Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter Izo

-Maya's POV-

My head felt like a hollow shell, devoid of any thoughts or memories. The very concept of death, something I'd always pushed to the back of my mind, was now a terrifying reality I couldn't escape.

Would it be like this?

My soul leaving my body, a helpless observer as my physical form grew cold and lifeless?

The inside of my skull was a vast emptiness, yet a searing pain pulsed through my body, so intense it threatened to consume me whole.

Was this it?

Was this what death felt like?

Had I finally received the answer to a question I hadn't dared to ask myself before?

Then, a noxious stench, sharp and acrid, invaded my senses, snapping me back to a semblance of awareness. It filled the void in my mind, forcing reality back into focus. The hospital. The drive to the airport. The sickening crunch of metal as our car collided with another. The concrete wall looming impossibly close... and then, darkness.

My eyes flew open, a scream tearing from my throat. "Ivy! Nate!

Panic surged through me as I tried to sit up, but my body wouldn't obey. I was strapped tightly to a rickety wooden chair, my arms and legs secured with rough rope that bit into my skin. Fear, cold and primal, clawed at my throat.

Where was I?

What was happening?

I renewed my struggles, desperate to break free. But with each strained movement, a wave of weakness washed over me. My breath hitched in my throat, and I screamed again, my voice hoarse and raw. "Ivy! Nate! Someone please! Who's there? Where are my children? Let me go!"

My surroundings slowly came into focus, the source of the putrid smell becoming horrifyingly clear. I was in a cramped, dimly lit room, the air thick with the stench of sewage and decay. Rough, damp stone formed the walls, and the floor was slick with a layer of grime. A single, flickering bulb cast an eerie orange glow, illuminating the scene like a forgotten nightmare.

Exposed pipes snaked along the

others bearing the weight of

for answers. Where was I? Who had taken me? Most importantly, where were the twins? The thought of them

attempt to connect with my wolf to get out of here, I reached out with my mind. But the familiar presence was numb. She was there,

my voice echoing off the stone walls, a pathetic sound swallowed by the oppressive silence

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Chapter 128

dripping water

me jump. "Will you please

+5

sound, and in the flickering light and I saw Adrian standing in

go right now! Where are my children? I swear on the Moon Goddess, if you've laid

threats with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Stop the shouting.

Whatever twisted game this is to get back

good old Alex finally gets a mention. How's my dear old friend doing these days? Public enemy

flickered to life in my mind. "It was you! You sent the footage! You

else. Seems you lean more towards the 'stupid' side than the 'smart' one." Ignoring his jab, I pressed on, my voice trembling

blackmail. Alex is the

raced, desperately searching for an

"I can't believe you still love him. After everything he did to you, to us. You're nothing but a fool." "Shut up and let me go! If you have some sick revenge plot with Alex, take it up with

a theatrical flourish, "Besides I always give credit where credit is due." "What the hell are you talking about?"

wasn't a friendly smile, it was a smile filled with a chilling amusement, a promise of something dark and twisted. He held my gaze for a moment,

I was in prison," he began, his voice low and almost conversational, "those damn guards forced us to read. Hated it at first, of course. But then, I came across this story, this fascinating creature called a mind flayer. What a concept, right? A single powerful being, using its psionic abilities to control everything around it.

eyes gleaming with a manic light. I stared back at him, a cold dread creeping into my gut. What was he talking

I screamed again, my