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.

smile at

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

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

the haze, I was aware of Ivan trying

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

the wake of my father’s warning, I kept my gaze trained on my plate, refusing

don’t you

I .. The

sudden sharp command echoed through the

to his feet glaring at Alex, a silent fury radiating

he suddenly became aware of other people around him then

room like he

magnetic pull, urging me towards him. I knew without a doubt that he

tension, “Mr stone I think—“ but my father’s voice cut through

want him out. I will not sit here anymore

long before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that finally ignited, the reason for the rivalry between

his attention back to his food.

to leave, Thorne or

spoken to

rose, my father commanded, “Take

I recognized as members of my pack approached Alex, still he

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

that, you

sidestepped the attack, smoothly evading the strike while gracefully maneuvering away from the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising to his feet, Alex

said throw him out,” my father

been my once-loving mate. This version of him was an entirely different entity. His movements held a captivating elegance, a grace that effortlessly evaded their strikes,

call off your

have let your