Bonds

Chapter Five

~Maya’s POV~

The voices floated all around me as I stirred back into consciousness. Every bone in my body hurt and I sensed my wolf stirring within, an instinctive response to the chaos around, ready to defend. Swiftly, I pushed her back knowing I needed my human side taking charge in this moment of disarray.

Gentle hands reached out, pulling me from the cloud of confusion. Struggling to stand, I grappled with pain coursing through every bone. Through the fog in my mind, I met Ivan’s concerned gaze.

“Are you okay?” His voice echoed through the haze.

Battling dizziness, I nodded, allowing him to guide me to a nearby chair. “What happened?” I managed to utter.

“An explosion,” Ivan explained, “Someone planted a bomb to stop the wedding.”

“Who would want to stop the wedding?”

My wolf stirred, giving a possible answer to the question but I refused to believe that Alex had anything to do with it.

I had seen it— the look on his face. There was nothing but hate. Alex wouldn’t be interested in stopping me from getting married unless it wasn’t to stop the wedding and this was him showing that he meant the statement against my father,

“Maya, did you just hear me?”

“I’m sorry.. I was just.. Why would someone plant a bomb?”

“That’s not important right now. I think we need to get you to a hospital.”

“No. I’m fine,” Realization dawned on me, glancing around, “My father, my parents, where are they?”

“I saw Daniel and your mother after the explosion,” Ivan reassured me, “He was trying to get her away from harm’s way. They are okay.”

A bitter taste lingered in the air, the realization hitting me hard.

Of course, he didn’t come looking for me.

“I didn’t finish saying my vows. We aren’t married yet,” I uttered, still trying to process everything happening.

had known it would take an explosion to get you to admit you want to marry me, then

wreckage and the chaos, a laugh bubbled up

probably go find my parents,” I murmured, acknowledging the unspoken responsibility even though they hadn’t come looking for me. “I guess

about completing the

leave but before I could take another step, he pulled me back, a sudden and unexpected force. Without giving

hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer

of my hair to

doesn’t kiss like Alex, a small voice whispered,

to leave this hall without knowing what those beautiful lips taste like.” A blush rose to my cheeks as he bent down, his lips brushing against my ear, “You taste even better

I knew without a doubt dropped panties everywhere he went, he turned around, leaving me standing there smiling like a

standing there like you have nothing better to do with your legs?” my father’s voice

with his unmistakable death glare. “I was just

standing there, staring into space like an idiot,” he remarked, his tone as stern

attempting to defend myself, “Father, there was an explosion. Am I not allowed to

narrowed even more, a silent warning. “Are

I wasn’t…

not have time to waste,

probably to do some damage control after he came to find me when the bomb went off.” I emphasized the last part, hoping to make my point, but of

around like an idiot, I would like to get moving,” he declared, his impatience

nodded, not daring to provoke him further. “Yes,

of the once festive venue, my mind buzzed with a mixture of emotions and questions.

her. She looked frazzled but unharmed. Relief somewhat washed over me. “Are

Mom,” I replied, “What happened? Why

at her wondering. My mother and I had always had an awkward relationship. She was just

there was only loss and emptiness. Never a look that depicted

father, I knew she

like a forced moment, his tone clipped, “We can discuss that later.

away from the chaos,

directed us towards the car.

had

clenched my jaw, bracing myself for what I knew would be a lecture.

silent. My mind raced with thoughts of the interrupted wedding, the mysterious explosion, and Ivan’s seemingly calculated exit. I stole glances at my mother, who appeared lost in

home, my father ushered us into the living room. “Sit down.

seat, exchanging a glance with my mother. The air in the room

did I do, Father?” I

hair. “Firstly, are you hurt? Did Ivan ensure your safety or did he run like a coward? I need to know the type of

only thinking