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.

smile at me just

much it still hurt after all these years because

came as a surprise that Miranda hadn’t brought him to our side of the table for

the haze, I was aware of Ivan trying to make small talk but I could hardly

like a lost puppy. I don’t want Ivan finding out about your ties

plate, refusing to let them eyes wander back to

eating, don’t you like the

I .. The

sudden sharp

at Alex, a silent fury radiating

smile fell from Alex’s face as if he suddenly became aware of other people

scanning the room like he was searching for something until they

me like a storm. My wolf stirred, responding to the magnetic pull, urging me towards him. I knew without a doubt that he felt it too– mirrored my feelings but just as swiftly as the connection sparked to life, his demeanor shifted. His eyes, once soft with a hint of recognition, hardened before

to diffuse the escalating tension, “Mr stone I

I will not sit here anymore

His hatred towards Alex and his family

then focused his attention back to his food. Miranda sat still, waiting for how it would play out, we all

chance to leave, Thorne or you will regret

spoken to him, Alex continued with his

tension rose, my father commanded, “Take him

of my pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his

it so

the man let out an angry growl, “You will pay for that, you bastard,” he swung his claws towards Alex, his companion attempting

precision, Alex sidestepped the attack, smoothly evading the strike while gracefully maneuvering away from the other’s attempt to grab

said throw him out,” my father growled, signaling an impending

in combat. Until that moment, he had been just a man – one who made billions and had been my once-loving mate. This version of him was an

to reason with my father, his voice strained with urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your men before

have let your