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."

curiosity replacing some of the fear in

leather barstool across from her. "One I don't like to

"So, this wolf... is it like a

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

her voice tinged with a mix of awe and apprehension. "So, when you, uh, shifted a bit the other

a sort of simmering beneath the surface. That night with the bikers, though... everything happened so fast. My wolf sensed danger and reacted

you did

out. "You fought them off and then... she hesitated, her voice

unnoticed. "Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and

control how much of the wolf you let out?" Her brow

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Chapter 23

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cautiously. "There's constant training involved, learning to manage the wolf's urges and channel its strength without succumbing

small smile tugged at my lips. "Not exactly. There are packs, communities of werewolves, and they have ways to train and control their woll natures. It's more of a... mentorship

you think," I admitted, a hint of unease creeping into 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

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

hands in mock surrender. "Hold on a second. Werewolves aren't monsters out

We

violence is a last resort. Mostly,

"This

But trust me, I wouldn't have told you any of this if I didn't think

you have a good heart. And that's something I value

a small, hesitant smile touched her lips, "Alright, Mays. I'll try my best to keep your

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, aren't

won't turn into

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

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

all the time you need. I can handle things here for a bit." She smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Sarah. I really appreciate

the corner, the familiar creak of the floorboards