Chapter 150

Maeve’s POV

Victoria gave me a smug look and then stepped away as she turned to face Alpha Kenneth.

“Alpha Kenneth,” she said in greeting. “Maeve was teetering on your territory and I’m doing my services by taking care of the issue. She is my daughter after all and it’s my responsibility to make sure she stays in line.”

I stared at Victoria with a shocked expression.

Kenneth narrowed his eyes at her.

“As you said, this is my territory, you are under no authority here, Luna Mistress,” Kenneth said through his teeth. “You shouldn’t even be here.”

The smug look on her face slipped away as she stared up at the Alpha.

“Neither should she, Alpha,” Victoria said, narrowing her eyes. “She’s trespassing and I’m taking her to be punished for the crime on your behalf. You should be thanking me—”

“She is my guest,” Kenneth said slowly. “I invited her here myself and I’ve come to collect her.”

Victoria gawked at him, but he paid her no attention as he turned his eyes onto me. He stepped closer to me and gave me a gentle smile. I still felt alert being around Kenneth and being near his territory, but I felt safer with him than I did with Victoria at that moment, so I stepped around her, away from the guards, and towards Kenneth’s outstretched hands. Not even the Moonstone guards would dare go against Alpha Kenneth and his orders.

“Maeve,” Kenneth greeted with a fond smile. “I was so pleased when you called me. It will be wonderful to have you in my pack.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat; I wasn’t sur what I was doing or why I was doing it… but I had nowhere else to go and I couldn’t exactly stay in the capital with how things were. Xaden and I were not okay and that was made perfectly clear to me when I overheard him with Princess Mia. The knot in my belly tightened even more and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

He turned to face Victoria, his eyes turning into slits as he glared daggers at her.

“Any harm comes to her, and you’ll be faced with the consequences,” he said in a growly tone.

Her face went pale, and she looked as if she wanted to say something, but she bit her lip and stepped away. Once her guards stood down, she knew she was no match for Alpha Kenneth and his guards. He was a powerful Alpha, even more powerful than my Alpha. Victoria didn’t stand a chance.

Kenneth offered me his arm, which I took with only a slight hesitation, and he guarded me away from Victoria and her waiting guards. I could hear her huffing from behind me and I knew her cheeks were probably puffed out.

I nibbled on my bottom lip as we walked through the forest grounds and even further into his territory. I could smell the sweet scent of pine; it was stronger than the scents in my pack and even stronger than the scents in the capital. The moment we reached the clearing and stepped out of the forest, I let out a breath of relief. Despite still feeling riddled with anxiety, it felt good to get away for a little bit and gain some distance between Xaden and me.

I wondered if he returned home yet and if he knew that I was gone. The thought was brushed out of me as soon as a black car pulled up in front of us. I was more worried than Kenneth; he was calm and collected and he smiled, pleased, when he saw the car. He walked to the side door and pulled it open, motioning for me to get in.

I did as he gestured, and he got in beside me. He didn’t have to speak a word to the driver for him to know where to go.

We were soon off, and I could feel my heart being pulled further and further away from my fated mate.

“I’m glad you decided to come here, Maeve,” Kenneth said, breaking the silence between us. He had a concerned look in his eyes as he spoke to me.

I bit my lip and nodded, not sure what to say to him. I was feeling a little awkward and I honestly just wanted to get a little sleep. I put my hands on my belly and rubbed soothing circles to settle the fluttering feeling of my baby's kicks.

“How are things with your pregnancy?” Kenneth asked thoughtfully. As innocent as it was, his question took me off guard and I blinked a couple of times as I looked up at him.

“Fine,” I answered. “The doctor said the baby is growing quickly, but he’s healthy.”

“That’s good to hear,” he told me. “We have pristine doctors in the pack. I’ll set up an appointment so you can get another checkup soon.”

“That’s kind of you, but not necessary,” I told him, remembering that the last pristine doctor he set me up with gave a false paternity test and pretty much ruined my life. If it weren’t for that one test, Xaden wouldn’t have strayed to another. “I have a really good doctor that I trust.”

Kenneth nodded but he said nothing more.

“Well, if you change your mind, let me know,” he told me.

I thanked him softly as I stared out the window; I watched any buildings pass us as we drove through the quiet streets. Despite Dawnguard Pride being close to Moonstone and the Capital, I had never actually been to this pack before. I heard it’s one of the biggest packs in the nation and Kenneth rules it with an iron fist.

It was beautiful though; many trees in the distance, the pack itself was right off the water’s edge, and it could be seen from any hilltop, glistening under the moonlight. The houses were tall like manors and even the smaller ones looked gorgeous and newly built.

We rounded the corner until we reached a large white building with spiraling pillars and a big fountain out front. It wasn’t as big as the palace or even Xaden’s mansion, but it was still a good size.

“Home sweet home,” Kenneth said from beside me as he too took in the building in front of us.

As we got out of the car, Kenneth’s phone started to ring. He grabbed it out of his pocket and frowned at the screen. He cleared his throat and turned to his guards.

“Take Maeve to one of the pristine guest rooms,” he ordered. “I’m sure she’s tired and would like to get some rest.”

They nodded and turned to me. I took a deep breath and looked up at Kenneth.

“Thank you,” I said to him.

He nodded and I turned to leave with the guards.

……

Third Person POV

The second Maeve was inside the manor, Kenneth’s smile dropped, and a scowl appeared on his narrow face. He glanced at the phone screen again and saw that it was ringing for the second time when he didn’t answer it the first time.

Swiping the green talk button, he pressed the phone to his cheek.

“I told you not to call this number,” he said through his teeth.

“You’ve left me no choice!” Victoria said angrily. “You promised me that I would get my revenge on her. I wanted her to suffer, and you treated her kindly. I’ve patience Alpha…when do I get to have my revenge.”

“That was never the plan, Victoria,” he said cooly, keeping himself calm as he spoke to her. “The plan was to get her out of the royal family. Nothing more.”

“I want her to suffer like she made all of us suffer!” Victoria hissed. “I was very clear about that from the beginning. Getting her out of the royal family isn’t enough for me. It might be enough for Isabelle, but it’s not enough for me. I want blood. My daughter is in the dungeon because of her and now I want her to get a taste of what that feels like.”

Kenneth rubbed his aching temples; his anger started to grow with each word Victoria spoke.

“Let me get one thing clear, Victoria,” he started to say, speaking slowly so she could hang onto each of her words. “If any harm comes to Maeve, I will make sure your daughter never leaves that dungeon alive, and you will be next. Do I make myself clear?”

Victoria was stunned and silent; she thought Kenneth would have helped her with her revenge plan and wanted Maeve to suffer as well. She was shocked when he arrived and treated Maeve with gentle kindness; she wasn’t expecting it.

“But… I thought—”

“I asked you a question, Victoria,” Kenneth said, grinding his teeth. “Do I make myself clear?”

She swallowed the lump in her throat; she knew her next words could make or break her… not to mention her daughter's life depended on it.

“Yes,” she said in a choked whisper.

“Perfect,” he replied. “Because I have a plan that I think will appease you. I will call you when I need you. If you are a good ally and help me… then I’ll make sure your daughter is released from that dungeon.”

She let out a breath of air; she only had to be a little more patient and then things would work out.

“Okay,” she finally relented. “Whatever you say.”

“Excellent,” he murmured. “Now, don’t call this number again.”

He hung up without another word. As he walked inside, one of his maids greeted him with a bow.

“Make sure Maeve is comfortable,” Kenneth ordered without sparing her another glance. He walked away, his expression darkened, and he added, “She’s going ot be staying here for quite a long time.”