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.

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

and the chaos, a laugh

acknowledging the unspoken responsibility even though they hadn’t come looking for me. “I guess I will

talk about completing

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

kiss. His hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer

felt the kiss everywhere– from the strand of my hair to

a small voice

didn’t want 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

doubt dropped panties everywhere he went, he turned around, leaving me standing there smiling like a

better to do with your legs?” my father’s

his unmistakable death glare. “I

into space like an idiot,” he remarked, his tone

Am I not allowed to take a moment to collect my

eyes narrowed even more, a silent warning. “Are you talking back

wasn’t…

have time to waste, child. Where is

damage control after he came to find me when the bomb went off.” I emphasized the last part,

and I want to leave, and if you choose to stop standing around like an idiot, I would like

to provoke him further.

the once festive venue, my mind buzzed with a mixture of emotions and questions. The shock of the explosion still echoed in my ears, making it hard to focus

mother’s voice called out as we approached her. She looked frazzled but unharmed.

replied, “What happened? Why would

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

was only

I

can discuss that later. Right now, we need

led us outside, away from the chaos, where emergency personnel

we reached the parking area, my father directed us towards the car. “Amaya, we’ll need

had I even

what I knew would be a lecture. “Yes,

uncomfortably silent. My mind raced with thoughts of the interrupted wedding, the mysterious explosion, and Ivan’s seemingly calculated exit. I stole

us into the living room. “Sit down. We need to address

with my mother. The

I do, Father?” I

hurt? Did Ivan ensure your safety or did he run like a coward? I need to know the type of man he is

Daniel Stone was only thinking