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

he not feel my wolf? How could he not feel the pain seeping from me? I hated how much it still hurt after all these years because the only thing I ever

that Miranda hadn’t brought him to our side of the table for a formal congratulations but I went on with my

the haze, I was aware of Ivan trying to make small

looking at him like a lost puppy. I don’t want

my gaze trained on my plate, refusing to let them eyes wander back

eating, don’t you like

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

The sudden sharp command echoed

silent fury radiating

smile fell from Alex’s face as if he suddenly

he

features as our eyes met across the room, a collision of 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 swiftly as the connection

“Mr stone I think—“ but my father’s

out. I will not sit here anymore and

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

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

one more chance to leave,

no one had spoken to him, Alex continued

the tension rose, my father commanded, “Take

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

and in an instant, he twisted it so fast that a bone snapped. I

growl, “You will pay for that, you bastard,” he swung his claws

from the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising to

throw him out,” my father growled, signaling an

once-loving mate. This version of

with my father, his voice strained with urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this escalates and they end up dead. I do not want bloodshed

your sister