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."

replacing some of the

into the worn leather barstool across from her. "One

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

my head. "Not exactly. It's more like... a primal part of me. Think of it as strong emotions and instincts;

"So, when you, uh, shifted a bit the other night, that was your wolf

confirmed. "But I can usually feel it coming on, a sort of simmering beneath 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 control

hesitated,

about that. Werewolves have heightened

you can control how much of the wolf you let out?" Her brow furrowed in

Thu, 20 Jun

Chapter 23

83%0

its strength without succumbing to its magn. It's a delicate balance" "Training?" Her eyes widened. "Do you have, like, a secret werewolf gym

There are packs, communities of werewolves, and they have ways to train and control their woll

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

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

my hands in mock surrender. "Hold on a

people. We have a...

a last resort. Mostly, we

shaking her head. "This is all so much

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

chuckled. "But you have a good heart. And that's

lips, "Alright, Mays. I'll try my best to

poured one for someone

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

in the dimly lit backroom. "No promises," I countered playfully, "but

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

thing. Take all the time you need. I can handle things here for a bit." She smiled

way towards a free table in the corner, the familiar

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255