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.”

she pressed, curiosity replacing some of

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

intently. “So, this wolf… is it like

like… a primal part of me. Think of it as strong emotions and instincts; raw and untamed. It’s

and apprehension. “So, when you, uh, shifted a bit

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

did control

out. “You fought them off and then… she hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper, “your

up my cheeks. Her keen observation hadn’t gone unnoticed. “Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our eyes change

much of the wolf you

Thu, 20 Jun

Chapter 23

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cautiously. “There’s constant training involved, learning to manage the wolf’s urges and channel its strength

eyes widened. “Do you have, like, a secret werewolf

smile tugged at my lips. “Not exactly. There are packs, communities of werewolves, and they have ways to train

leaning forward in her chair. “So, there

voice. “But the werewolf world is a complex one, with its own

“But… how can I just forget something like that? And what about

mock surrender. “Hold on a

We

Mostly,

lives,” She muttered, shaking her head. “This is all so

I wouldn’t have told you

faint pink, “Stronger

I chuckled. “But you have a good heart. And

long moment, her gaze searching. Then, a small, hesitant smile touched her lips, “Alright, Mays. I’ll try my best to keep your secret. But you

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

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

sound echoing warmly in the dimly lit backroom.

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

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

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