Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter Three

-Maya's POV-

The entire air was sucked out of the room or maybe it was because I forgot how to breathe. Memories, buried deep, surged back with an unbearable intensity.

I couldn't ignore the betrayal, the pain he'd inflicted when he coldly cast me aside. "I reject you, Amaya Stone," his words echoed relentlessly in my mind, each syllable a stab to my wounded soul. And yet, despite the hurt, a part of me couldn't help but acknowledge the lingering connection, the remnants of the love we once shared.

My mouth opened to say something- say anything. Luckily my father beat me to it when his growl reverberated in my ear, "What is he doing here?"

Ivan looked between Alex and my father while I watched the man who had ripped out my heart without a second thought walk towards Ivan's sister, whisper something in her ear before they made their way to the far end of the dining hall.

My wolf howled, urging me to make a move but I couldn't.

"I didn't realize Miranda would bring him," Ivan glanced at his sister who was chatting away happily as members of their pack congratulated her, his eyes narrowed, "And I did not realize their relationship had gone this far."

"You don't like him?"

There was no need to look at my father. I heard the smile in his voice when he asked the question.

"I have no feelings towards him. Alex Thorne is not a man I would trust but my sister has never been one to listen to me. I cannot tell her who she should or shouldn't be with."

The easy smile returned to his face, "Let's not let one bad egg ruin our evening, shall we proceed?"

The dinner went on and I was slowly dying. Everytime my eyes turned in their direction, my heart broke even more.

He used to smile at me just like that.

How could he not feel my wolf? How could he not feel the pain seeping from me? I hated how much it still hurt after all these years because the only thing I ever wanted to feel towards him was hate.

a surprise that Miranda hadn't brought him to our side of the table for a formal congratulations but I went

haze, I was aware of Ivan trying to make small talk but I could

Amaya," my father growled beside me suddenly, "Stop looking at him like a lost puppy. I don't want Ivan finding out

my father's warning, I kept my gaze trained on my plate, refusing

hardly eating, don't you like

not that.. I.. The food is

sudden sharp command

had risen to his feet glaring at Alex, a silent fury radiating from him. The room

fell from Alex's face as if he suddenly became aware of other people around him

eyes left my father, scanning the room like he

him. I knew without a doubt that he felt it too- mirrored my feelings but just as swiftly

to diffuse the escalating tension, "Mr stone I think-" but my father's voice

here anymore and eat

Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that finally ignited, the reason for the rivalry between both packs still unknown to

regarded my father for a moment longer then focused his attention back to his

to

to him,

tension rose, my father

members of my pack approached Alex, still

he twisted it so fast that a bone snapped. I couldn't help but gasp,

that, you bastard," he swung his

the other's attempt to grab him. Rising to his feet, Alex spoke

throw him out," my father growled, signaling an impending

and had been my once-loving mate. This version

urgency. "Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this escalates and they end up dead. I do not want

room crackled with tension, the air thickening with the impending clash. Then, a thunderous crash interrupted the dialogue as one of the men crashed onto a side table, the shattering of glass and