Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter 164 ~Alex's POV-

The days stretched out like an endless desert. Time, once a steady companion, had become a relentless tormentor. I'd gone from being the king of my world to a prisoner of it. Over these past months, the world had shrunk to the size of this cell. I'd learned that even with power at your fingertips, life could still knock you down.

Ivan had played his cards close to his chest. I'd underestimated him, thinking I'd ended the game when I ended his life. But his plans, carefully laid, were like a time bomb I hadn't defused. Adrian, that backstabbing leech, had seized the opportunity to take over my company. It was a bitter pill to swallow. Hours turned into days, days into weeks. I stopped counting. There was no point. All that mattered were the moments I'd spend with Amaya and the kids. It was a long road to get here. Ivy, my little firecracker, had slowly warmed up to me. I think it was my beard. She'd giggle and tug at it, saying I looked like a beast from her stories. It was the first time she'd touched me without fear. Being called a beast didn't matter in that moment.

Nate was different. Quiet, watchful, like a young hawk. His eyes always seemed to be asking questions without making a sound. But I think he found his answers in just watching.

And Amaya. Every time I saw her, she was like a sunrise, a new kind of beauty. It was hard to believe she was the same woman I'd left behind but she was a master of deception. She'd put on a brave face for the kids, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. I could see the worry gnawing at her, hidden beneath the surface. Every visit ended with the same promise: she was getting closer, she'd get me out. I wished she'd stop. She was burning herself out. With all my resources, I couldn't escape this place, what chance did she have? I'd accepted my fate, but at least I had them to visit.

I'd done a lot of bad things. Maybe this was karma, paying my dues like my father. Thinking about him brought back the day of the battle. For once, he'd acted like a real father. His death hurt, a wound that wouldn't heal. Damon Thorne, the architect of my misery, was dead. I hadn't forgiven him, but maybe one day I would. As a final act of closure, I'd asked for his body to be found and buried next to my mother. Maybe their souls would sync and he would finally apologize for all that he had done, all the misery he put her thought and maybe together, they could find peace.

Amaya had also asked for a proper burial for Miranda. She was a victim, a broken soul caught in the crossfire. That is what she had said and she hoped she'd found peace wherever she was.

All of that?

It all led to this moment. Standing before the judge, I felt a strange sense of peace. A word with only five letters, but it held the weight of the world. I'd lost my freedom, but in the chaos, I'd found myself. I could break out of this prison, my mind had raced with the idea for months. An idea fueled by my wolf who had been relentless to break free. But for the first time in my life, I wanted to do the right thing. I wasn't responsible for the mass murders, but I was responsible for deaths.

Maybe this was my penance.

for me. But I knew the outcome. Guilty. The room would fall silent, and

then he said, "Not

in the air, a fog in my brain. The slam of his gavel brought me back to reality. Not guilty. I was free. I stood frozen, unable to process it. Then, two tiny bodies crashed into me, Ivy and

my children

I was free.

eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and happiness. "You have to walk out that door, Alex," she said softly. I took a deep breath, the reality of the moment sinking in. I wanted to

step, I felt a sense

wanted was to go home with my family. And then I saw them-Christian, Riley, Natalia, Nathan, and Sarah. Sarah and Natalia were cheering, their joy infectious. Riley was trying to calm them down, Nathan looking amused. For the first time in what felt like forever, the loneliness that had haunted me for years was gone. I had my family, these

Christian's smile was the biggest I'd ever seen. "The beard is

the laugh, his eyes filled with genuine relief. "I'm really glad you're out, Alex." His voice was thick

seriousness, "Now, enough mushy stuff. We've

looked down at Amaya who

I let them take the

I stepped into one car while the others followed in the other vehicles.

familiar sight was a stark reminder of the life I'd left behind. When we arrived heads turned as we entered the building. I felt like a ghost,

Or, rather, Adrian's. A sleek, modern woman, presumably his PA, stood in front of the door.

seemed to be someone else entirely. "I believe there's been a misunderstanding," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Step aside." The PA hesitated, her grip tightening on the