Chapter 46 CONFRONTATION IN THE MAZE (1)
WILLA’S POV
The celebration feast that followed right after the Ascension Rite came in full swing. It didn’t take long for tables of food to arrive in the Glass Dome, while bottles, decanters, and barrels of drinks kept rolling in.
The golden bowl of blessed water was emptied by older children, clinging to the myth that the more a pup under the age ten drank it, the stronger they would grow up to be.
Of course, that was just a tale that hadn’t been proven true at all. That wasn’t to say I didn’t do the same when I was at their age, though.
So really, the sight of it managed to pull a smile on my lips.
Cheerful chatter buzzed from every inch of the dome, but I only stayed long enough to exchange pleasantries and small talks with several members of our large pack.
After a while, I subtly slinked my way closer to the door, meandering through the sea of people and the lively hubbub.
“Thank goodness,” I huffed once I was finally out of the dome after getting intercepted by a few familiar friendly faces, all of them trying to strike up a conversation I didn’t have the time for.
I entered the hedge maze, finding my way easily through the twists and turns I knew like the back of my hand.
Slowly, confidence grew within me as I thought that I had successfully eluded Gallahan, who I knew would surely try to corner me after feeling the parental blood link.
And while it was futile, I had deeply prayed to the moon goddess that Gallahan hadn’t felt the tingling appearance of the twins’ names on his wrist, the same way they did on mine.
Because I wouldn’t know what to do if he would come demanding to be with his children. I would probably lose my goddamn mind if he ended up declaring Calisto as his heir. It would leave my son with no option but to be raised in a faraway castle as Gallahan’s next in line for the throne of the Alpha King.
The Alfieros’ sphere of influence could only do so much to protect the twins and keep them with me. And if our family ended up challenging Gallahan and his father, it would lead to another war. This time, between our clans and our packs.
That wasn’t the kind of future and environment I wanted for my children, and I sure as hell didn’t want them to be raised in a household with Gallahan and I always at each other’s throats.
The answer was clear.
Peace and safety meant a life lived without Gallahan in the picture. So even if he now knew about Calisto and Gillian, I would do everything in my power to keep him away.
“Almost there,” I whispered to myself as I scurried through the maze, going as fast as my legs could carry me while in a ceremonial robe that hung quite heavily on my frame.
I was almost halfway through the hedge maze when I was yanked backwards, making me crash into a sturdy body.
Gallahan’s addicting scent swarmed me, enveloping me like a cosy hug. His warmth that radiated even through his layers of clothing nearly made me burrow myself against his chest.
He just felt safe, despite the facts about him that told me otherwise.
Mentally, I berated myself for being careless. How come I didn’t sense him following me? Or was he waiting for me here all this time?
Regardless, it was a foolish and, quite frankly, a rookie mistake that I let someone sneak up on me like this.
I was once a Warrior and a Peacemaker, dang it. I should’ve been completely mindful of my surroundings! I supposed the years of being a stay-at-home single mother had rotted my instincts and stealth skills.
Still, I wouldn’t just be cowering when cornered like this.
“Let me go!” I seethed, pulling my arm to free it from Gallahan’s strong grip while also metaphorically pulling my defenses up.
“No,” he gritted, trying to hold me still.
But unfortunately for him, I wasn’t going to be still.
Not when my children were waiting for me to come and see them. I also couldn’t afford to waste Sarinas effort after she had successfully spelled them invisible and whisked them away right under Gallahan’s nose.
“I said let me go, Mr. Wick,” I said, tugging my arm back again.
I tried not to wilt and melt under the fiery intensity of his gaze as he sternly replied, “And I said no.”