Claimed by the Vengeful Alpha

Winnie’s room was smaller than Keenan’s bedroom, but the compact size didn’t take away from the beauty of the room. Maya was surprised by the room’s beauty and she couldn’t help but stare around as she walked in.

The bed was against the wall, next to the window, and on the other side was the wardrobe. The dresser was next to the wardrobe, but what drew Maya’s attention was the numerous small ceramics lined up on a shelf.

Three small flowerpots were by the windowsill with green, lush plants growing out of them. The room smelled like citrus and another scent that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

"Your room is so pretty," she gushed as Winnie shut the door.

"Oh, stop. Anything will be pretty compared to the terrible room Alaina put you in. I am so glad you don’t have to sleep there anymore."

"Yeah," Maya mumbled as she walked toward the shelves holding the ceramics.

She didn’t know how long she could stay in Keenan’s room and she was putting Winnie through a lot. She had to bring dresses to her every morning and night.

"Did you make this?" She asked to distract herself.

"Yep," Winnie replied without looking as she walked away and pulled a chair closer to the bed. "You can stay in bed if that’s more comfortable, or you can sit here."

"Thank you, Winnie."

Winnie nodded and sat on the bed while Maya stared at the ceramics. They were small bowls with colorful designs, a set of teapots with tiny cups next to them, and a miniature vase.

"Did you make all these?" Maya asked in awe.

"And more. We can’t sell those or make use of them. I tend to make them with leftover clay."

"They are very pretty," Maya said. Even if they couldn’t be used, they were perfect for decorations.

She reluctantly pulled away from the shelf. This was her first visit to Winnie’s room. She didn’t want to seem rude. She walked toward the bed and took the seat.

"Thank you, Maya," she chuckled. "And you don’t have to be so stiff. You can examine them to your heart’s content."

"I’ll be back," she simply said as she glanced at the shelf. "How long have you been doing this?"

"Hmm," she mumbled. "As long as I can remember. I think I started molding things with the sand at the beach then when the orphanage nearly closed down, I found the workshop."

"Wow," she mumbled. "You sound like you love your job."

"A lot," she grinned. "What about you, Maya? Is there anything you do?"

She shrugged. "Not exactly. I am really good at painting—Father made me take lessons—and I look after the house. Since Mother’s death, I’ve been in charge. I suppose I also like animals too, but I’m not sure if there is anything in particular I love to do."

"That’s okay," Winnie replied. "The things you like also count."

"Yeah, you’re right."

"Besides, I already know you love Alpha Keenan," she said with a smirk.

"Winnie," she cried. "That’s not the same thing. What about you? You have your mate. Alpha Keenan isn’t even my fated mate."

"I did say it was complicated. I have no memory of Alpha Keenan and Beta Asher before they left the orphanage for the mines. They left two years before Theo. I remember Theo clearly. We were pretty close and would still be if Alaina wasn’t his fated mate. I did love Theo, and perhaps I still do but it’s not as creepy as Alaina makes it. I don’t want him."

"Are you sure?" Maya asked.

Winnie groaned. "I don’t know and that’s what makes things complicated. I don’t think it’s fair to Asher that I have lingering feelings for his younger brother. It also doesn’t help that I let the mate bond get the best of me and we slept together. I made things even more complicated."

"Do you want to reject him?" She asked.

"No," she mumbled. "I was hoping he would reject me, but it’s been almost six months and he hasn’t. To make it worse, he is adhering to the fact that I asked for space and is staying at the orphanage instead."

Maya winced as she recalled Alaina’s accusation directed at Winnie as to why Asher wasn’t in the main house with them. She was sure Winnie felt awful about it.

"What do you want then?"

"I don’t know, Maya. But whatever I choose won’t be fair to Asher. If I choose him, what about my feelings for his brother? They haven’t disappeared. And if I reject him, what about his feelings?"

"That’s why you want him to reject you?"

"Exactly," she said with a sigh, as if relieved that Maya understood.

"Sounds to me like you care about him more than you let on."

"Do I?" She laughed.

"I’d say yes. Do you want to try?"

"With Asher?" There was horror in her tone.

"Yes. Does he know you love his brother?"

"Love is a strong word. I remember Theo and my feelings are tied to him. But Asher feels like a stranger. He just popped out of nowhere as my mate. What was the Moon Goddess thinking?" She buried her face in her knees.

"So he doesn’t know?" She asked.

Winnie shook her head. "And I also told him I didn’t want anyone to know we are fated mates. Only Alaina and you know."

A secret!

Alaina had no problem blurting out her sister’s private affairs in her presence, despite knowing how much it affected Winnie. Her cruelty knew no bounds.

"I don’t think you should write it off. If he didn’t want you, he would have rejected you. And by not telling him, you’re not giving him a chance to decide."

"Who wants to know his mate is in love with his younger brother?" Winnie said with a sad laugh.

"You say you don’t want to be unfair to Asher, but I think even now you’re being unfair to him."

"You’re right," Winnie said with a laugh. "I’ve always been a bit of a coward—"

"I don’t think so. Alaina scares me. I couldn’t easily stand up to her as you do."

"I don’t do it for myself," she smiled as she looked at Maya. "It’s much easier to do it for you."