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

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 wanted to feel towards

to our side of the table for a formal congratulations but I went on with

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

my father growled beside me suddenly, “Stop looking at him like a lost puppy.

my father’s warning, I kept my gaze trained on my plate, refusing to

don’t you like the

I .. The

out!” The sudden sharp command

had risen to his feet glaring at Alex, a silent fury radiating from him.

if he suddenly

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

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

I think—“ but my father’s voice cut through

not sit here anymore and

that long before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that finally

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

will give you one more chance to leave,

to him, Alex

tension rose, my father commanded,

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

and in an instant, he twisted it so fast that a bone snapped. I couldn’t help but gasp, stunned by the

“You will pay for that, you

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

my father growled, signaling an

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 grace that effortlessly

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

let your sister get involved