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 me just

the pain seeping from me? I hated how much it still hurt after all these years because the only thing I ever wanted to feel towards him

hadn’t brought him to our side of the table for a formal congratulations but I

of Ivan trying to make small talk but I

yourself, Amaya,” my father growled beside me suddenly, “Stop looking at him like a lost puppy. I

my plate, refusing to let them eyes wander back to the distant

don’t you like

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

sharp command echoed through

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

smile fell from Alex’s face as if he suddenly became aware of other people around him

father, scanning the room like he

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 sparked to life, his

to diffuse the escalating tension, “Mr stone I think—“ but my father’s

I will not sit here anymore and eat

hatred towards Alex and his family was

moment longer then focused his attention back to his food. Miranda sat still, waiting for how it would play out, we all

will give you one more chance to leave, Thorne or

to him, Alex continued

rose, my father commanded, “Take

of my pack approached Alex, still he continued eating his food ignoring

so fast that a bone snapped.

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

practiced precision, Alex sidestepped the attack, smoothly evading the strike while gracefully maneuvering away from the other’s attempt to grab him. Rising to his feet, Alex spoke calmly, almost unaffected, “This won’t end well for either of you.

throw him out,” my father growled, signaling an

Alex 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

reason 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

have let your sister get involved with