The Rejected daughter chosen by the Alpha (Maya and Atila) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

– ÁTILA

“I’ve already told you-I haven’t seen this woman.”

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I held the photo up, blocking the doorway like I was part of the wall itself. The shopkeeper was sweating now, his eyes darting from the picture to my face. His two daughters shrank behind him, barely breathing.

“Look carefully,” I said. “If anyone’s seen her, now’s the time. Her name is Maya. The last place she was seen was the forest.”

He swallowed hard and shook his head.

“No, sir. No one’s seen her. We haven’t even set foot near the forest these past few days.”

The girls nodded in unison, thin, trembling voices overlapping.

“We didn’t see her. I swear. We didn’t see anyone like that.”

Fear clung to them-hands clenched in their dresses, bodies stiff, like the wrong move might trigger something worse.

I exhaled sharply and lowered the photo. There was no lie there. Just pure panic.

I turned away and walked off, Cassian right behind me. After two steps, I stopped in front of the house, shoved my hands into my hair, and pulled hard.

“There’s no way no one knows anything.”

Cassian let out a slow breath behind me.

“Easy, Atila. We still have a few houses left.”

“I don’t know what else to do to find her.” I shook my head. “Do you think her sisters lied about that story?”

“I don’t know.” He rested his hands on his hips, thinking. “Maybe. But it’s been days. We should head home, get some rest. Start again tomorrow.”

I looked at him. Cassian had always been the levelheaded one. The exhaustion finally hit-heavy, crushing, built from sleepless nights and endless miles on foot. I nodded, defeated.

“You’re right. We’ll rest and hit it hard tomorrow.”

He agreed. We clasped forearms briefly, then I headed home alone. The walk felt longer than usual, my thoughts trapped on Maya-on the hollow ache of not finding her anywhere.

As soon as I stepped into the living room, I started unbuttoning my shirt-and froze.

A figure emerged from the kitchen.

Perfect blonde hair. A tight red dress hugging every curve. High heels clicking confidently against the stone floor.

“Victoria?”

She smiled-far too calm.

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6:16 pm PLM M

Chapter 44

“Hi, Atila. Looks like time’s been kind to you.”

The red dress clung to her as she walked toward me, heels announcing every step.

“What are you doing here?” I asked bluntly.

“Wow. Straight to the point?” She laughed softly. “After all these years, I thought I’d get a warmer welcome.”

“It’s not that.” I dragged a hand down my face. “I just didn’t expect to see you. I thought you were still in Alaska.”

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“I live there,” she said, stopping inches from me. “But some memories don’t stay frozen.” She tilted her head. “I’ve been thinking about us. About those nights back in the eighties. You remember, don’t you?”

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