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.

at

wolf? How could he not feel the pain seeping from me? I hated how much it still hurt after all these years because the

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

aware of Ivan trying to make small talk but

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

on my plate, refusing to let

don’t you like

.. The food is

sharp command echoed through the

my father who had risen to his feet glaring at Alex, a silent fury radiating from him. The room had fallen into silence, everyone anticipating what would

from Alex’s face as if he suddenly became aware of other people around him

my father, scanning the room like he was searching for

him. I knew without a doubt that he felt it too– mirrored my feelings but just as swiftly as the connection sparked to life,

to diffuse the escalating tension, “Mr stone I think—“ but my father’s

here anymore and eat in

had to give it to my father for holding out that long before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his family

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

to

to him, Alex continued with

rose, my father commanded,

of my pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his food ignoring the escalating

men laid a hand on Alex’s shoulder, and in an instant, he twisted it so fast that

angry growl, “You will pay for that, you bastard,” he swung his

maneuvering away from the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising to his feet, Alex spoke calmly, almost

out,” my father growled, signaling an impending

been just a man – one who made billions and had been my once-loving mate. This version of him was an entirely different entity. His movements held a captivating elegance, a grace

urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this escalates and they end up dead. I do not want

you shouldn’t have let your sister get involved