Bonds

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

-Maya’s POV-

The familiar scent of stale beef and leather greeted me as I pushed open the door of The Rusty Compass. My eyes scanned the bar, immediately landing on Riley. She was hunched over, concentrating on pouring a drink, her hair cascading down her back like a fiery waterfall.

As she straightened, our eyes met. A jolt passed through her, and she flinched, taking a step back. “Hi,” I greeted, my voice softer than usual.

Her response was a shaky, “Hey.” Even from a distance, I could see the dark circles under her eyes, a stark contrast to the vibrancy I remembered.

Concern tugged at me. “Ar

me. “Are you okay? Can you

take a break so we can talk in the back?”

She hesitated, her gaze flickering around the room, before nodding slowly. She excused herself to a nearby coworker, who readily agreed to cover her duties.

As soon as the swinging door closed behind us, shutting out the bar’s low murmur, I blurted out, “You look exhausted. Haven’t been sleeping?”

She sighed, rubbing the circles beneath her eyes. “Yeah, not really. These past two days… I don’t even know who to trust anymore. I mean, anyone could be like you, right? And all it takes is one bad mood for them to rip me to shreds.

”

“Riley, interjected gently, placing a hand on her arm to stop her from spiraling. “Werewolves aren’t bad people. And I’m so sorry I’m putting you through this but no one is going to hurt you.”

Her eyes, wide and searching, locked onto mine. “How do you even ex st?” she whisper yelled, “Were you bitten by one? Do you, like, transform every full

moont

I chuckled, the sound offering a welcome break from the tension, “No, not at all, I was born this way. Being a werewolf is part of me, it’s in my blood. And actually, werewolves can shift wheneverthey want, not just at full moons.”

A shadow crossed my face. “Although, I haven’t let my wolf out much lately.”

not?” she pressed, curiosity replacing some

a long story,” I admitted, sinking deeper into the worn leather barstool across

is

primal part of me. Think of it as strong emotions and instincts; raw and untamed. It’s the fight or flight response turned

she breathed, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and apprehension. “So, when you, uh, shifted a bit the

of simmering beneath the surface. That night with the bikers, though… everything happened so fast. My wolf sensed danger and

did control

hesitated,

“Yeah, about that. Werewolves have

the wolf you let out?” Her

20

Chapter 23

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a certain extent,” I replied cautiously. “There’s constant training involved, learning to manage the wolf’s urges and channel its strength without

you have, like,

There are packs, communities of werewolves, and they have ways to train and control their woll natures. It’s more of

repeated, leaning forward in her chair. “So, there

think,” I admitted, a hint of unease creeping into my voice. “But the werewolf world is a complex one, with its own set of rules and secrets. Which is why it’s important that you keep

forget something like that? And what about the whole monster thing? Don’t werewolves eat

Theld up my hands in mock surrender. “Hold on a second. Werewolves

people. We

humans, but violence is a last resort. Mostly, we just

her head. “This is

process. But trust me, I wouldn’t have told you any of this if I didn’t think I could trust you. You

a faint pink, “Stronger

exactly,” I chuckled. “But you have a good heart. And

smile touched her lips, “Alright, Mays. I’ll

you just poured one for someone else, but I just got

promise me you won’t turn into a giant wolf

sound echoing warmly in the dimly lit backroom. “No promises,” I

swinging door, she called out, “Hey, Sarah! Can I take a ten–minute break? I just need to chat with a friend for

from behind the bar. “Sure thing. Take all the time you

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