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.

35

"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

story," I admitted, sinking deeper into the worn leather

intently. "So, this wolf... is

like... a primal part of me. Think of it as strong

of awe and apprehension. "So, when

night with the bikers,

did control

hesitated, her voice

about that. Werewolves have heightened senses,

of the wolf you

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Chapter 23

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extent," I replied cautiously. "There's constant training involved, learning to manage the wolf's urges and channel its strength without succumbing to its magn. It's a delicate balance" "Training?" Her eyes

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 thing." "Mentorship?" She repeated, leaning

into my voice. "But the werewolf world is a complex one, with its own set of rules

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

mock surrender. "Hold on a second. Werewolves aren't

people. We have

last resort. Mostly, we just try to live our lives

muttered, shaking her head. "This is all so much to take

any of this if I didn't think I

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

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

first, can I buy you 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

good. Just promise me you won't turn into a giant

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

swinging door, she called out, "Hey, Sarah! Can I take a ten-minute break? I just

young woman 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

table in the corner, the familiar creak of the floorboards a comforting soundtrack to