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

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

came as a surprise that Miranda hadn’t brought him to our side of the table for a formal congratulations but I

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

beside me suddenly, “Stop looking at him like a lost puppy. I don’t want

plate, refusing to let them eyes wander back to

hardly eating, don’t you like the

.. The food is lovely.. I

sharp command echoed through

feet glaring at Alex, a silent fury radiating

he suddenly became

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

of surprise crossed his 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

stone I think—“ but my father’s voice

out. I will not sit here anymore

it to my father for holding out that long before snapping. His hatred towards Alex and his family was a longstanding flame that

his attention back to his food. Miranda

will give you one more chance to

one had spoken to him, Alex continued with

my father commanded, “Take

of my pack approached Alex,

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

an angry growl, “You will pay for that, you bastard,” he swung

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

throw him out,” my father growled,

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

my father, his voice strained with urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this escalates and they end up

have let your sister get involved with