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

I admitted, sinking deeper into the worn leather

this wolf… is it like a

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

tinged with a mix of awe and apprehension. “So, when

of simmering beneath the surface. That night with the bikers, though… everything happened so

did

then… she hesitated, her

gone unnoticed. “Yeah, about that. Werewolves have heightened senses, and our eyes change when we

how much of the wolf you let out?” Her

Thu, 20 Jun

Chapter 23

83%。

to manage the wolf’s urges and channel its strength without succumbing to its magn. It’s a

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

communities of werewolves, and

in her chair.

creeping into my voice. “But the werewolf world is a complex one, with its own set of rules and secrets. Which is why

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

surrender. “Hold on a second. Werewolves aren’t monsters

We

with humans, but violence is a last resort. Mostly,

her head. “This is all so much

smile. “It’s a 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

flushed a faint

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

stared at me for a long moment, her gaze searching. Then, a small, hesitant smile touched her lips, “Alright, Mays. I’ll try my best to

drink? I know you work at a bar and now it sounds really dumb after you just poured one for someone else, but I just got a job and

you won’t turn into a giant wolf and devour the entire bottle in one gulp,” she

hearty laugh, the 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

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

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255