Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter 23

-Maya's POV-

The familiar scent of stale beef and leather greeted me as I pushed open the door of The Rusty Compass. My eyes scanned the bar, immediately landing on Riley. She was hunched over, concentrating on pouring a drink, her hair cascading down her back like a fiery waterfall.

As she straightened, our eyes met. A jolt passed through her, and she flinched, taking a step back. "Hi," I greeted, my voice softer than usual.

Her response was a shaky, "Hey." Even from a distance, I could see the dark circles under her eyes, a stark contrast to the vibrancy I remembered.

Concern tugged at me. "Ar

1. me. "Are you okay? Can you

take a break so we can talk in the back?"

She hesitated, her gaze flickering around the room, before nodding slowly. She excused herself to a nearby coworker, who readily agreed to cover her duties.

As soon as the swinging door closed behind us, shutting out the bar's low murmur, I blurted out, "You look exhausted. Haven't been sleeping?"

She sighed, rubbing the circles beneath her eyes. "Yeah, not really. These past two days... I don't even know who to trust anymore. I mean, anyone could be like you, right? And all it takes is one bad mood for them to rip me to shreds.

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"Riley, interjected gently, placing a hand on her arm to stop her from spiraling. "Werewolves aren't bad people. And I'm so sorry I'm putting you through this but no one is going to hurt you."

Her eyes, wide and searching, locked onto mine. "How do you even ex st?" she whisper yelled, "Were you bitten by one? Do you, like, transform every full

moont

I chuckled, the sound offering a welcome break from the tension, "No, not at all, I was born this way. Being a werewolf is part of me, it's in my blood. And actually, werewolves can shift wheneverthey want, not just at full moons."

A shadow crossed my face. "Although, I haven't let my wolf out much lately."

not?" she pressed, curiosity replacing some of the fear in her

sinking deeper into the worn leather barstool across

me intently. "So, this wolf... is

it as strong emotions and

awe and apprehension. "So, when you, uh, shifted a bit the other night, that was your

usually feel it coming on, a sort of simmering beneath the surface. That night with

did control

hesitated, her voice dropping to

about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our eyes change

of the wolf you let out?" Her

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Chapter 23

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to manage the wolf's urges and channel its strength without succumbing to its magn. It's a delicate balance" "Training?" Her eyes widened. "Do you have, like, a secret werewolf

"Not exactly. There are packs, communities of werewolves, and they have ways to train and control their woll natures. It's more of

my voice. "But the werewolf world is a complex one, with its own set of rules and secrets. Which is why it's important that you keep what you saw the other

what about the whole monster thing? Don't werewolves

my hands in mock surrender.

people. We have

last resort. Mostly, we

head. "This is all so much to

lot to process. But trust me, I wouldn't have told you any of this if I didn't think I could trust you. You soom... different. Stronger than you let on." Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, "Stronger than a

I chuckled. "But you have a good heart. And that's something I

for a long moment, her gaze searching. Then, a small, hesitant smile touched her lips, "Alright, Mays. I'll try my best to keep your

for someone else, but I just got a job and my best friend is coming and you

good. Just promise me you won't turn into a giant wolf and devour the entire bottle

laugh, the sound echoing warmly in the dimly lit backroom. "No promises," I countered playfully, "but I'll try my best

she called out, "Hey, Sarah! Can I take a ten-minute break? I just need to chat with a friend

out from behind the bar. "Sure thing. Take all the time you

in the corner, the familiar creak of the floorboards a