As I walked out of the Queen’s palace which was now filled with suffocating air, my heart pounded like a drum.
I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Adam might have found out who I really was. I couldn’t shake off the fact that he might put two together—the mark and my accurate information on Maya—and conclude that I was she whom he sought. Maya. The thought of this possibility sent shivers down my spine, and my mind raced with fear and uncertainty.
For months, I’ve hidden my identity well, keeping the truth open to my adopted family alone, keeping it tucked away from prying eyes and whispers in the community and the pack. But now, a careless slip, a mont of indiscretion on my own end, and everything had co crashing down—it felt like the walls were closing in on . Could this be the reason why my significant other hadn’t wanted to speak on their parents?
’Was it the reason?’
There was no response; just the thrumming of energy did I feel. She was choosing to keep quiet? Quite understandable since I neglected her advice.
What about Noah and Daniel? Did they see the mark? Did they see the tooth hole? Questions swirled in my head, each one more terrifying than the last.
These torntors—who had taken pleasure in inflicting pain on —were like shadows in my mind now, lurking around every corner, waiting to pounce. I could almost hear their mocking laughter, could taste the bitterness of their taunts when they had bullied , when I had been in the pack as Maya. Will they co after now, ard with the knowledge that could unravel everything I’ve built?
I was scared, plain and simple. Never mind that I was now powerful. It was like the triplets knowing of my secret was enough sabotage. I was scared of the rumors that might spread like wildfire should they talk. Scared of the stares and the whispers that would follow everywhere. Scared of what they might do, how far they might go to break down. Scared of what my mother would think of .
I shook my head, and twisted my fingers on each other nervously, whilst hurrying down the road that would lead ho. I needed to speak to my new family about this scenario.
In this mont of vulnerability, I felt exposed, like a lone bird caught in a storm, wings beating frantically against the wind. I wanted to run, to hide, to disappear from the radar of Adam. But there’s nowhere to go, no safe haven from his reach, if he should co for .
I clenched my fists, willing myself to be strong, to steel against the impending storm. I was not the sa person at least. Yet fear gnawed at my resolve, fear from habits, threatening to unravel from within.
How did it co to this? How did I let them get so close, so dangerously close to the truth?
Pride. I answered myself.
As I was consud by dread and uncertainty, one thing I was clear—I was no longer in control. The secret that I had guarded so fiercely was slipping through my fingers, and with it, my sense of security. Was there a way to redy the likely consequences?
Heart still racing, I increased my walking pace, and my footsteps echoed in the quiet streets. However, they slowed just as fast, when the feeling of being watched intensified with every passing mont, sending prickles of fear down my spine.
This again?
But this ti I was alone. I was alone, and already scattered ntally. I couldn’t center myself to work any magic. No, not at this mont. I didn’t want another disaster.
"Who’s there?" I called out after a few minutes, my voice trembling. There was no response, just the eerie silence. I glanced around frantically, searching for any sign of movent, but the streets remained empty, bathed in the warm glow of the sun.
As I quickened my pace, thoughts raced through my mind like wildfire. Could it be them? The triplets, lurking in the bushes, waiting for the perfect mont to strike? Or was it sothing else entirely? Or was it the beast?
I shook my head. The Queen’s beast only prowled at night.
Questions spiraled in my mind, each one more unsettling than the last. Who would be watching now, in the glaring light of day? Why did I feel like prey being stalked by an unseen predator?
Fear clenched at my chest as I broke out into a run. This was not a ti to maintain maximum composure. The Queen would laugh at now, if she saw this way, I was the opposite of what I had been this morning. But that’s what trauma could cause.
Finally, I made it back ho safely. No sign of anyone following occurred again. I walked into the living room where Peter, Diana and Laura sat, already waiting for my return. They looked relieved to see , but I could tell they were also worried. Diana’s eyes were wide with concern, and Peter had that stern look he gets when he’s trying not to show how scared he is.
"Maya, what happened? Why did you take so much ti coming back? Where have you been?" Laura asked, her voice a mix of relief and reproach.
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I... I had to get past the Queen and her family. They are quite sick with their entitlents."
A lie, but seeing the worrying on their faces, I wasn’t sure anymore if burdening them with the triplets’ case was a good idea.
Peter’s brows furrowed. "Maya, we’ve always told you to be careful."
"I know," I said quickly. "But I had no choice. She asked for a bigger ball of fire, and I gave it to her. She thinks I’m no threat to her throne though. She believes I’m from a royal lineage."
Diana’s hand reached out and squeezed mine gently. "But, are you okay?"
Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded. "I’m okay. But... there’s sothing else. The triplets... I think they found out..."
So much for keeping it myself.
Peter interrupted gently, "Found out what, Maya?"
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my secret. "I think they might’ve found out about... ."
Laura gasped, covering her mouth in shock. Diana’s grip tightened on my hand.
"What do you an, Maya?" Peter asked softly.
I closed my eyes, trying to find the words. "They... we were talking in the hallway, and suddenly Adam asked about Maya again. I wasn’t creative with my lies. I think he suspects I’m the one. I had let out so information that only Maya knows."
Silence filled the room as my guardians and Diana processed my words. I could see the worry etched on their faces, but also sothing else – anger maybe, mixed with fear.
Peter finally spoke, his voice steady. "Maya, it’s good you told us. Don’t let this worry you, I will take care of it."
"How? I don’t want to burden you," I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks. "I don’t know what to do if they co after ."
Laura stood up and enveloped in a hug. "Oh, Maya. You’re never a burden. We’re here for you, always. And you have crazy powers too. I’m sure they will think twice before touching you again. You just have to work on your ntal state. That’s the most important."
Diana joined in the embrace, and for a mont, I felt safe. Supported. Loved.
"We’ll figure this out together," Peter said firmly, his arms around all of us. "You’re our family, Maya. We’ll protect you."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over . They believed in , even when I doubted myself. And as we stood there, holding each other close, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, and the gods helping us, we will win.
***
I sat alone in my room, after eating and freshening up, surrounded by books Laura had lent about magic. My mind was racing with thoughts of what I had to do next. I needed to understand my powers better, to learn how to control them, and most importantly, to figure out how to hide the mark that had exposed to the triplets.
As I flipped through one of the dusty tos, my phone buzzed suddenly, startling . It was a ssage from Adam. My heart sank as I read his words: Who are you really, Dora? What are you hiding?
Fear gripped like icy fingers. I quickly deleted the ssage and blocked his number, trying to calm my racing heart.
Just then, my phone rang again. This ti, it was Levina. I answered with shaky hands.
"Dora, are you okay?" Levina’s voice was filled with concern.
"Yes, was about to sleep. Is there a problem?" I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.
There was a pause on the other end before Levina responded. "Nothing really. It’s just about the live feed. I called to be sure that you are okay. We can never be too careful around the Queen."
Her words were a balm to my frayed nerves. "Thank you, Levina. Thanks for checking up on ."
"We’re friends, Dora. See you tomorrow. Goodbye." Levina said firmly, and ended the call.
A minute later, my phone rang again. It was Naomi. Could the live feed had reached there?
"Dora...how are you doing? I saw the live feed."
Oh well. "I’m okay. Thanks for checking in. How are you doing?"
"I’m fine, thank you. Do you think you will free by the next weekend? I’ll be visiting the community, with the boys..."
She didn’t need to specify the boys. I already knew. Could this get any worse?
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