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

wolf? How could he not feel the pain seeping from me? I hated how much

Miranda hadn’t brought him to our side of the table

trying to

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

on my plate, refusing to let

eating, don’t

The

sudden sharp command echoed

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

Alex’s face as if he suddenly became aware of other

the room like he

of surprise crossed his features as our eyes met across the room, a collision of emotions growing within 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,

“Mr stone I

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

before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his

back to his food. Miranda sat

give you one more chance to leave, Thorne or

if no one had spoken to him, Alex continued with his

the tension rose, my father commanded, “Take

as members of my pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his

instant, he twisted it so fast that a bone snapped. I couldn’t help but

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

strike while gracefully maneuvering away from the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising to his feet, Alex spoke calmly, almost unaffected, “This won’t end well for either of you. Rethink your

said throw him out,” my father

seen Alex 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 entirely different entity. His movements held a captivating elegance, a

me, Ivan attempted to reason with my father, his voice strained with urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this escalates and they end up dead.

you shouldn’t have let your sister get involved with