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.

brought him to our side of the table for a formal congratulations

of Ivan trying to make small talk but I could hardly

looking at him like a lost puppy. I don't want Ivan finding out about your ties

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

are hardly eating, don't you like

The food is lovely..

The sudden sharp command echoed through

Alex, a silent fury radiating from him. The room had fallen

as if he suddenly became aware of other

left my father, scanning the room like he was searching

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

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

out. I will not sit here anymore and eat in the

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

to his food. Miranda sat still, waiting for how it would play out, we all

chance to

to him, Alex continued with his

rose, my father commanded, "Take

of my pack approached Alex,

of 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 help but gasp, stunned by

growl, "You will pay for that, you bastard," he swung his claws towards Alex, his companion attempting

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

him out," my father growled, signaling

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

men before this escalates and they end up dead. I do not want bloodshed in my house." "Then you shouldn't have let your sister

one of the men crashed onto a side table, the shattering of glass and splintering of