“What are you going to do?” Maya asked, seeing Jackson’s worried expression.
“I don’t know, but I think it would be better if you send Priya and Priyank away from here. Something feels off, and after seeing Lucas and the dead body in the bag today, I don’t think it’s safe,” Jackson said.
Maya sighed, knowing he was right. She herself was extremely stressed. Even in the car, she had told Priya to get used to it, but the situation seemed very suspicious.
Just today, Priya came to pack, and then the dead body dropped on the territory, when not many people even knew about her existence.
Jackson, Levi, herself, Rish, and Priyank were the only ones who knew about Priya’s existence as the royal heir.
Even though attacks were common occurrences for their pack, this was insanely weird.
“How can I send her back? This is her home,” Maya spoke, snapping back from her thoughts.
Jackson looked at Maya. “I’m not saying you don’t have to bring her back, but for the time being, it’s better to send her away. It won’t go well if we keep her here. She needs to gain her powers first, then you can teach her other things. How will she live here with a human body?”
Massaging her head, Maya closed her eyes, Jackson’s words hitting the mark. First, the curse needs to be broken, and then other things can happen.
If Priya lived here now, they would be constantly scared about her existence. What if anyone just figured it out? No way would she want to take that chance.
“We both know how Priyank is, and Priya doesn’t even want him. At least now their relationship is improving. If I send them both away, how will the curse be broken? Because Priyank is adamant that he won’t sleep with Priya until she agrees, and it doesn’t look like she will agree anytime soon,” Maya reasoned.
Jackson pondered Maya’s words for a moment. The curse breaking was indeed a tricky situation with Priyank’s reluctance. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to think of a solution.
“You’re right, we can’t just separate them completely if we want the curse lifted. But we also can’t risk Priya’s safety here until she has her full powers,” he said slowly. “What if we send them somewhere safe, away from prying eyes, but still allow them to be together?”
Maya’s eyes widened slightly as she considered this. “You mean like a remote safehouse or something?”
Jackson nodded. “Exactly. Somewhere isolated where they can stay for now, with a few trusted guards for protection. That way Priyank can continue trying to win Priya over without the pressures.”
It was an appealing idea. By removing them from the volatile situation here, it eliminated the immediate threats while still giving Priyank the chance to break the curse naturally.
“That… could actually work,” Maya said, feeling a glimmer of hope. “I’ll have to figure out the perfect secure location, but you’re right, it buys us some crucial time.”
“For that, you need to meet your mate, Maya. How long are you going to wait? You came here and have yet to meet him. Don’t you think it’s better if he helps us? He’s a healer and can totally get us the safe house we need. As for guards, I can arrange them,” Jackson mentioned.
Maya’s heart bled thinking about her mate. It had been 18 years since she last saw him, and she didn’t even get a reply to her letter. The thought of meeting him crossed her mind many times, but out of fear of how she would face him, she didn’t dwell on that thought.
Jackson noticed her pained expression. “I know it’s not easy, but he’s your best bet for a secure location right now. And who knows, maybe this could help mend things between you two after all this time.”
Maya took a deep breath, steeling herself. As much as she dreaded that confrontation, Jackson was right – her mate was their best resource in this situation. She would have to put aside her personal guilt for Priya’s safety.
“Okay, you’re right. Set up a meeting,” she said resolutely. “It’s time I faced him again, for Priya’s sake if nothing else.”
“What about Levi and Rish? They deserve to meet their father too,” Jackson said. “I still remember how broken your mate was when you left him. He was going bonkers, and then he went silent for years, doing nothing but work. I really feel for the guy, man. These past years must have been so hard on him.”
Maya felt a pang of guilt hearing Jackson’s words. She knew how devastated her mate had been when she left all those years ago. And the kids, Levi and Rish, had grown up without their father because of her choices.
“You’re absolutely right,” she said quietly. “They have every right to know their father after being deprived of him for so long. It’s long overdue.”
The thought filled her with a mix of trepidation and longing. Reuniting with her mate, the love of her life whom she had abruptly abandoned, would be immensely painful. But it was also a chance to try and rebuild what she had so carelessly broken.
“When we meet him for the safehouse, I’ll bring Levi and Rish too,” Maya decided. “It’s time they finally met their dad. No more keeping them apart.”
Jackson gave her a supportive nod, sensing the gravity of her decision. Whatever happened, this family reunification was going to open up old wounds. But it was a necessary step, one Maya could no longer avoid.
“I know what I did was wrong, Jackson. I regret it and have missed him my whole life. It hurts my heart too, because he was my mate,” Maya said, her voice heavy with remorse. “But you know how the situation was at that time. I felt I had no other choice.”
Jackson looked at her sympathetically but didn’t back down. “Still, that doesn’t mean your decision was right. You could have talked with him rather than just leaving him. I know you didn’t want the pack to lose a healer, and at that time everyone was injured so they needed him. But you forgot to think about how he needed you too.”