The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 38

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**

My heart raced wildly, echoing in my ears like a drum as I hastily got to my feet. Scott lounged on his couch, a smug grin plastered across his face, that infuriating self-satisfaction radiating from him. Did he really think he could just flaunt himself like that? The bulge in his pants was so pronounced it was hard to concentrate. I shot him a sharp glare, hoping to pierce through his arrogance.

But then, the sight of Maya and Craig standing ominously at the door twisted my stomach into knots. Their presence felt like a storm brewing on the horizon, and I knew I had to act fast.

“I think we’re done here,” I declared hastily, forcing a calmness into my voice that I didn’t quite feel. “We’ve wrapped up my project discussion, and I really need to leave now.”

Scott’s smug expression faltered, morphing into a frown that hinted at his displeasure. “You’re leaving already?” he asked, a hint of disbelief coloring his tone.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice firm as I gathered my folder. My gaze flickered to his pants again, and I stammered, “Y-you should change.”

He let out a resigned sigh. “Alright. I’ll catch up with you later, Bella.”

I didn’t linger for another moment. I strode purposefully toward the door, brushing past Maya and Craig without a second glance. Maya’s eyes widened, and she quickly plastered on a saccharine smile, while Craig’s face was a mask of fury, his jaw clenched tight and fists balled at his sides. I chose to ignore their presence, focusing instead on my escape.

As soon as I stepped out of Scott’s office, I released a shaky breath. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. I had no clue why Maya and Craig had shown up, but the thought of what they might say to Scott in my absence sent a wave of dread washing over me. Yet, another thought flickered in the back of my mind: if Craig decided to spill the beans about our past, so what? It was irrelevant now. I was no longer that girl. Still, the unease gnawed at me, refusing to let go.

I hurried to the site of my shop, the bustling activity of workers painting and hauling boxes of materials providing a welcome distraction. The cacophony of drills and chatter enveloped me, grounding me in the present.

Just as I was about to issue some directives, I caught sight of someone lurking in the corridor. My gaze landed on Tasha. She stood there, arms crossed, glaring at me with a fierce intensity. For a fleeting moment, our eyes locked, and the familiar pang of bitter jealousy surged within me. I quickly turned back to my notes, refusing to waste my energy on someone as deceitful as her. She wasn’t engaged to Scott, yet she had put on such a show that day. When I looked back, she had vanished. Good riddance, I thought.

About thirty minutes later, while I was inspecting the new shelving, a sniffle caught my attention. I turned to see Maya standing in the middle of my shop, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Oh, Bella…” she whimpered, clutching a crumpled tissue in her hand. “Can we talk?”

“I don’t have time for this, Maya,” I snapped, irritation bubbling to the surface. What kind of game was she playing? Her sudden shift in demeanor was unsettling.

She stepped closer, her hands clasped in front of her as if in prayer. “I just wanted to apologize. I can’t bear the way I treated you. I was consumed by jealousy and acted foolishly—” Her voice broke, and she erupted into a fit of sobs right there in front of my workers. “I realize this might be shocking for you, but I swear these are my true feelings. I can’t carry this burden of hatred anymore.”

I blinked in surprise. The hum of work around us faded as everyone stopped to witness her emotional outburst.

Maya continued, her voice rising dramatically, “You have every right to despise me! I hate myself for what I did! I replay it in my mind every single night!”

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache brewing. “Maya, this isn’t really the time for this—”

But she only cried louder, her sobs echoing in the quiet shop.

Fine, I thought. Let’s humor her.

“It’s alright,” I said, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. “You should take a breath. I’m glad you’re reflecting on things, but I really have a lot on my plate right now.”

She looked up at me, her eyes shimmering with tears, and managed a small, shaky smile. “You forgive me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I didn’t say that,” I replied, shrugging nonchalantly. “I merely suggested we talk later.”

Her expression flickered, a momentary glimmer of hope before she nodded slowly. “You don’t understand what this means to me!” she exclaimed. “Please, Bella, if there’s even a tiny part of you that has forgiven me, come to Grandma’s eighteenth birthday party next weekend. I’m begging you. It would mean the world to her.”

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