Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter 23

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."

she pressed, curiosity replacing some

sinking deeper into the worn leather barstool

is it like a separate being

me. Think of it as strong emotions and instincts;

with a mix of awe and apprehension. "So, when you, uh,

That night with the bikers,

you did

hesitated, her voice dropping to

"Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our eyes change when we shift or when our wolf is close to

much of the wolf you let

20 Jun

Chapter 23

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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

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

voice. "But the werewolf world is a complex one, with its own set of rules and secrets. Which is why

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

surrender. "Hold on a

people. We have a...

Mostly, we just try

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

wouldn't have told you any of this if I didn't

a good heart. And that's something I value more

smile touched her lips, "Alright, Mays. I'll try

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,

laugh. "Sounds good. Just promise me you won't turn into a giant wolf and devour the entire

sound echoing warmly in the dimly lit backroom.

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

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

made our way towards a free table in the corner, the familiar creak of the

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