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

how much it still hurt after

of the table for a formal congratulations

of Ivan trying

like a lost puppy. I don’t want Ivan finding out about your ties to that

my plate, refusing to let them eyes wander back to the distant corner when Ivan caught my

are hardly eating, don’t you

The food

sharp command echoed

Alex, a silent fury radiating

as if he suddenly became aware of other people around him

eyes left my father, scanning the room like he was searching for something until they landed

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

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

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

hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that finally ignited, the reason for the rivalry between both packs still

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

you one more chance to leave, Thorne or you will

spoken to him, Alex continued with his

rose, my father commanded, “Take

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

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

pay for that, you bastard,”

evading the strike while gracefully maneuvering away from the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising to his

him out,” my father growled, signaling

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,

please call off your men before this escalates and they end up dead. I do not want bloodshed in my

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