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.

used to smile at me just like

I hated how much it still hurt after all these years because the only thing I ever

came as a surprise that Miranda hadn’t brought him to our side of the table for

was aware of Ivan trying to make small

yourself, Amaya,” my father growled beside me suddenly, “Stop looking at him like a lost

refusing to let them eyes

don’t you like

not that.. I .. The food is lovely.. I

out!” The sudden sharp

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

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

my father, scanning the room like he was

without a doubt that he

I think—“ but

I will not sit here anymore and eat in the same room as

to give it to my father for holding out that long before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that finally

father for a moment longer then focused his attention back to his food. Miranda sat still, waiting for how it would play

chance to leave,

if no one had spoken to him,

tension rose, my

I recognized as members of my pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his food ignoring the

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

“You will pay for that, you bastard,” he

the strike while gracefully maneuvering away from the other’s attempt to grab

my father

This version of him was

call off your men before this escalates and

let your