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."

replacing some of the fear in her

I admitted, sinking deeper into the worn leather barstool across from

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

it as strong emotions and instincts; raw and untamed. It's the fight

awe and apprehension. "So, when you, uh, shifted a bit the

the surface. That night with the bikers, though... everything happened so fast. My wolf sensed danger and reacted before I could fully control

you did

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

my cheeks. Her keen observation hadn't gone unnoticed. "Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened

much of the wolf

Thu, 20

Chapter 23

83%0

the 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,

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

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

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

whoa," Theld up my hands in mock surrender.

people. We have

a last resort. Mostly, we just try

lives," She muttered, shaking her head. "This is all so much

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 a

a good heart.

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

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

Just promise me you won't

dimly lit backroom. "No

out, "Hey, Sarah! Can I take a

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

a free table in the corner, the familiar creak of the floorboards a comforting