Chapter 180: Rest of them

Her mother held her until her tears quietened and her shoulders stopped shaking. After some time, when she was a little confident she wouldn’t burst into uncontrollable tears, she pulled away.

A wet smudge in the shape of a cloud sat around where her head had pressed against her clothes.

"I am sorry," she whispered and tried to wipe off the wet patch.

"No, no. Don’t apologize," Azura replied and patted her shoulder. "It’s the least I can do."

"I ruined your dress," she mumbled as she moved her hands to her red eyes, wiping her face.

"Ruin it all you want. I have many more that you can equally ruin," she replied with a sad smile.

Maya nodded and slowly tried to move to an upright position, but her hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"I don’t think you should move just yet."

"I feel fine," she replied.

"Does anywhere hurt?" Azura asked as she moved her hand to let Maya sit up.

She shook her head as she sat upright, throwing her legs over the bed. She did feel strange though—not unpleasant, just unusual.

Also, she was pretty sure Theo had bitten her, yet the wounds on her arm didn’t hurt. She pulled on the sleeve of the loose clothes she wore to get a better look.

Four scars from where his canines pierced into her forearm. She frowned. It should take at least two weeks for the wound to heal and at least another two weeks for it to scar like this.

"How long was I asleep?"

"About three days."

"Three?" It was still not nearly enough. "My wounds are healed."

"I helped," she replied with a shrug and a smile.

"Thanks. What did you do?" She wondered if it had anything to do with the statement she made about being too late.

"That’s not for you to worry about. We can discuss everything else later. Lord knows I have enough questions to take up the whole day—and so do you."

Maya nodded and lifted her head from her arm to look at the woman who said she was her mother. She was fascinated by how easily she believed her.

The water ball display was quite convincing. However, she had a feeling that even without it, she would have. She felt right.

"You said Keenan was here?" She blurted out. It was hard not to think about him.

"Yes," Azura replied softly, placing a hand on her legs. "We will discuss it after you have eaten. A shower too would be nice."

"That’s okay," she replied and turned away. "I don’t want to see him."

"Oh," she raised a brow. "I would have assumed he was the father."

"Yes," she replied, feeling her heart squeeze a little. She focused her attention on the empty cup to stop the tears. "It is better like this."

"Very well. Shall I send the rest of them away?"

"Rest of them?" She asked with a frown.

"Rudor?"

"Ah, yes," he replied and stepped forward.

Maya turned her gaze to him. She had completely forgotten about his presence until he spoke. He was right in front of her. How did she not notice?

"Claude and his guard, the Princess of Earndor and her maid, I believe."

"Claude and Hilbert. Eleanor and Zoe, perhaps? What are they doing here? Did something happen?" She looked from one to the other.

Rudor opened his mouth to speak but immediately closed it as Azura held up a hand. He bowed and took a step back.

"Your meal and a warm shower, then perhaps we shall spare them some audience—excluding the young man, Keenan. How does that sound to you?"

"That’s fine," she replied, despite the crippling curiosity.

"Wonderful. Where is that meal I asked for, Rudor? Maya is famished."

"Maya? Is that the name you gave me, or did you hear Winnie call—Winnie! How did I forget?"

"If you mean the young woman who was with you, she is fine, and it was quite easy to convince her that I am your mother. She let me take you without any struggle, but I am sure it was because she was concerned about your well-being."

Maya let out a breath. "I am glad. The name?"

"As for your name, yes, I did. You were named after my late mother—your grandmother. It’s a pity she isn’t here right now. Your disappearance and Virgil’s death worsened her already ill health. She died barely two years later."

Maya gasped. "I am so sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but a knock interrupted. Azura looked toward the door.

"That should be your meal."

Rudor was quick to make his way to the door. He opened it, and a young maid appeared. She kept her head bent and walked toward them with a tray.

"Eat. You need nutrients. Whatever questions you may have can wait."

Maya nodded as she accepted the tray, pushing thoughts of the High Alpha away. He was the one who gave her the name.

She didn’t think much of it. Besides, he didn’t want anyone to know she was from the orphanage; it made sense at the time that her name would be changed.

But to give her the same as her original name was hardly a coincidence. He must have known who she was. Either he stole her himself or he knew someone who did.

It was more than a little cruel. It was quite vicious.

"Is there anything about the meal you don’t like? I’ll have the maid change it immediately."

The young girl stiffened, but she kept her gaze down as she waited.

"No," she said and picked up her cutlery to take a bite.

"I made sure it is something easy to digest. You haven’t eaten anything other than liquids in three days. It is best if you stick with wheat and soup for today, at least. Some fruits won’t be bad, but nothing that will trouble your stomach."

Maya nodded as she spoke, chewing lightly. "Thank you," she said, but it wasn’t just for the meal.