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.

hadn't brought him to our side of the table for a formal congratulations but

of Ivan trying to make small talk but

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

my father's warning, I kept my gaze trained on my plate, refusing to let them eyes wander back to the distant corner when

eating, don't you like

that.. I.. The food is lovely.. I

sudden sharp command echoed through the

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

if he suddenly became aware of other

room like he was

features as our eyes met across the room, a collision of emotions growing within me like a storm. My wolf stirred, responding to the magnetic pull, urging me towards him. I knew without a doubt that he felt it too- mirrored my feelings but just as swiftly as the connection sparked to life, his demeanor shifted. His eyes, once soft with a

stone I think-" but my father's voice cut through like

anymore and eat in the same room

my father for holding out that long before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that

moment longer then focused his attention back to his food. Miranda sat still, waiting for how it would play out,

you one more chance to leave, Thorne

if no one had spoken to him, Alex

rose, my father commanded,

recognized as members of my pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his food ignoring the

the men laid a hand on Alex's shoulder, and in an instant, he twisted it so fast that a bone snapped. I couldn't

man let out an angry growl, "You will pay for that, you bastard," he swung his

smoothly evading the strike while gracefully maneuvering away from the other's attempt to grab him. Rising to his

my father growled,

he had been just a man - one who made billions and had been my once-loving mate. This version of him was an

Ivan attempted to reason with my father, his voice strained with urgency. "Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this escalates and they end up dead.

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 splintering of wood magnifying the chaos. Despite the commotion,