"Asking me silly questions a second time won’t change my answer, Alaina."

Alaina pouted, disappointed. Keenan was dismissive of her, yet it didn’t stop or dull her attempts. She opened her mouth to protest, but Keenan was already speaking to Theo.

"Theo, since you’re going to the orphanage, tell Asher to assign them before nightfall." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Theo frowned at Keenan’s choice of words, but the order was not meant for him, so he didn’t pry. He knew his brother would understand what the Alpha meant.

"Yes, Alpha."

"You could have asked me, Alpha," Alaina butted in.

Keenan didn’t spare her a glance; rather, he picked up the napkin to wipe the corners of his lips. Just as he placed the napkin down, ready to leave, the dining room doors burst open and a messenger ran in, breathless.

Keenan’s eyes narrowed, and he looked toward the door. Everyone equally stopped eating as their attention was drawn to the intruder, who was bowing and panting loudly.

"What’s going on here?" Alaina was the first to speak. "You can’t interrupt the Alpha’s breakfast."

"I am sorry, Alpha," the young boy was quick to apologize, speaking between gasps. "I have a message for the Alpha."

"Bring it, Arlo," Keenan said.

The boy suddenly looked self-conscious and almost faltered as he walked forward. He didn’t look a day older than fourteen, and there was a nervous smile on his face.

However, it was the sharp look in his eyes that drew Maya’s attention. It reminded her of Agnes. She didn’t want to stare too much, but it was hard not to see some resemblance. She wondered how they were related.

Arlo stood a few feet away from Keenan and stretched out his hand holding the letter while bowing low enough that his hand was over his head.

"Who gave it to you?" Keenan asked as he accepted it.

"He didn’t say," he whispered. "He just asked me to give it to you."

Keenan’s gaze darkened as he took in the letter. He frowned deeply, and his jaw tightened. "You did well, Arlo. You can go."

Arlo raised his head and beamed at Keenan. "Thank you, Alpha," he said and fled out of the dining room, a skip in his step.

"Who is it from?" Alaina asked.

Keenan didn’t reply as he tore into the letter. The corner of his lips twitched, and he crushed the letter.

"We will have guests in two days, Alaina. Get three rooms ready."

"Guests?" Alaina called out. "Who?"

Keenan shot her a look. It was obvious he was irritated by her incessant questions. "Get the rooms ready."

"Yes, Alpha," Alaina said with a defeated tone to her voice.

Keenan turned to look at Maya, who had been carried away with the conversation and was staring with reckless abandon. She internally screamed and looked down at her plate, even though she was done eating.

Keenan loudly stood up from the table, tumbling his chair over, but he didn’t even spare it a glance as he walked out of the room.

"Theo," Alaina called as she watched him leave. "Who do you think is coming?"

Theo shrugged. "Most likely someone he can’t refuse."

"Another Alpha?" Alaina asked with wide eyes and turned to look at Theo.

"I don’t know, but Alpha doesn’t like outsiders visiting Verlassen, and he can decline to let anyone into his territory. If he isn’t refusing the visit, it must be another Alpha."

"Do you think it’s the High Alpha?" Alaina asked, her face darkening as she shot Maya a glare.

Maya shivered slightly under her gaze. She knew it couldn’t be Father. He wouldn’t give Keenan a notice; he would show up unannounced.

But...

She wasn’t really sure. Other than the certificate being stolen, he hadn’t done anything to take her away from Alpha Keenan.

She didn’t want to think of the reason why, but it was hard not to think that perhaps there was something worrisome in what her sister had said about their mother’s death.

"I don’t know, Alaina."

"Tch," Alaina replied.

Theo’s expression immediately fell. He didn’t want to disappoint Alaina. "I could find out if you like, but..." he paused as he thought about it. "I doubt Alpha Keenan would say anything."

"You’ll find out in a few days," Winnie replied.

Alaina frowned as she looked at her sister, who never spoke up except when it was about Theo. "I was only asking if he knew," she said and leaned into Theo, wrapping her arms around his arm and pressing her chest to it.

Theo reddened immediately, lifting a finger to his face to try to hide his blush. "Right," he forced out.

Winnie stood up immediately. "I am leaving."

Alaina smiled as she stared at her sister, who had quickly turned her back to them. "Stay, Winnie. We have to discuss going to the orphanage."

"You know I am not going," she said and marched to the door.

Maya ground her teeth. She had lost her chance to leave, and with Winnie gone, she was likely to bear the brunt of Alaina’s attention.

She slowly stood up, half expecting Alaina to say something, but she didn’t, even as Maya stepped away from the table and toward the exit.

Maya let out a sigh of relief as she stepped out of the door, feeling her legs shake slightly. She quickly made her way to her room. She was relieved, but she knew she couldn’t relax just yet. Alaina could still come after her.

She got to her room and closed the door, throwing herself onto the stack of clothes. She could use a power nap. She hadn’t gotten any sleep the night before.

Besides, she found that she was curious about who was coming. Maya knew all the Alphas; she had met them on different occasions, but never without Father.

There were four Alphas excluding the Alpha King. Her father, the High Alpha, was of a higher ranking than the rest of the Alphas, with Keenan at the bottom as an Alpha without noble blood.

She could almost guess which of the two was likely to pay a visit to Keenan—the only Alpha that had not refused that Keenan be appointed an Alpha.

Keenan didn’t look very pleased about the visit, but she was almost sure they were on friendly terms. Perhaps, the visit wasn’t for friendly reasons?