Chapter 10

MAYA.

I dump the red overcoat I was contemplating packing in exchange for the black one.

I am going for a stealth mission, not a fashion show.

"It is very noble what you are doing," Eira, my wolf, says.

It was a wonderful feeling, finally having her name revealed to me after I had found my mate, only for me to lose him months later.

Small mercies, I suppose.

"Nobility has nothing to do with this," I reply.

"You are going on what could be a suicidal mission or a complete utter waste of time in order to save the man you were about to be mated to and his mate. That's pretty noble in my book," she retorts.

"You know that is not the only reason why I am doing this," I tell her.

I know how it looks.

Poor Maya. Self-sacrificing Maya.

Doing her very best to ensure that her Alpha is happy and safe.

I want Damien happy.

Just with me.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Natalie, but she doesn't know Damien like I do.

We grew up together, fought, played, dried together.

After my mate, he is the closest person to me.

I lost my mate, I can't lose Damien too.

I don't think I will be able to handle it.

Which is why I am going to find the witch and force her to remove the curse from Damien.

She can have Natalie.

Let the anger fall on me.

I can handle it.

"I don't believe you," my wolf says. "You won't go through with it."

"Then you don't know me as well as you think you do."

At that moment, a knock sounds on my door.

"Come in," I call.

The door pushes open and Lucas walks in, his eyes surveying the room before landing on me.

"What is going on here?" he asks.

"I am packing," I answer.

"Yeah, I can see that. Why?"

"I am going to find the witch."

A few seconds of silence pass before he speaks up again, his voice filled with incredulity.

"You… you are going to find the witch. By yourself. The same witch that we have been searching for, for decades. The same witch, the previous Alpha, dedicated himself to finding. That witch?"

"Yes, that witch. And don't sound so surprised," I say before turning back to my backpack.

"How else am I supposed to sound, you crazy woman?!"

"Pleased," I answer. "Impressed. Encouraging. Not… whatever you sound right now."

"Maya," he calls as he hurries iced to me. "What is this about? Is it because of Natalie? I know the situation sucks, but we should be happy. Damien finally found his mate. We have been wanting this for him for ages. You don't have to lea-"

"I am not leaving because of her!" I snap as I whirl back to him.

His words hit a little too close to home.

"I am doing this for the pack," I continue. For Damien. There is a death curse on him. A death curse, Lucas. And we don't know how long he has. We can't afford to waste any more time. We have to go on the offensive."

“And how, pray tell, are you going to do that?” he demands. “Where are you even going to start?”

“I have my contacts.”

“Contacts?! What bloody contacts could you possibly have, that you haven't used in our search for the witch before?”

Ouch. He got me there.

“Lucas, I get it,” I say as I take his hands in mine. “I know you are worried for me, you don't have to be.”

“Like hell, I don't.”

“This very morning, we were preparing for your mating ritual. And here we are, nighttime and you are preparing to go in search of a witch to stop a curse triggered by the mate of the man you were supposed to be bonded to.

“Maya, nobody would blame you for breaking down. You are allowed to.”

“I am not breaking down, “ I tell him. “I don't have that luxury.”

“Maya-”

“I need to finish packing, Lucas,” I say as I turn back.

There is a few seconds of silence before I hear his proceeding footsteps and the door closing.

Whew.

“You are just hurting yourself like this,” my wolf says.

“Don't start. Not you too.”

She doesn't start.

Thankfully.

I finish packing and in less than ten minutes, I am carrying a large-sized camping bag back over my shoulder and heading for the stairs.

“Where is the Alpha?” I ask as a wolf walks past me.

“I saw him heading towards the pack clinic.”

Of course.

“Thank you,” I say as I hurry past and head to the clinic, only to run into him as I am walking in.

“Alpha,” I call, narrowly avoiding colliding with him.

He looks distracted and out of sorts.

He looks… sad.

“Maya? What is this?”

“What do you mean? I told you I was going to go in search of the witch,” I answer.

“I didn't know you meant now,” he replies.

“There is no time to waste.”

He heaves a sigh before continuing.

“Is there anything you will need?”

“Nothing for now. If I do, I am carrying a satellite phone to reach you all.”

“Or you could just use the mind link.”

“I don't know how far I will go. Seems safer and more prudent to take the Sat phone.”

“Very well. Be safe,” he says as he gives me a hug before moving to leave.

“Damien… is everything alright?” I call, stopping him.

He heaves a sigh and without turning, asks. “Do you think I gave up too easily?”

“Gave up? On what?”

“On searching for her? My mate?”

I don't know how to respond to that.

What could I possibly say that won't push him into her arms?

“Maya?”

“I think- no, I know you tried your very best. It is not your fault that you didn't find her. It was the witch’s fault.”

He gives a weak nod before walking away.

“Stay safe, Maya,” he calls out before disappearing around a corner.

I stare at that spot for a few seconds before heading into the clinic and up to her room.

Opening the door, I start to speak only to stop short at her face.

She is crying.

On the floor.

What happened?

Upon sighting me, she turns her face away and stands up to face the window.

“What do you want now?” she demands, her voice choked up.

I want to ask if she is okay, but I don't. I don't plan on making friends with her, not with what my end goal is.

“I am leaving in search of the witch,” I announce.

“I heard. Very noble of you.”

What is with everyone and nobility, today?

“I have a few questions to set me in my way,” I continue.

“Shoot.”

“What direction did you come from, when you were searching for us?”

“North.”

“That is it?”

“When we escaped her enchantments, All my wolf told me to do was head north. That I would find him if I follow that path.”

Huh, true north.

“Anything else?” I ask

“Like what? I already told you. I do not know anywhere, or landmarks that I can point out.”

“Yes, I know that. What I meant were the places you passed through, how was the vegetation? The surroundings? Were there people, or was it deserted? How many forests? Did you pass hills or mountains? Those sort of things.”.

”Ah. There were a few towns on my way here. Um, a few woods, not forests, they weren't big enough for that. No mountains. Oh! A river! I saw a river. It was really beautiful. I camped there in the trees for a day, I was exhausted you see.”

“What was special about the lake?’ I ask.

“It glittered. Like there were stars in it. Really stunning view.”

The Silver Lake.

“That is good. That is really good. Did you cross over the lake, or were you just passing by?”

“Passing by.”

“Thank you. You have been most helpful,” I tell her.

“I don't really have a choice, do I? The witch has to be found or else, we die. If not for anything else, that should be enough motivation, didn't you think?”

“Hm. If you have anything else to share or something you remembered, feel free to tell Da- Alpha or Lucas, the Beta.”

“Sure.”

I stare at her for a few seconds before turning around to walk out.

Once again, at the entrance of the clinic, I nearly run into someone again.

“Lucas?”

“You could have at least told me you were leaving tonight!” he snaps.

“Apologies. Why are you here?”

“To escort you, of course.”

I nod in response before we begin to head out only to stop at my name being called.

I turn to see Natalie, waving at me from the top of the stairs.

“I remember something,” she shouts. “Her name. Her name is Willow.”