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

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

our side of the table

was aware of Ivan trying to make small talk

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

my gaze trained on my plate, refusing to let them eyes wander back to the distant corner when Ivan caught

hardly eating, don’t you

not that.. I .. The food is

sharp command echoed

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 happen

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

scanning the room like he was searching for something until they landed on

without a doubt that he felt it too– mirrored my feelings but just as

tension, “Mr stone I think—“ but my father’s voice

will not sit here anymore and

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

for a moment longer then focused his attention back to his food. Miranda sat

you one more chance to leave, Thorne or

spoken to

my father commanded, “Take him

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

the men laid a hand on Alex’s shoulder, and in an instant, he twisted it so fast that a bone snapped. I couldn’t help but gasp, stunned by the sudden display of

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

away from the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising

said throw him out,” my father growled, signaling

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,

father, his voice strained with urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this escalates and they end up dead. I do

shouldn’t have let your