Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 589

Chapter 589 131.3 - Alden Evergreen

Alden's anger was palpable, though he kept it tightly controlled beneath his calm exterior. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Maya with an intensity that left no room for misunderstanding. He was not just upset—he was furious.

"You were in danger," Alden repeated, his voice now cold and authoritative, every word weighted with the gravity of the situation. "And I wasn't informed?"

Maya could feel the pressure building, the unspoken accusations hanging in the air. Alden had always been protective, and the idea that his sister's life had been in jeopardy without his knowledge was a betrayal of the trust he placed in her. Maya had anticipated this reaction, but facing it now, under the weight of her brother's gaze, was more difficult than she had expected.

"I didn't want to worry you," Maya said carefully, maintaining her calm despite the storm brewing in her brother's eyes. "It was a... complicated situation, and I needed time to process what happened before bringing it to the family's attention."

Alden leaned forward, his fingers steepling as he rested his elbows on the table. His gaze remained unyielding. "Worry me? Maya, I am not some distant figure in your life to be kept in the dark. You are my sister. Your safety is my responsibility. How could you keep something like this from me?"

Maya held her ground, knowing she had to be measured in her response. "Brother. There was no need to inform you of the matter, as when the opportunity to inform you arose, the matter had hare lady been dealt with."

Alden's gaze remained locked onto Maya, the weight of his concern and frustration clear in the intensity of his stare. His fingers drummed softly against the table, the only outward sign of his simmering anger. But even as the tension thickened between them, Maya could see that Alden was listening—truly listening.

He wasn't a fool. He understood the complexities of life and the dangers that came with their family's position. As much as he hated being left in the dark, he wasn't blind to the fact that he couldn't always protect his sister. But that didn't mean he would accept being shut out when she was in danger.

"I didn't need to inform you," Maya continued, her voice steady and resolute. "The situation was handled, and when the opportunity came to tell you, it was already over. There was no need to bring you into a matter that was resolved."

Alden's eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, it seemed like he might push back further. But then something shifted in his expression—a flicker of realization. He knew Maya wasn't reckless, and he knew she wouldn't have made the decision to keep this from him lightly. It was clear that this was her own choice, a deliberate one.

Even so, the anger still lingered beneath the surface. He let out a slow breath, his voice measured but carrying the weight of his unresolved frustration. "I understand you're capable, Maya, but that doesn't change the fact that I deserved to know. You faced a life-threatening situation, and you made the decision to keep it from me."

Maya met his gaze, unwavering. "Yes, I did. And it was my decision to make. I am not a child anymore, Alden."

The silence that followed was heavy, but it wasn't hostile. Alden leaned back in his chair, his sharp mind working through the implications of what Maya had said. He was still upset—there was no denying that—but he also recognized the truth in her words. As much as he wanted to protect her, he couldn't always be there. And perhaps... Maya had grown more than he realized.

But that didn't mean he would let it go easily.

"I still want to know what happened," Alden said, his tone firm.

Maya took a breath, knowing that now was the time to reveal part of the truth. She had already steeled herself for this conversation, and it was time to make Alden understand.

"Do you remember when I requested a visit to Western Uxbridge?" Maya asked, her voice calm and deliberate.

Alden frowned slightly, his mind turning over the memory. He didn't respond immediately, but after a moment, the realization dawned on him. He nodded slowly. "Yes, I remember. It was during your semester in the academy a few months ago. You wanted to attend a cultural exchange... or so you said."

Maya nodded. "Yes. While we were there, I was attacked. A vampire. It ambushed me when I was separated from the group."

Alden's expression darkened immediately, the tension returning to his posture. "A vampire? In Western Uxbridge?"

"None of us were aware of that. It all happened too quickly. I was attacked by the vampire, and because of my carelessness, I let myself be captured. It was my own fault."

"And following that, he saved you from the vampire?" Alden's voice was laced with a mixture of disbelief and lingering anger.

Before Maya could respond, Alden's gaze shifted sharply to Astron. Without warning, he reached out, his hand gripping Astron's shoulder with a force that belied his controlled demeanor. The room seemed to grow smaller, the air thick with unspoken tension as Alden scrutinized Astron intently.

Astron remained composed, his posture relaxed despite the sudden shift in the room's dynamics. However, Alden wasn't satisfied. He had always been perceptive, and something about Astron's presence now felt different—more calculated, more enigmatic.