Chapter 45
Maya was in a constant state of alert; Scarcely two days had elapsed since the perilous rescue, and his eyes had scarcely known rest. He feared a possible attack on the herd.
The rescued women had quickly adapted to their new home. The newfound freedom filled them with happiness, and little by little they began to leave behind the traumas of the past, Galilea kept busy in the mansion, lending her support to Maya.
Maya was in her office when, suddenly, she received an unexpected call from one of the guardians guarding the entrance of the pack.
“Beta Maya, Alpha Sander is at the entrance with a group of wolves. He has requested to inspect the herd and claims that a group of women have stolen from his territory. He’s determined to find them and make them pay for what they’ve stolen. I follow his orders not to let him pass, but he is an authoritarian man.
“Tell him I’m going there, I, as the alpha regent, will take care of him personally,” Maya, furious, decided to take matters into her own hands. He hung up the call and, after sighing several times as he pondered how to handle the situation, reached into his drawer for a firearm and tucked it behind his pants as he whispered.
“If things get out of hand, you’ll be very useful to me.
Then, he left his office and headed for the entrance of the mansion. When he arrived at the door, he found a black pickup truck parked. At that moment, his brother poked his head out and shouted excitedly at him.
“Move, Maya. Sander is causing problems.
Maya walked over to the car, opened the door, and stepped into it. As the vehicle began to move, he issued a firm statement.
“Perseus, let me be the one to speak. Stay out of it. I don’t want your impulses to lead us to start an unnecessary fight.
His brother, though reluctant, nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
“If things get too complicated, you know I’ll act.”
Maya, rolled her eyes, knows how stubborn her little brother usually is.
“Stop talking nonsense. My goal is just to talk. We cannot allow a conflict until Danna decides how to proceed with this situation.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
Perseus nodded again, as he sped through the streets of the pack.
After about five minutes, the car stopped, and Maya calmly got out. He made his way toward Sander, who was surrounded by a group of about fifty wolves.
“Alpha Sander, what a pleasant surprise to have you in my territory,” Maya said with a polite smile, although her gaze denoted determination.
Sander, for his part, did not hide his irritation and responded in a raised voice.
“Alpha Maya, this is disrespectful. I’ve been waiting for your men to give me access to the Vilkas pack for some time. You need to reprimand them and point out to them that alphas are unrestricted.
Maya kept her composure and retorted firmly.
“They’re doing their job according to the orders I’ve given them. No one enters this herd without my consent. Now, can you tell me what brings you here?
Sander, visibly surprised by Maya’s firmness, grumbled before answering.
“I demand more respect from you. No other alpha has dared to challenge me, and they’ve had no trouble letting me in. Also, you’re a simple she-wolf who was lucky enough to be an alpha stand-in, but you’re a long way from commanding a pack.
“I don’t care what the other alphas do, and how she led this pack should only matter to the queen, not another alpha. I inform you that I, Maya Willfon, alpha regent of the Vilkas pack, do not authorize you to enter,” she replied boldly without taking her eyes off Sander, she was outraged as that man belittles her for being a woman.
“You have to let me in,” he insisted in a harsh, rude voice.
“Why?” She questioned without letting her guard down.
“Because two days ago, a group of women robbed my pack and ran away. Previously, one of my employees also robbed me. I know he’s in your pack. I must take Galilee too to make him pay for what he has done.
“Are you sure they’ve stolen from you?”
“Have you seen them?” Bring them to me, I’ll take them,” he declared arrogantly while flashing a sarcastic and defiant smile.
“If you mean the eight women I found in the woods in a sorry state of health, malnourished and beaten, poor women who had been abused and mistreated. If you mean them, then yes, they are here.
The tension rose as Sander grunted and gritted his teeth as he demanded.
“Beta Maya, I am the alpha of these women, and I command you to bring them to me.
“I’m Alpha Maya, and these women won’t get out of here. They have expressed their desire not to leave this herd. In addition, Queen Danna has been notified of the situation and has given them her protection,” he reaffirmed his position without hesitation.
Sander, who was furious, with his defiant look, gestured to his wolves to be ready to enter and threatened.
“I don’t care who you called. I’m going to go in and I’m going to take those women who belong to me. A simple she-wolf isn’t going to stop me. Get out of the way or face the consequences.
“What consequences are you talking about, Alpha Sander?” These women will stay in the Vilkas herd because I have given them shelter,” Danna shouted as she approached them.
Everyone present turned to see Danna, who was accompanied by Eros, ten wild wolves, Duncan, and his warriors. Danna’s arrival at the pack came as a surprise, as she had decided to bring ten of her wild wolves to bolster the security of her father’s pack, in anticipation of a situation like this.
Sander, seeing the presence of Danna and her companions, swallowed hard and turned pale, feeling the situation slip out of his hands.
“Your Majesty,” he stammered, “Alpha Maya is holding wolves who killed two of my warriors. I must take them away to bring justice to my pack.
“You’re telling me that malnourished and beaten women are stronger than your warriors. Danna said, her eyes darkened with outrage and demanded an explanation. Explain to me, why were those women locked up and in such conditions in your pack?
“Your majesty, these women are thieves, liars. Whatever they have told Alpha Maya are lies. They were locked up because they had stolen some belongings from merchants in the pack. In addition, they have even killed. I have proof of what I’m saying,” Sander said in his defense.
“If those women have committed any crime, I, as queen of the wolf empire, am the one who is going to do justice, Alpha Sander, I order you to stand down,” she declared with authority. As he spoke, he clenched his fists to contain his anger. He knew he had to stay calm and follow Eros’ advice: wait and gather evidence before acting.
“Alpha Sander, you heard the queen. He can retreat to his herd. These women are now the responsibility of the Vilkas pack.” Eros growled with a murderous look.
Sander was petrified and furious. He had underestimated Maya’s character and believed that her authority would be enough to make her give in and hand over the women, with the intention of retaliating against them. However, Danna and Eros’ steadfastness made it clear to him that the decision was made as kings of the wolf region and that he would not succeed in his attempt to take the women. Aware that he had no choice, Sander was forced to turn his back and retreat with his men.
Duncan, who had remained silent during the confrontation, struggled to control the overwhelming urge to throw himself on his mate. As he got out of the car, he finally realized the source of the smell of wildflowers that had driven him crazy for the past month.