Maya's POVHave you ever been stuck in time before?Or sucked into limbo?I have never experienced either of the two but in that moment, staring at Theodora Franchez, Aubrey's best friend, I thought for certain that time had stopped and that I was in that fictional place of oblivion.A strangled laugh escaped me as I leaned closer to Theo.“I’m sorry.” Another distraught laugh. “Could you say that again? It almost sounded like you just admitted to assisting in my mate's sister's murder. I know that’s impossible though, because you were Aubrey's best friend. So please, could you repeat yourself?”Theo didn’t repeat herself. She said nothing at all and only stared back at me with those dim eyes.We stared at each other in silence and soon my unacceptance and disbelief gave way to fierce shock.Of all the things I had expected to learn from this meeting, never in a thousand years had I seen this coming.“What do you mean?” I spoke very slowly more for my benefit than hers. Somewhere deep
Maya's POV“I never saw her face.” She said so quietly that I almost missed it.“Y— you what?!” I stuttered in disbelief.Silent tears— along with a healthy dose of mascara— streamed down her face“I didn’t see! It all happened so fast. The crate was in the back of the top shelf so when she entered and offered to help, I had already hoisted myself up on the lower shelf in my attempt to reach it. I had my back facing her the entire period we spoke.” She explained.I gaped at her.“Then you didn’t think it was odd that she was there behind you doing nothing?!” My voice rose with hysteria and the male working on his laptop nearby gave me a hard glare. I didn’t give a damn. The whole café could hear me for all I cared— considering they were all werewolves in here, they probably had already. It didn't matter, this was a neutral zone for a reason. Anything we said about Drakor held no importance here.Theo shook her head miserably.“I just assumed that she was there to get something too. I
Maya's POVPure terror gripped me as my eyes darted around the small cubicle for some kind of weapon and once again landed on Theo’s lifeless body.Was I going to be next?Helpless tears streamed down my cheeks as I scratched, bit and kicked, thrashing against the vicelike grip on my mouth and arm. I used all my might but it was fruitless.Behind me my captor— a male if I were to guess from his body— tightened his hold on my arm and I groaned in pain. Still in this position, he steered us out of the restroom and into the café.In there, I begged with my eyes for someone, anyone, to interfere but the few gazes that met my pleading one quickly flickered away. A new paralysing fear kicked in and I shook with the realisation that I was truly on my own.No one here was going to help me. This was the neutral zone where people minded their business and stuck to their lane. I could be dead by sunrise and nobody would give a shit.I tried to shift but my captor sensing this twisted my arm fur
Maya's POVTo his credit, Chase did not react rashly but as our bond opened up, I felt the panic and anger rolling off him. I knew a good part of that anger was directed at me. Rightfully so.Still, concern brimmed in his gaze as it met mine.‘Are you okay?’ His voice in my mind was like a caress and it made me feel worse. If only I had listened.I didn’t ask where he had been or why he was in such a ragged state. I didn’t ask how he had found me.I had no energy to.Dropping back to the ground, I said hoarsely– “Theo is dead.”Chase’s eyes widening was the only visible reaction I got to my sombre announcement. Through our bond, however, I felt some of the shock and sorrow that consumed him.Shame filled me.He followed my line of sight to the café I had peacefully been seated in only minutes ago. By the time he finally regarded Ashton, his gaze had become artfully blank.“Ashton.” He acknowledged.The bastard nodded respectfully. “Alpha Chase.”“Is Genevieve aware that you are here?”
Maya's POVToday was filled with a lot of firsts for me.It was my first time questioning an accidental informant.My first time seeing Wolfbane.My first time accusing and punching someone I suspected of murder.And my first time ransacking the pockets of a dead person.The last one topped the list.With nausea rolling in my stomach, I hastily turned out Theo’s pockets. My newly found hope quickly dwindled with each empty pocket I checked.Chase remained frozen by the door, gaping at me as my hands rummaged in search of the card. His trancelike state was broken when Ashton joined him at the door.The impudent Shadow said–“It won’t be there.“At the same time, Chase whispered “Stop.”Instead of doing that, my search became desperate as I searched her pockets again.I could have missed it the first time, I had to be sure.“Maya, stop!” Chase yelled and ripped me away from Theo. “Stop it!”Beside him, Ashton looked away, his throat working.I shook my head and with power I didn’t know
Chase's POVI had come to the same conclusion the minute Ashton pointed to the deactivated cameras so I wasn’t surprised. However, I glanced at Maya to see her reaction to this revelation but she remained impassive.My gut twisted.I wasn't ashamed to admit that I had been terrified from the moment I heard her scream through our bond. The haunting sound still echoed in my mind.Ron and I had been returning from a meeting with a nearby pack and were almost at our border when we sensed a rogue attack.A group of rogues rushed at us and that was when I felt the first spike of fear. At first, I was confused. Dealing with rogues was hardly something to be scared about. Then I realized the emotion wasn't mine but Maya's.The dread which that realization brought was very real and very much mine.We had been outnumbered, the guards stationed there were few so pulling back to find Maya would have given them an opening.I couldn’t risk letting my focus slip by responding. Therefore, the only wa
Chase's POVI was unable to move for the duration of the video, afraid that if I did, I would miss a part of their conversation. Yes, it could be replayed but logic had escaped me so I didn’t think of that.My heart slowed to a stop in some parts. And in other parts, it broke all over again.How ironic was it that I could actually visualise Theo bounding down to the kitchen in search of a bottle of grape juice? It was one of the very few things which she and Aubrey disagreed on. My sister could drink anything else but the thought of grape juice made her gag. I still remember how hilarious Theo found her hatred for the drink.Listening to Theo made Aubrey’s loss feel raw once again.Further into the conversation, I heard how it had all gone wrong. The root of the problem which we had searched so hard for but couldn’t find.‘Later on, I realized that among the things I had told her, was the name of the road which Aubrey was to travel on.’A burst of air left me as I exhaled sharply in d
Chase's POVThunder clouds filled up the night sky and wind whipped viciously as I listened to the male's scratchy voice over the phone.“I'll be there in a few minutes.”Ending the call, I reached out to Ron in my mind and offering him only a summary of what had happened, I asked him to come over and discreetly take care of the body.My Beta, as usual, asked no questions and simply said he was on his way. Some of the weight on my shoulders lessened. I was forever thankful for Ron, I had no idea what I would do without him.I swallowed at the thought of reaching out to Theo's parents. I'd explain what happened to them and help organize a befitting burial for their daughter.I stayed out in the cold for a minute longer to allow my mind to quieten down before returning to the shelter of the cafe.Ashton's inquisitive gaze snapped to me as I walked in but it wasn't him I cared to see. Across from me, Maya's gaze stayed blankly fixed on the wooden table top and I silently urged her to loo