Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter Four

-Maya's POV-

"This is all your fault," his voice boomed, echoing through the room.

I already knew it was coming. Things had not gone as planned for Daniel Stone, he needed someone to blame and I was the available scapegoat.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his accusation. "I-I'm sorry, Father. I didn't mean for things to go the way they did."

Deep down, I wondered what the apology was for. There had been no offense on my part.

"Sorry? Sorry won't fix this mess!" His face contorted with anger. "I brought you back into our fold, and what do I get? Shame and embarrassment!"

"I know, Father. I didn't want-"

"You didn't want? What about what I want?" He slammed his fist on the table, making me flinch. "I wanted a peaceful dinner, a smooth merger, and you ruined it all. You escalated things when you went ahead and married that bastard."

"I didn't mean to "

"Silence!" His sharp command cut through my feeble attempts to explain. "You've always been trouble. A disgrace to our family name!"

I bit my lip, struggling to hold back tears. "I-I'll make it right, Father. I promise."

"Promises! You think promises erase your incompetence?" He leaned in closer, his eyes ablaze with fury. "I should have known better than to rely on you. You're nothing but a burden! You're lucky I didn't cast you out for good!"

swear," I pleaded, feeling smaller

I need you for the merger," he spat, his voice cold and cutting. "Don't think for a moment

do better," I murmured, my resolve crumbling

fingers tapping away at the screen, and dialed a number. As he spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes, I dared

announced with a finality

me, only to

getting married

large hall, every word still making me

of detachment, surrounded by a sea of strangers. My gaze inadvertently fell on Ivan, the

finally here- he looked like a man in love, somehow that only made me even more sick

collect my thoughts, he approached, his demeanor surprisingly gentle. "Maya, are you okay? If there's anything bothering you, you can talk to me." His eyes twinkled with mischief, "I

the

fear of the impending union. "I-I don't want to be claimed just yet, Ivan. I need some time,"

"I understand."

do? I

married wasn't on your to do list but we are here now and I am really

couldn't help the

He completed

"Yeah."

Most of them are just here to witness the union of two great packs and all I want to do is stuff my face with

to grow, "I finally got a laugh. You should do it more often, you

already forming within me, it