Maya's palms felt sore as she gripped the reins. Her rear was numb. Her dress was uncomfortable to ride in, which meant she had to spend a lot of strength balancing without putting too much pressure on the horse and offsetting it.
They were a long way from the place she once called home. Passing through the bustling town, Maya didn't miss the whispers and stares. More than a handful of people pointed a finger in her direction with recognition on their faces. She was the High Alpha's daughter, and Father didn't keep her hidden, just strictly beside him.
She was surprised he let her go, and a part of her was starting to regret it. She could feel fear creep up her spine and she had to force herself out of the sinkhole lest she risk getting consumed.
A sound to her left drew her attention, and she turned to see the Alpha's beta riding next to her. She didn't know his name yet, but he looked very familiar. She wasn't quite sure. However, when he stood next to his brother, it was hard to shake the fact that they were people she knew.
The brothers themselves had a very uncanny resemblance. It felt like looking at the same face except one was older and had darker hair.
As if on cue, the younger brother passed by her horse, and Maya had to suppress a gasp. He was in wolf form. Maya hadn't seen him change, but it was very easy to recognize his fur.
It was very light brown like his hair with slight streaks of black and brown to give it a well-blended overall look. He was fast, easily keeping up with the horses, and it looked like he could run faster than.
He got next to Keenan's horse as they kept on the trail and barked twice. It was closer to puffs than an actual bark. Keenan loudly swore in response and jerked his head toward his beta.
"We are surrounded."
Asher immediately looked around, but there wasn't a particular sign. However, he knew his brother wasn't wrong. In wolf form, his nose was unbeatable.
They were on a trail with trees on each side, and with the sun shining straight down on the path, it was particularly hard to see things moving through the trees.
"Should we engage, Alpha?" Asher asked.
Keenan glared at Maya. He wasn't looking ahead, yet his horse still rode away without any accident.
She jerked, wondering what she might have done wrong, but she doubted she needed to do anything before he would be mad at her.
"No," he replied. "We know what they want."
"Escape?"
"That's the best option." Then he addressed Maya directly. "I was wondering why Vilhelm would give you up so easily. This was the plan, right? Well then, you didn't have to put on such a sobbing display."
Maya looked at him with a dumbfounded expression before realizing that they weren't surrounded by random attackers, but rather men that Keenan believed were sent by her father. She didn't think Father would send men after them. He had looked like he would stop them.
His comment about putting on a sobbing display confused her, and she opened her mouth to explain that she didn't know about this attack.
"I don't—" she started to say but stopped herself. She could see the look in Keenan's eyes; nothing she could say would make him believe her.
"Theo," he called. "You take her. You're faster."
"Asher, clear a path and secure the front." He then sneered, exposing his front teeth. "I will handle the rear. Whatever you do, don't engage. They won't dare enter our territory."
Asher nodded and rode ahead just as Alpha Keenan pulled on her reins, startling Maya. If she hadn't been holding tight, she would have fallen off the horse. He glanced at her with disappointment as he simultaneously stopped his horse.
"Get off!" he commanded. His voice was cold and cruel.
Maya nodded too fast, feeling a little dizzy. All the riding had made her lightheaded. She got off the horse, grateful that she did so without any mishap. Alpha Keenan was watching her every movement with impatience.
She got down, and Theo walked up to her. He was huge; she had underestimated his size because she was sitting high on her horse. His back easily came up to her chest, and she would need assistance to get on his back.
Theo walked closer, and Maya had to fight the urge to take a step back. He sniffed her, bringing his nose close enough to touch her but not quite. His gray eyes looked at her intensely as he did so.
"Get on," Keenan yelled from his horse. "Stalling won't work."
Maya looked torn. She wasn't sure how to get on his back, and she was especially scared to ask Keenan. He looked too angry to give her any solutions, it didn't help that he believed she was part of this ploy to attack them in the woods.
She looked at Theo with fear and pleading in her eyes. As if understanding, he turned, giving her his side, and bent his knees so she could easily get on.
She bowed to him, whispering her thanks. His brows furrowed and his eyes gave her a thoughtful look. Alpha Keenan didn't notice this exchange as he looked around making sure the enemies weren't closing in.
Maya stretched her hand carefully, not wanting to touch him recklessly. She didn't have a wolf; she never had, so she didn't understand the concept. However, she knew a lot of people didn't like to be touched in their wolf form, and they were very selective about who touched them.
It was hard not to react when her fingers threaded through his fur. It was the softest thing she had ever touched, and Maya would have paid more attention to it, but there was no time.
She got on easily and leaned forward so she could grab him better. As soon as she was settled, Theo slowly got up, and before she could process it, all she could feel was the wind in her face. Maya didn't think she had ever gone this fast in her entire life.