Bonds

Chapter 12

-Maya’s POV-

My silence hung heavy in the air, thicker than the city mist clinging to the car windows. Ivan finally broke it, his voice laced with an apology I wasn’t ready to accept. “You are upset with me,” he stated, the obviousness grating on my already raw nerves.

I swivelled towards him, my glare hot enough to melt the ice currently residing in my veins growing every second from the encounter with Alex.

“My relationship with Miranda… it’s complicated,” he offered, his voice trailing off like an unfinished sentence. But complications meant nothing to me in that moment. My hurt, a gaping wound, demanded clarity, not excuses.

“Does this complication make you SCARED of her?” I spat, each word laced with venom. “Because you just puppet on her strings. I don’t even know her, so what is her problem with me?!”

sat there and let her make jabs at me, like a

My voice escalated, mirroring the turmoil within. The frustration of the encounter with Miranda, the sting of Alex’s reappearance, all converged into a torrent aimed at Ivan. He flinched at the force of my outburst, but it did little to get rid of the firestorm.

He sighed, a weary sound that spoke volumes. “It’s not you,” he began, attempting to soothe the tempest. “Miranda is like that with everyone. She thrives on feeling superior, tearing down those around her to build herself up. I’m sorry she ruined our dinner.

But his apology rang hollow. “She didn’t ruin the dinner, Ivan,” I snarled, my wolf straining at the leash, baring her fangs at the perceived weakness. “You

did.”

The accusation hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the soft hum of the engine. His eyes widened, surprise battling with hurt. But it was the hurt that stung, a flicker of vulnerability exposing the truth beneath his carefully constructed facade,

My wolf whined, urging me forward, demanding answers. Yet, a sliver of reason held me back.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm the storm within. The questions wouldn’t disappear, but the accusations wouldn’t get us anywhere. I needed a different approach.

less determined. “Why did you let her treat me like that? Why the silence when I needed you? We are going to be married and you said you didn’t want it to be on my father’s terms but I need to know

But this time, it wasn’t suffocating. It was filled with anticipation, a shared space

had…. Because you think I am so weak

deepening. “That is not true. I don’t think you are

at the leash, her claws scraping against the metaphorical cage of my control. “Because right now,

complicated one, filled with….baggage not

seconds.”

laced with a flicker of curiosity. “What kind of baggage?” I pressed, needing to understand the invisible strings

the passing cityscape, a million unsaid words battling for release. Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with

Chapter 12

striking a chord of empathy. “How old were

Seven.”

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seconds, “I am really sorry, I cannot imagine what that coud have been like or for her.

with regret. “And I apologize. Truly. But Miranda… she’s fragile, and right now, especially vulnerable. After they died, it was the two of us against the world and then

trophy or maybe you are the trophy,” I scoffed, the hurt bubbling to the

his hand reaching out to grip mine, but I instinctively pulled away. “it’s not like that. You… you represent something new, something good in my life. And Miranda… she doesn’t like change. She fears losing the only constant she has left. It has always been like that. She can date but I can’t. Now that I am marrying, she made it clear that she

painting a picture of a fractured relationship, of loyalty twisted by loss and fear, My anger softened, replaced by a sliver

Ivan,” I said, my voice gentler now. “You have to stand up for

his eyes searching mine. “I will,” he vowed, his voice firming with resolve. “But it won’t be easy. Miranda…she can

ruthless together,” I challenged, a spark igniting in my chest. “We face this,

else’s drama.”

flicker of hope lighting up his features. “As equals,” he echoed, squeezing my

determined face. His hand lingered in mine, the silent agreement warming my skin. Suddenly, he brought the car to a halt, the tires

thrill, unexpected and exhilarating, fluttered in my chest. He didn’t wait for my question, stepping out and pulling me

he stated, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hand.