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.”

pressed, curiosity replacing some of the

deeper into the worn leather barstool across

wolf… is it like

my head. “Not exactly. It’s more like… a primal part of me. Think of it as

of awe and apprehension. “So, when you, uh, shifted a bit the other night, that was

That night

you did control

then… she hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper, “your eyes

observation hadn’t gone unnoticed. “Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our eyes change when we

wolf you let out?” Her brow

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Chapter 23

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

have, like, a secret werewolf gym

small smile tugged at my lips. “Not exactly. There are packs, communities of werewolves, and they have ways to train and control their woll natures. It’s more of a… mentorship

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

one, with its own set of rules and secrets. Which is why it’s important that you keep what you saw

something like that? And what about the whole monster thing? Don’t werewolves eat people?” She looked genuinely

Theld up my hands in mock surrender. “Hold on a second. Werewolves aren’t monsters

We have

violence is a last resort. Mostly, we just try to live our lives

shaking her head. “This is all

told you any of this if I didn’t think I could trust you.

flushed a faint pink, “Stronger

a good heart. And that’s something I value

small, hesitant smile touched her lips, “Alright, Mays. I’ll try my best to keep your secret.

sounds really dumb after you just poured one for someone else, but I just got a job and my

a small laugh. “Sounds good. Just promise me you won’t turn into a

let out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing warmly in the dimly lit backroom. “No promises,” I countered

towards the swinging door, she called out, “Hey, Sarah! Can I take a ten–minute break? I just need

“Sure thing. Take all the time you need. I can handle things here

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