Bonds

Chapter Three

~Maya’s POV~

The entire air was sucked out of the room or maybe it was because I forgot how to breathe. Memories, buried deep, surged back with an unbearable intensity.

I couldn’t ignore the betrayal, the pain he’d inflicted when he coldly cast me aside. “I reject you, Amaya Stone,” his words echoed relentlessly in my mind, each syllable a stab to my wounded soul. And yet, despite the hurt, a part of me couldn’t help but acknowledge the lingering connection, the remnants of the love we once shared.

My mouth opened to say something— say anything. Luckily my father beat me to it when his growl reverberated in my ear, “What is he doing here?”

Ivan looked between Alex and my father while I watched the man who had ripped out my heart without a second thought walk towards Ivan’s sister, whisper something in her ear before they made their way to the far end of the dining hall.

My wolf howled, urging me to make a move but I couldn’t.

“I didn’t realize Miranda would bring him,” Ivan glanced at his sister who was chatting away happily as members of their pack congratulated her, his eyes narrowed, “And I did not realize their relationship had gone this far.”

“You don’t like him?”

There was no need to look at my father. I heard the smile in his voice when he asked the question.

“I have no feelings towards him. Alex Thorne is not a man I would trust but my sister has never been one to listen to me. I cannot tell her who she should or shouldn’t be with.”

The easy smile returned to his face, “Let’s not let one bad egg ruin our evening, shall we proceed?”

The dinner went on and I was slowly dying. Everytime my eyes turned in their direction, my heart broke even more.

to smile at me just

could he not feel the pain seeping from me? I hated how much it still hurt

Miranda hadn’t brought him to our side of the table for a formal congratulations but I went on with my

of Ivan trying to make small talk but I could

father growled beside me suddenly, “Stop looking at him like a lost puppy. I don’t

my plate, refusing to let them eyes

eating, don’t you like the

that.. I .. The food is lovely.. I

out!” The sudden sharp command

to his feet glaring at Alex, a silent

suddenly became aware of other people around him

eyes left my father, scanning the room like he was

without a doubt that he felt it too– mirrored

rose, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension, “Mr stone I think—“ but my father’s voice cut through like

out. I will not sit here anymore and eat

that long before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that finally ignited, the reason

his food. Miranda sat still, waiting

give you one more chance to leave, Thorne or

one had spoken to him, Alex continued with his

rose, my father commanded, “Take

pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his food

in an instant, he twisted it so fast

let out an angry growl, “You will pay for that, you bastard,” he

the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising to his feet,

my

had been my once-loving mate. This

urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your men

your sister get involved