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."

pressed, curiosity replacing some

leather

is it like a separate

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

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

of simmering beneath the surface. That night with the

you did control

off and then... she hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper, "your eyes

unnoticed. "Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our eyes change when we shift or when our

wolf you let out?"

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Chapter 23

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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,

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 forward in her chair. "So, there are other

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 saw the

I just forget something like that? And what about

Theld up my hands in mock surrender. "Hold on a second. Werewolves aren't

We have a...

with humans, but violence is a last resort. Mostly, we just try to live our lives

lives," She muttered, shaking her head. "This is

know," I 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." Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, "Stronger than

exactly," I chuckled. "But you have a good

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

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 can join us if you want to celebrate with

you won't turn into a giant

dimly lit backroom.

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

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

in the corner, the familiar creak of the