‘I was suspecting it,’ Maya thought to herself. She knew Elk for so many years, and her heart couldn’t believe that he didn’t do anything after seeing the letter.
It seemed like an impossible thing, but she had her doubts too, thinking that it had been 18 years, and things could have changed without her knowing.
Even today, he came here on just one call, so it showed that maybe things had changed, but one thing hadn’t Elk never left anything unresolved.
As usual, he was the person who would do anything to communicate, so the issue could get closure.
“I’m not lying, Maya. You know me; I never run away from things. If I had received the letter, there’s no way I wouldn’t have come, especially when you’re telling me that it mentioned how you found the royal heir,” Elk’s voice filled with sincerity as he looked towards Maya.
“I trust you,” Maya answered.
She could trust anything when it came to Elk because she knew he didn’t lie, and that’s how it was. She had been away from him for nearly two decades, but that wouldn’t change the fact that she had lived with him for longer than the time she was not with him.
So she had fair enough reason to put some trust in him.
“So, where did that letter go?” Jackson’s eyes narrowed.
“Who knows,” Maya replied. “I sent it to the perfect address. I was expecting an answer, so I don’t know where the letter might have gotten lost.”
“Leave that. But Maya, when you came here, why didn’t you first contact me? I got to know about your presence from Alpha Lucas, and I didn’t believe him, thinking he was lying,” Elk shrugged his shoulders, his expressions remaining pretty calm, but his words showing all the seriousness.
Maya took some deep breaths. “When I entered here, Jackson helped me, then Priya fainted due to the curse spelled on her. We had to immediately take her to the doctor and take help from the witch. Then we called Priyank because we suspected him as her mate.”
She told him everything about how Priya had run away from Priyank before their wedding and how she was pretty sure he was her mate because he got too close with her.
Elk was listening to it with shock written all over his face; he wasn’t expecting to hear this.
“We were so busy; that’s why it got late to contact you. To be true, I was scared too, thinking how I would meet you and justify whatever I did,” Maya completed her words in a low tone.
Elk nodded slowly, taking in all the information. “I understand. It must have been overwhelming dealing with all that after arriving here,” he said sympathetically.
Maya appreciated his empathy. “Yes, it was a whirlwind of events one after the other. But I should have found a way to reach out sooner.”
“What’s done is done,” Elk waved it off. “I’m just relieved you are safe.”
Jackson cleared his throat. “So about this missing letter – are we thinking it was intercepted intentionally? And if so, by who and why?”
The three exchanged pensive looks. So many strange things had occurred, it seemed plausible the letter’s disappearance was no accident.
“We can’t rule out foul play,” Elk stated gravely. “Whoever is behind this clearly doesn’t want the royal heir’s whereabouts known.”
Maya frowned deeply. “But why? What motivations could someone have for keeping the heir hidden all this time?”
“Power. Control. There are any number of nefarious reasons,” Jackson speculate darkly.
” We can talk about it later. If it’s fine with you all, can I talk with Maya alone?” Elk asked.
“Yes, of course,” Jackson stood up. Levi, Rish, Priyank, and Priya also stood up and exchanged glances.
All five of them walked out of the room, leaving Maya and Elk alone.
Maya fidgeted with her fingers as she was alone with Elk. She lowered her eyes.
“Look at me,” Elk growled slowly.
The growl immediately made her look toward him, his eyes glowing, showing how his wolf was in control at least for the moment. It was scary seeing his wolf side after so long without communicating with it.
“Why did you leave me? Just because you wanted to find the Royal heir? If yes, then didn’t you once think about me? I never thought you would be living at the place where we used to go. If I had known sooner, I could have actually come there,” Elk said, his voice laced with a mix of hurt and anger.
Maya felt a pang of guilt. “Elk, I… I’m sorry. I never meant to shut you out completely.”
Elk eyes hardened.
She looked at him imploringly. “You know how important finding the heir is to maintain peace and balance in our pack. I couldn’t risk losing that chance by getting you involved.”
Elk shook his head adamantly. “That’s no excuse, Maya. We’re partners, have been partners for centuries. You should have trusted me enough to let me help, to have my back as I’ve always had yours.”
Maya’s heart clenched at the pain in his eyes. “You’re right. I made a terrible mistake by leaving you in the dark all those years. I can only beg for your forgiveness.”
“You think it’s easy to forgive? I spent 18 years thinking you never once loved me, that’s why you so heartlessly left, that too by taking our both kids, not even leaving me with anybody. You didn’t even think to inform me. I know how important finding the royal heir is, I know you felt guilty, I know everything, but that doesn’t mean what you did is justified,” Elk said, his voice heavy with anguish.
“Please..”
“Those were the darkest years of my life. Waking up one day to find you and our children gone without a word, a single explanation? It utterly devastated me, Maya. I loved you all more than anything.”
Maya’s eyes welled up with tears at the raw pain in Elk’s words.
She knew from the start that she was wrong to think it was the best decision. Perhaps it was the right choice as a sister or pack member, but as a mate, a wife, and a mother, it was all wrong.