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."

she pressed, curiosity replacing some of the fear in

admitted, sinking deeper into the worn leather barstool across from her. "One

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

me. Think of it as strong emotions and instincts; raw and untamed. It's the fight or

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

confirmed. "But I can usually feel it coming on, a sort of simmering beneath the surface. That night with the bikers, though... everything happened

did control

hesitated, her voice dropping to a

crept up my cheeks. Her keen observation hadn't gone unnoticed. "Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our

control how much of the wolf you let

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Chapter 23

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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 gym

control their woll natures. It's more

think," I admitted, a hint of unease creeping into my voice. "But the werewolf world is a complex one, with its own

like that? And what about the whole monster thing? Don't werewolves eat people?" She looked genuinely terrified at the

my hands in mock surrender. "Hold on a

people. We have a...

violence is a last resort. Mostly, we just try to

muttered, shaking her head. "This is all

offered her a sympathetic smile. "It's a 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."

good heart. And

her lips, "Alright, Mays. I'll try my best to keep your secret. But you have to promise to answer all

a drink? I know you work at a bar and now it sounds really dumb after you just poured one for someone else, but I just got a job and my best friend is coming and you can join us if you want to celebrate with me, I'm kind of rambling,

widened, morphing into a small laugh. "Sounds good. Just promise me you won't turn into a giant wolf and devour the entire bottle in one

out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing warmly in the dimly lit

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

with brown hair popped her head out from behind the bar. "Sure thing. Take all the time you need. I can handle things here for a bit." She

towards a free table in the corner,