The more Andrew looked at Maya the more he could not understand why Ashton would waste such a bright future just because of her!
What did she have that made the almighty alpha Ashton so stupid and irresponsible to the extent of abandoning his people?
“When did you meet with alpha Ashton?” Andrew inquired.
“It was on this particular day and I was going to be thrown into the lake by my previous pack. I had already accepted my fate and was ready to die, but Ashton did not hesitate to jump into the lake to save me.” Maya explained. Although she did not like talking about her past, she felt that the way this Andrew was so respectful of Ashton, he might be trustworthy.
“Why were you being thrown into the lake by your pack? What had you done?” Andrew asked. Was this girl a spy sent by the enemy to seduce Ashton before sending him to his death?
Had they planned the entire thing just to let Ashton act as a hero who saves the damsel in distress and then falls in love with her afterward?
“Which pack were you from?” Before Maya could answer the first question, Andrew asked another.
Maya looked at him and understood his concerns. Her arrival in this pack and how Ashton cared about her had raised a lot of questions and Andrew was not the first to be suspicious.
“I was raised in Windwinders pack and from what I know I was an abandoned kid from the woods who was saved by a kind-hearted soul. I was adopted by the beta of that pack and they had a daughter. I thought that we got along well but she hated me. Since she was going to get married to the future alpha and I happened to be her hindrance…. I think you can guess the rest.” Maya explained simply.
“After so many years of being treated like a slave, that was the first time that someone risked their lived for me and I owe him.” Maya continued.
“So alpha Ashton just saved you and brought you to our pack. At most you will only be a slave to the Alpha or they will let you go and maybe become a lone wolf, or a rogue, I wonder what it is that made Ashton risk his life for you, even abandoning his pack and his grandfather?” Andrew asked. His voice was not polite anymore.
Although Maya did not feel good about it, she was not ready to tell the man that Ashton was actually her mate.
“I guess that I am just lucky or the moon goddess kind of felt pity for my miserable life,” Maya said.
“Please can you not tell anyone that your alpha is actually back?” Maya asked. She did not know if Andrew was aware that Kelly was trying to take over the pack.
“Why? Everyone has been waiting for his return, why should I not announce the news?” Andrew asked. He wanted to know to what extent Ashton trusted this good-for-nothing woman. Had he divulged the pack’s secrets to her?
“Can you wait until he at least regains his consciousness? I know his safety is your number one priority so I just hope that you can do this for him.” Maya requested. She even bowed her head to show just how desperate she was.
“Okay, I will try. But I am not the only one who saw him. The pack healers and those who carried him to the room also know of his return. If you can manage to shut them up, then you will have nothing to be afraid of.” Andrew said.
He knew that none of those people will be willing to listen to this young lady, and even if she managed to convince them, it might be a little too late.
Everyone in the pack has been anticipating Ashton’s return, how could they be able to keep it for themselves?
Knowing that there was nothing she could do, Maya could only lower her head and pray that everything goes well for Ashton and that Kelly doesn’t find out soon enough so that Ashton can have ample time to rest.
….
In Gael’s room…
Kelly had let Kevin and a few of his men whom he had brought over to wait in the living room while he went to speak to his grandfather in the bedroom.
It was time for the old man to keep his promise or else he won’t mind sending him to where he belonged.
“Grandpa I have come just as we had agreed,” Kelly said the moment he entered the bedroom.
“Anything from Ashton?” Gael asked. It seemed like he still had an inkling of hope that Ashton might return before it was too late.
“Nothing. I have sent search parties but they all came back empty-handed. Grandpa, the pack is getting restless and if this goes on, then even if brother was to return, there will be no one for him to lead.” Kelly said.
“People have already started to leave the pack, and the remaining few can’t take this going on anymore. The more the days go by, the more disappointed they become. They cannot reconcile with the fact that their alpha actually left them for a woman.” Kelly continued to add fuel to the fire.
He knew that Ashton’s leave did not bother his grandfather much, what bothered him the most was that Ashton had the guts to go against his wish and leave with that witch to an unknown place. Only by bringing that witch up will his grandfather make up his mind faster.
And because of they, his grandfather must be very disappointed in Ashton. So he could as well take ill of his brother as much he could. He had to force him to make a decision as soon as possible because he had a feeling that it won’t be long before Ashton returned.
Gael balled his hands into fists. He did not feel comfortable giving the title of the alpha to this spoilt brat. But he also could not see the pack fall apart. He knew that he was almost dying and if he left without making things right, then he didn’t know what he will say to his predecessors, especially his wife who worked so hard for the survival of the pack.
“Grandpa this pack needs a leader. I’m not bragging that I am better than my brother but at least I won’t abandon the pack for the sake of a woman. I know that an alpha is stronger, especially with a luna by his side, but before the pack stabilizes I won’t go around finding a woman. If need be, then I don’t mind allying with a more powerful pack through marriage even if the woman is not my mate.” Kelly said.
Although he had to show just how loyal he was over and over again, he did not mind as long as he got what he wanted in return.
“Everything is already prepared we are just waiting for your word.”
Gael struggled in his heart for a few minutes but at last, he finally came to a decision.