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."

some of the fear

deeper into the worn leather barstool

me intently. "So, this wolf... is it

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

"So, when you, uh, shifted a bit the other

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

did control

then... she hesitated,

have heightened senses, and our

of the wolf you let

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Chapter 23

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its strength without succumbing to its magn. It's

werewolves, and they have ways to train and control their woll natures. It's more of a... mentorship thing." "Mentorship?" She repeated, leaning forward in her chair.

than you think," I admitted, a hint of unease creeping into my voice. "But the werewolf world is a complex one, with its own set

I just forget something like that? And what about the whole

mock surrender. "Hold on

people. We

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

shaking her head. "This is all so much to

"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

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

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

and now it sounds 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

promise me you won't turn into a giant wolf and

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

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

"Sure thing. Take all the time you need.

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