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."

pressed, curiosity replacing some

admitted, sinking deeper into the worn leather barstool across from her. "One I don't like to

studied me intently. "So, this wolf... is it like a separate being

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

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

it coming on, a sort of simmering beneath the surface. That night with the bikers, though... everything

you did control

hesitated, her

observation hadn't gone unnoticed. "Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our eyes change when we shift or when our wolf is close to the

of the wolf you let out?"

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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

have ways to train and control their woll natures. It's more of a...

complex one, with its own set of

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

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

people. We

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

She muttered, shaking her head. "This

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

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

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

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

Just promise me you won't turn

dimly lit backroom. "No

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

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

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