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.”

replacing some

the worn leather barstool across from her. “One I don’t like to

me intently. “So, this wolf… is it like a separate

as strong emotions and instincts; raw and untamed. It’s the fight or flight response turned up to

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

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

did

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

Her keen observation hadn’t gone unnoticed. “Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and

the wolf you let out?” Her brow

20

Chapter 23

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“There’s constant training involved, learning to manage the wolf’s urges and channel its strength without succumbing to

you have, like,

exactly. There are packs, communities of werewolves, and they have ways to train and control their woll

repeated, leaning forward in her chair.

complex one, with its own set of rules and

like that? And what about the whole

mock surrender.

We have

violence is a last resort. Mostly, we

She muttered, shaking her head. “This

lot to process. But trust me, I wouldn’t have told you any of this if I didn’t think I could trust you. You soom… different. Stronger

flushed a faint pink,

you have a good heart. And that’s something I value more than

for a long moment, her gaze searching. Then, a small, hesitant smile touched her lips, “Alright,

just poured one for someone else, but I just got a job and my best friend is coming and you can join us if you want to celebrate with

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

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

door, she called out, “Hey, Sarah! Can I take a ten–minute break?

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

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