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.

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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 of the fear in her

leather barstool across from her.

this wolf... is it like a separate

more like... a primal part of me. Think of it as

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

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

did control

then... she hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper,

gone unnoticed. "Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our

of the wolf you let out?" Her brow furrowed

Thu, 20 Jun

Chapter 23

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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, a secret

control their woll natures.

with its own set of rules and secrets. Which

like that? And what about the whole monster thing? Don't werewolves eat

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

people. We have a...

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

muttered, shaking her head. "This is all so

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

"But you have a good heart. And

searching. Then, a small, hesitant smile touched her lips, "Alright, Mays. I'll try my best

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

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

warmly in the dimly lit backroom. "No promises," I countered playfully, "but I'll try my best

Can I take a ten-minute break? I just need

with brown hair popped her head out from behind the bar. "Sure thing. Take all the time

our way towards a free table in the corner, the familiar

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