Chained By The Alpha Jessica Hall

Book 2 Chapter 23

"It's not charity. It's..." I trail off, not sure how to explain the tangled mess of guilt, responsibility, and something else I can't quite name that's making me want to help her

Maya's frown deepens, her delicate features marred by a mixture of suspicion and stubborn pride. "I don't like owing anyone," she insists, her voice carrying a sharp edge despite its softness

"Maya, it's not "

"No," she cut me off, her dark eyes flashing to her wolf. I suddenly wanted to ask her wolf's name. "You don't understand. I can't... I won't

be indebted to anyone."

"Neither do I," I reply, my voice softer than intended. "Consider us even then."

I can almost see the conflict playing out across her features the instinctive urge to reject my offer warring with a desperate need to accept it

"Even?" she echoes, disbelief coloring her tone

"How can we possibly be even?"

The gravel crunches under my tires as I pull into Maya's driveway. Her mansion looms before us, and I pull to a stop and park behind her car

Maya's hand hesitates on the door handle, her eyes darting between the house and me

"Thank you," she murmurs, her voice barely audible over the idle of the engine

"Wait," I tell her, grabbing her wrist. Maya turns, her expression guarded

She raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue. The silence stretches between us, heavy with unspoken words and the weight of our shared history

"You shouldn't be working there, Trevor is an asshole," I find myself saying, the words are out before I can stop them. My wolf growls in agreement, bristling at the thought of Maya in that seedy club and then working at the library

Maya's eyes flash with a mixture of anger and something else perhaps shame? "And where exactly do you think I shouldn't be working, Vance?"

I swallow hard, knowing I've overstepped but unable to back down. "Anywhere but there," I say, meeting her gaze steadily. "It's not safe, Maya."

"It's bad enough you caused a scene last night, the argument I had with my boss this morning nearly got me fired."

"Good, you won't be going back." I growl

"And youre going to stop me?" she challenges, her voice a low growl that sends a shiver down my spine

My wolf surges forward, protective instincts warring with the knowledge that I have no claim over her. "If I have to," I reply, the seriousness of my tone surprising even me

Her eyes widen slightly and she climbs out of the car. "You don't know anything about my life, Vance. You are not my mate or my friend, just stay out of my business."

I lean out the window, my voice softening

"Then help me understand, Maya. Why are you working at Trevor's? There has to be another job!"

She laughs bitterly, the sound devoid of any humor. "Another job? In this pack? With my history?" She shakes her head, her long blonde hair catching the light. "You have no idea what it's like to be me, Beta. To be constantly judged, hated by an entire pack. I am just grateful I wasn't fired after the trial, that I even have a damn job."

I open my mouth to respond, but she cuts me off with a sharp gesture. "Save it. I don't need your pity or your help. I'm handling things just fine on my own." she reaches into her handbag tossing the cash from earlier on my seat and slamming the door

As she turns to walk away. "Maya, wait!" I call out. She pauses but doesn't turn back

"You wanna pay me back then quit? I will help you find another job? I'll speak to my brother." she laughs

'Tl pass, thanks." she stomps off into the house, I shake my head climbing in my car when I see the money on the seat, snatching it up I move to her and door and knock on it. She doesn't answer

"Open the door, Maya, or I swear I will break it down!" I call out to her