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."

a thorn in my side for as long as I could remember. The animosity between our packs ran deep, a legacy

Stone," I growled, the words a low rumble

fairy tale. She's not a damsel in distress waiting to be swept

anything but ordinary. I couldn't stop myself. I was

then, Casanova?" he continued, his voice laced with a challenge. "Shower her with expensive gifts? Serenade her under her window? Stalk her? Kidnap her? Force her to be with you? Because I

was a delicate dance, fraught

"But one thing's for sure. I won't let some ancient

studied me for a long moment, a flicker of concern replacing his earlier amusement. "Just be careful, Alex," he said finally, his voice low and serious.

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

drinks, a silent understanding settling between us. The path ahead wouldn't be easy, but

he declared, clapping me on the back. "Let's go see what this woman looks like that's managed to rattle the

head, but a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "We're not going anywhere near her, Adrian,

on, Alex," he chuckled. "Loosen up a bit. A little harmless curiosity wouldn't hurt, would it? Besides, I wouldn't mind seeing the woman who's got you all

is serious. We don't want to s p o her or

a distance is practically a national pastime for werewolves, right? We can just observe from afar, gather some intel.

pushing myself out of the booth. "Stalking is a strong word,

the mud. Besides, you know you're curious too. What is she like? Maybe she'll be out practicing her wolf form under the full moon

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 the thought of seeing her again, even from afar, sent

on my shoulder, his earlier amusement replaced by a look of genuine concern. "No matter what, Alex," he said, his voice low and serious. "I'll be with you