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 me just like

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

our side of the table

Ivan trying to make small

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

I kept my gaze trained on my plate, refusing to let them eyes

hardly eating, don’t you

I .. The food is

out!” The sudden sharp command echoed

Alex, a silent fury radiating from him. The room had fallen into silence, everyone anticipating what would

he suddenly became aware of other people around him

like he was searching for something until

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

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

want him out. I will not sit here anymore and eat in the same room

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

longer then focused his attention back to his food. Miranda

you one more chance to leave, Thorne or

if no one had spoken to him, Alex continued

the tension rose, my father commanded,

members of my pack approached Alex, still he

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

“You will pay for that, you bastard,” he swung his claws towards Alex, his

attempt to grab him. Rising

throw him out,” my father growled, signaling

This version of him was an entirely different entity. His movements held a captivating elegance, a grace that effortlessly evaded their strikes, making it seem

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

you shouldn’t have let your sister get involved with a