Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter 37

~Alex's POV-

-Seven Years Ago-

The amber liquid swirled in my glass, catching the dim bar light. Adrian, sprawled across the booth from me, mirrored my action, his own drink disappearing with a satisfied grunt.

"So, let me get this straight," he drawled, his voice thick with amusement. "Intense, undeniable connection? You felt all that so that meant you finally found the person you were predestined to be with for the rest of your life? Your mate."

I grunted in reply, the news still settling in my gut like a boulder. A mate. The word itself felt old fashioned, a relic from a bygone era. Yet, here I was, a modern man facing a truth as primal as instinct. "And she's a college freshman? Not just that, she is a Stone." Adrian pressed, a sardonic grin twisting his lips.

"Junior," I corrected, forcing down another gulp of whiskey. The burn did little to soothe the disquiet churning inside me. I knew what he was getting at. I was a thirty year old man. Nine years wasn't so much but trust Adrian to point that out.

He threw his head back and roared with laughter, the sound harsh and grating in the smoky bar. "Brilliant! Just brilliant! Your Moon Goddess really has a twisted sense of humor, doesn't she?"

My jaw clenched, a low growl rumbling in my chest. Adrian, with his infuriating brand of gallows humor, was the only person! could have confided in. But even his amusement felt like sandpaper on a raw wound.

"What's so funny?" I snapped, my voice laced with a dangerous edge.

He sobered up instantly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa there, big guy. No need to get your fur in a twist. It's just... the irony, you know? Amaya Stone, daughter of that self-righteous prick Daniel Stone. Of all the people that could have fathered her, it just had to be him."

in the air, heavy with history. Daniel Stone, the Alpha of the rival Crescent pack, had been a thorn in my side for as long as I could remember. The animosity between our packs ran deep, a legacy of past

words a low rumble in my chest. "She's mine. And I'll take what's

He scoffed. "Don't get all possessive on me. This isn't some fairy tale. She's not

I'd laid eyes on her across the bar, I'd known she was anything but ordinary. I couldn't stop myself. I was drawn to her and there waas nothing I could do stop it no

window? Stalk her? Kidnap her? Force

muscle ticked in my jaw. He was right again. This wouldn't be easy. Claiming a mate from a rival pack was a delicate dance, fraught with potential for bloodshed. But

one thing's for sure. I won't let some ancient pack rivalry stand in the way

flicker of concern replacing his earlier amusement. "Just be careful, Alex," he said finally, his voice

my own unwavering. "I know the risks," I said. "But this... this is

in the air as we finished our drinks, a silent understanding settling between us. The path ahead wouldn't be easy, but the primal pull of the mate bond was stronger than any

then, he sprang to his feet, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Alright, enough brooding," he declared, clapping me on the back. "Let's go see what this woman looks like that's managed to

going anywhere near her, Adrian, When I

wouldn't hurt, would it? Besides, I wouldn't mind

hint of amusement at his usual daredevil tendencies. "This is serious. We don't want to s p o her or cause

"But stalking from a distance is practically a national pastime for werewolves, right? We can just observe from

growled playfully, pushing myself out of the booth.

we headed towards the door. "Don't be such a stick in the mud. Besides, you know you're curious

spark of curiosity flickered within me. The truth was, I hadn't seen her since I left my mark on her in the bar bathroom after the initial shock of discovering our mate bond. The weight of the situation, the potential for conflict between our packs, had kept me at a distance. But

stopped and placed a hand on my shoulder, his earlier amusement replaced by a look of genuine concern. "No matter what, Alex,"