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.

to smile at me

I hated how much it

side of the table

was aware of Ivan trying to make small talk but I

at him like a lost puppy. I

warning, I kept my gaze trained on my plate, refusing to

hardly eating, don’t you like

that.. I .. The food is lovely..

The sudden sharp command echoed through the

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

Alex’s face as if he suddenly became aware of other people

my father, scanning the room like he was

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

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

anymore and eat in the same room as

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

father for a moment longer then focused his attention back to his food.

to leave, Thorne or you will

had spoken to him, Alex

the tension rose, my father commanded, “Take him

Alex, still he continued eating his food ignoring

of the men laid a hand on Alex’s shoulder, and in an instant, he twisted it so fast that a bone snapped. I couldn’t help but gasp, stunned by the sudden display of

the man let out an angry growl, “You will pay for that, you bastard,” he swung his claws

from the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising to his feet, Alex

out,” my

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 evaded their strikes, making it seem like

to reason with my father, his voice strained with urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off

your sister get involved with