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

I hated how much it still hurt after all these years

side of the table for a formal

I was aware of Ivan trying to make small talk but

at him like a lost

my plate, refusing to let them

hardly eating, don’t

that.. I .. The

The sudden sharp command echoed

silent fury radiating from him. The room had fallen into silence, everyone anticipating

suddenly became aware of other people

he was searching

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

rose, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension, “Mr stone I

sit here anymore and eat

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

one more chance to leave, Thorne or you

spoken to

the tension rose, my father

my pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his food

he twisted it so fast that

growl, “You will pay for that, you bastard,” he swung his claws towards Alex, his companion attempting to grab

to grab him. Rising to his feet, Alex spoke calmly, almost unaffected, “This won’t end well for either of you.

him out,” my father growled, signaling an

had been just a man – one who made billions and had been my once-loving mate. This version of him was an entirely

voice strained with urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your

your sister get involved