Chapter 155: Where is Maya?

It took Keenan a moment to find Lily. She was holding the same kitten he had seen earlier with a lost look on her face as she wandered around. She was alone. He walked toward her, stopping a few feet away.

"Alpha," she called with a look of relief.

"Lily," he softly spoke, leaning forward so she could speak to him more easily. "Where is Maya?"

"I don’t know where she went," she replied and held the kitten tighter. "She said she would be back."

"Where did she say she was going?"

She turned around and pointed toward the food section where Agnes stood. "To return the bowl," she replied.

"Let’s go ask," he said.

Lily nodded and walked next to him, looking relieved that someone was there to help.

"Agnes," Keenan called as he walked closer.

The people and servants around immediately bowed to him, calling out greetings. He smiled politely at them as Agnes approached him while wiping her hands on a napkin.

"Alpha Keenan," she called with a smile, stepping away from the crowd so they could speak privately.

"Lily," she called when she noticed the little one by his leg. "Where is Maya?"

"That’s what I came here to ask."

Agnes lifted her head back up to look at Keenan. "I haven’t seen her since she came to get food for Lily."

"She returned the bowl," Lily cried.

"She did? I didn’t see her. Perhaps she wandered off."

"She said she would be back," Lily insisted.

"Okay. Thanks, Agnes. I’ll check around."

"If I do see her or hear anything, I’ll be sure to let you know, Alpha."

"That’s fine."

Keenan started to walk away but Lily didn’t leave—instead, she hung closer. He felt bad about chasing her off and since they were both looking for the same person, he let her follow him around.

"Alpha," a familiar voice called.

Keenan turned his head to see Theo walking down toward him. He looked to have just arrived. "Theo."

"Have you seen Asher? I just arrived and there isn’t any sign of him."

"He is on patrol," Keenan explained.

Theo frowned. "Alone? Tonight?"

"He prefers it that way."

Theo’s eyes narrowed. "He doesn’t want help?"

"No."

"He always does that," he replied with a sigh.

"Where is your mate?" On an occasion like this, Alaina tended to keep Theo preoccupied; it was strange to see him by himself.

"She is ill and won’t be attending the—" Theo stopped speaking as he felt a tug on his leg. He looked down to see Lily.

"Theo," she whispered.

"Lily," he called with a bright smile, reached down and picked her up. "What are you doing here with Alpha Keenan?"

"We are looking for Lady Maya," she replied with glee as he picked her up. She wiggled her legs excitedly.

"Maya?" He turned to Keenan. "Are you looking for her?"

"Yes, I haven’t seen her in a while."

"She returned to the main house with the new maid. I figured she was tired and was retiring."

"Is that so?" Keenan asked with a dark look in his eyes.

"She won’t leave," Lily mumbled. "We are waiting for Winnie."

"Winnie?"

"She went after your brother," Keenan explained.

"Why would she do that?"

"I don’t know," Keenan said and looked into the distance.

"I will take her to Frances," Theo mumbled with a dejected look in his eyes.

"Do that," Keenan said and started to walk away.

He didn’t like how he felt. Why did he care that she left without saying anything? Was it because they came together?

He did leave her alone but he was going to come back. Despite how awkward it had felt, he didn’t hate her company, and he needed to ask her a question.

Keenan swore out loud. He could have asked the kid, but now he didn’t even want to do that. He lifted his hand to the necklace. He was holding on to the past—he knew that—but it was thoughts of Penn that kept him alive in the mines and in the High Alpha’s mansion.

He should return to the party. He could get his answer later. Besides, there was no way Maya could have named the kitten. They just had similar features, is all.

---

Sand littered the floor of the bedroom as the broken flowerpot lay shattered across the ground. The two women, Bess and Margaret, had carefully moved Maya away from the litter to avoid making more mess.

Her maid shifted and the unconscious Maya was strapped to her back. She was ready to set out and she looked to Alaina, who had a dark look on her face as she held the letter.

"You’re sure it says what I asked?!" She yelled.

The maid nodded and started toward the door. It was pretty clear Alaina didn’t know how to read—no matter how hard she stared at the letter, she kept trying to confirm the contents.

"Very well. Bess, lead her through the secret path. The last thing I want is for anyone to see us."

"What about the mess?" Bess asked with concern. One look was enough for anyone to know something was wrong.

Alaina’s eyes darkened as she looked at the flowerpot shattered on the ground. "I’ll take care of it. Now hurry—if you’re caught, you’re dead to me."

"I won’t get caught," Bess replied and rushed out of the room with Margaret on her heels.

Bess rushed down the stairs and led them toward the direction of the kitchen. Just before they got there, she diverted and headed toward the cellar. They moved through the quiet, dark house easily.

Bess kept her eyes and ears peeled to avoid running into anyone but she was quite certain the house was quiet. Alaina had made sure of it before Margaret was sent to get Maya.

A part of her worried about what they were doing but the High Alpha’s daughter was nothing but evil and she deserved to leave. Not only was she cruel to their Alpha but Alaina had told her all about her evil plot for the town.

Her marriage was simply an avenue for the High Alpha to have control over Verlassen again. She was not going to let that happen. She would do anything to protect her town and her Alpha.