya as she wandered around with the little child stuck to her heel.

---

"Winnie."

"Winnie," Maya whispered as she walked around with Lily. The child refused to leave her side. Now she was half searching for Winnie to appease her.

"Lady Maya," a voice drew her attention in the midst of a group.

"Agnes," she called and approached them, quickly realizing that most of the members of the group were the servants who worked in the castle.

There was a very large covered pot in their midst, on a large table and several covered containers were lined up in the area. They looked to be getting ready to serve.

"I didn’t think you’d come by," she said. Despite her choice of words, it sounded more friendly than insulting.

"I wouldn’t miss it," she quickly replied.

"Where is Winnie?"

"I have been trying to find her," she said and looked past Agnes, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

"Huh? Is that Lily by your side?" She queried with shock, noticing the little girl clinging to Maya’s dress.

"Yes, we are searching for Winnie together."

"Have you eaten, child?"

Lily shook her head.

"Would you like some food?"

"Yes, please," she replied softly, still clinging to Maya and only poking her head out as she hid behind her dress.

"Good. What about you, Lady Maya?"

"I will wait for Winnie."

"Very well. A plate for the little Lily."

"Yes, Agnes," one of the maids replied.

She opened the largest pot and a tantalizing aroma mixed with several spices floated up in the air. It was a rich soup with diced vegetables and meat floating at the top. Maya’s mouth watered at the sight of it and Lily leaned closer.

"Where is Palmer?" she asked to distract herself.

"Trying to get a hold of my son. Ever since he shifted, he won’t stop and he seems to enjoy how fast he can run. She is trying to get him to show up on time to a party that is thrown in his honor."

As Agnes spoke, she shook her head in disappointment but Maya could see the look of pride in her expression. She tried not to think about the fact that she was lacking a wolf but it was hard to. It didn’t help that she could see a few teenagers shifting and running around the bonfire.

"Here," the maid said and handed the warm bowl to Maya.

She accepted it and the maid gave her an apple to go with it. "The roast pork should be ready soon. You can come back for a slice."

Maya nodded and walked away with the bowl in hand. She found a stone and made Lily sit on it while she sat on the sand. It was soft and comfortable and with her thick dress, she didn’t have to worry about insects.

"Would you like me to help you eat?"

"No," she replied with an amused chuckle. "I eat by myself. I will be six in winter. I am not a baby."

"You’re right," Maya said with a sad smile. They all had their birthdays in winter, the children who were abandoned at birth.

"Why do they call you Lady Maya?" Lily asked as Maya offered her the bowl of soup in exchange for the injured cat.

"Oh. Well, because—"

"She’s the daughter of an alpha," Winnie said and stopped right in front of them.

"Winnie," Maya cried and would have stood up to welcome her if she didn’t have a kitten in her lap. "I’ve looked everywhere for you."

"Winnie," Lily called excitedly.

"Hi, my wee little darling." She dropped to the sand and sat next to Maya. "I am sorry, I was held back by my sister."

Maya stiffened and turned to face her. "What did she do?"

Winnie scoffed. "Pay her no mind. She says the same thing all the time. It is most unfortunate that she is the only family member I have left." Winnie sighed.

"I am sorry," she replied. It was all she could say. Any more and she would be lying. She didn’t like Alaina; she couldn’t bring herself to pretend otherwise.

"What are you apologizing for? Besides, our mates are practically brothers. That means we are sisters now," she said and with a giggle and Maya nodded along. "That reminds me, have you seen Asher?"

"Yes, he took Alpha Keenan away moments before you arrived."

"Oh my, I knew something was up. He left you."

"Winnie, you made him come with him in the first place. Beta Asher had something important to discuss with Alpha Keenan."

"What direction did they head?"

"Are you going to find him?"

"Yes, I still have to keep my end of the bargain first. There are only a few hours before you will speak to Alpha Keenan." She stood on her feet and dusted the sand off her body.

"You’re leaving?" Lily asked.

"I’ll be back," she said and stretched out her hand to wipe off the stain on the corner of Lily’s lips.

"We will be here. Good luck."

"I need it," Winnie said with a tight smile.

"Is she okay?" Lily asked with concern as she watched Winnie walk away from them.

"She is," she replied, petting the gray kitten. "There is just something she needs to do right now."

---

Winnie didn’t have to walk too far before she found Alpha Keenan. He was casually chatting with some of the townsfolk as he walked around the beach.

He spotted her quickly and started toward her. Winnie frowned slightly, wondering if he knew she needed to speak to him.

"Alpha," she called as she got close enough.

"Winnie, did you just arrive?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Where is Theo?"

Her expression darkened slightly. "He should be here soon. Alaina is ill and won’t make it to the celebration. He is making sure his mate is fine before he leaves the main house."

"I see," he replied with a thoughtful expression.

"Alpha Keenan, have you seen Beta Asher? I haven’t seen him anywhere and Maya said he was with you."

"He is on patrol," he replied.

Winnie felt self-conscious at the way he studied her. "May I ask where he headed first? I must have a word with him now."

Winnie didn’t want to think about it but she was starting to feel like he was avoiding her. He could have sent for her at any point during the day but for some reason, she still hadn’t run into him yet.

"That way," he said and pointed to his right.

"Thank you, Alpha Keenan," she said and started to walk away. She just needed the general direction; her nose should be able to pick up his scent.

"Wait, Winnie. Did you name the children’s kitten?"

"What? A kitten? Oh, the kitten with Lily. No, I didn’t."

"Miss Mae—you didn’t name the kitten that?"

She frowned and shook her head. "No, I didn’t. Maya probably did—she was with the children for longer and now Lily follows her everywhere." She smiled at her comment.

"Maya named the kitten Miss Mae?"

"I d-don’t know. I didn’t name the kitten, and we went together." She didn’t like the taste in her mouth. The name seemed to be a big deal to Keenan; she didn’t want Maya to be in trouble.

"Have you ever heard the name before now?" he asked with a deeper frown.

"No," she replied and shook her head.

"Okay. Where is Maya?"

"Past the bonfire, a few feet away from Agnes," she hesitantly told him. She didn’t understand what was going on and she hoped Maya wasn’t in any trouble.