Chapter Seventy Eight - Suspicion - Maya's POV

I watch him closely, the weight of his words still heavy on my heart. He's so determined, but I can see the tension in the tightness of his jaws. I try to breathe through the feeling of unease swirling my chest. It's hard to do, though, when things are so uncertain. I glance at his bedroom door, then back at him. 'Are you sure about this?" My voice is steady, but my heart is pounding in my chest. I don't know everything about his past, but from what he has shared, it doesn't sound great. Whoever is in the estate might be plotting to kill him. 'They took something from my office as well," he admits in a whisper. 'What?" I ask, the feeling of unease becoming unbearable. 'An old heirloom. My mother's ring. So, I'm very sure about this because if someone from my father's pack is impersonating as an outcast, it's only going to get worse." I nod, swallowing my fear. He's right. They're already inside and allowing things to happen, so it will go further than what has already happened. But the thought of who it might be churns my stomach. 'Then I'm staying with you. I want you to train me every day and I'll stay with you at all times." He glances at me, and for a split second, something soft flickers in his expression. But then it hardens again as his gaze shifts toward the door. I follow him, every step feeling heavier than the last. This isn't just about the prophecy anymore. It's also very personal. As we move through the hallway, my mind races with possibilities. I think of all the members I've met, though I can't recall everyone's names. For some reason, Simon comes to the forefront of my mind. 'Stay close," he murmurs, and I nod, though I don't know if he's telling me or himself. I keep pace beside him, my nerves grating with every passing second. We're about to step into this fully, and the darkness that has been following him is now watching me as it lurks at the edges of everything. It feels so much closer now. I don't know where he is leading me, but I know one thing for sure. I'm going to stand beside him. It's time I accept this new reality and do what must be done. We reach a large oak door, and it only takes me a second to realize this is his office. I've only been in it once when I first arrived. It feels so different being here now. The door is slightly ajar, and the dim light spills out into the hallway. My pulse speeds up, and for a moment, I'm unsure if it's adrenaline or anxiety coursing through me. But I can't stop now. I glance at him, checking to see what he is thinking, but he only stares through the crack in the door. The way he is hesitating makes me pause. 'What is it?" 'My door was shut when I left it," he breathes out. 'Someone has been here." He pushes the door open with a creak, the sound echoing through the otherwise quiet house. The room inside is mostly dark and bathed in shadows. I'm not sure if it's the atmosphere or the way my instincts are telling me something is off, but I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. He moves ahead, his body tense. I follow closely behind him, my eyes scanning the room. I can't shake the feeling we are being watched. The desk in the center of the room is untouched, but the chair behind it is slightly turned, as if someone had recently sat there. My stomach drops. He's right. Someone was probably here. Before I can ask him anything, the door to the adjoining rooms creaks open. A figure steps out from the shadows and my breath catches in my throat. It's Simon. He's holding something in his hand that looks like a stack of papers, but I'm not sure why. 'Why are you in my office?" Damian asks. What is he doing here? Why is holding those papers? My eyes don't leave his hands, even when he is looking at both of us. I swear I see something flash in his gaze when I finally look up. He almost looks guilty. Simon finally holds up the documents. 'I was just going over some documents about the rogues since they got through our defenses and were in her room." I glance at Damian, and I can see suspicion clouding his features. His jaw tightens, the muscles in his neck visibly straining. He doesn't buy it and I'm not sure I do either. Damian takes a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving Simon. 'You never come into my office to read documents. That is my job." Simon's eyes flicker for the briefest moment. My stomach twists. There's something off about him, something that I can't quite put my finger on. I feel a chill in the air settling over me. The silence stretches on and I can tell both of them are waiting for the other to make a move. Finally, Simon takes a slow step back, as if he is sizing Damian up. His grip on the papers tighten just a fraction as his eyes narrow slightly. 'You don't trust me? I'm your beta and come to your office all the time. I'm trying to keep her safe, just like you are." 'It's hard to trust you when I find you in my office, sorting through papers meant for me. Who is the alpha, Simon?" He chuckles low in his throat. 'When were you going to tell the pack that your brother and father were still after you? I thought this was settled." The way Simon says it sends a shiver down my spine. Something's about to unfold and probably make things worse. 'The pack knows about the issues with my father and brother. Most were there when Lorcan tried to kill me. So what are you getting at?" He smirks and tosses the papers, letting them fall to the floor. 'You're about to find out very soon." Simon walks out of the office through the door we just came through. Damian watches him and sighs. 'Is he working with them?" Damian is quiet for several moments before he lets out a deep breath. 'I don't know, but he doesn't look innocent."