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 just like

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

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

haze, I was aware of Ivan trying to make

“Stop looking at him like a lost puppy. I don’t want Ivan finding

refusing to let

don’t you

I .. The food is lovely..

sudden sharp command echoed through the

feet glaring at Alex, a silent fury radiating from him. The

as if he suddenly became aware of other people around him then it

like he was searching

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 demeanor shifted. His eyes, once soft with a hint of recognition,

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

him out. I will not sit here anymore and

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

back to his food. Miranda

to leave, Thorne or

spoken to him,

the tension rose, my father commanded, “Take him

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

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

you bastard,”

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

him out,” my father growled, signaling an

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 different entity.

my father, his voice strained with urgency. “Mr. Stone, please call off your men before this

your