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.

him to our side of the table for a formal congratulations but I went on with my food eating

I was aware of Ivan trying

at him like a lost puppy. I don't want Ivan

my gaze trained on my plate, refusing to let them eyes wander back

hardly eating, don't you like

that.. I.. The food is

sharp command echoed through the

had risen to his feet glaring at Alex, a silent fury

smile fell from Alex's face as if he suddenly

scanning the room like he was searching for something

knew without a doubt that he felt it too- mirrored my

tension, "Mr stone I think-" but

not sit here anymore and eat in the same room as that

hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that finally ignited, the reason for the rivalry

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

more chance to leave, Thorne or

spoken to

tension rose, my

Alex, still he continued eating his food ignoring the escalating

of the men laid a hand on Alex's shoulder, and in an instant, he twisted it so fast

"You will pay for that, you bastard," he swung

other's attempt to grab

my father

seen Alex in combat. Until that moment, he had been just a man - one who made billions and had been my once-loving mate. This version of him was an entirely different entity. His movements held a captivating elegance, a grace that effortlessly evaded their strikes, making it seem like

please call off your men before this escalates and they end up dead. I do not want bloodshed in my house."

crash interrupted the dialogue as one of the men crashed onto a side table, the shattering of