Bonds

Chapter 29

-Alex’s POV-

Let out an irritated sigh before moving towards Miranda. Amaya was already gone, whisked away by Natalia who looked like she was about to erupt Eke a volcano, Miranda was still sprawled on the floor, clutching her face and letting out a string of very undignified s o b s. The bartender woman who had been at Amaya’s side, was staring wide-eyed at the scene.

“Please sir,” she squeaked, “You two need to leave. Now.”

I shot her a glare that instantly clamped her mouth shut. She took a nervous step back, her eyes darting between me and the whimpering mess on the floor. Reaching down, I grabbed Miranda’s arm, intending to help her up.

“Don’t touch me!” she shrieked, slapping my hand away with surprising force. The entire bar had fallen silent, everyone’s attention focused on the unfolding drama. The air c**d with tension, thick with the scent of stale beer and the uncomfortable silence that followed Miranda’s outburst. It was starting to grate on my nerves.

“Enough of this,” 1 growled, my voice low and dangerous. “Get up right now. You’re making a scene and starting to irritate me. A lot.”

My words seemed to have the desired effect. Miranda, perhaps sensing the shift in atmosphere, finally stopped her sobbing fit. Sniffling back tears, she scrambled to her feet, grabbing her purse with one hand and wiping at her red-rimmed eyes with the other. Without a word, she stalked towards the exit, her shoulders hunched as if trying to shrink away from the curious stares of the patrons.

I followed close behind, casting a final look around the bar. Every head was still turned, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and morbid curiosity. With a m**l groan, I sent a quick text message to Christian, outlining the situation and asking him to deal with any potential fallout. There would definitely be questions in the morning, and Christian, with his talent for smooth-talking and discreet intimidation, was the best person to handle them.

Stepping out into the cool night air, I closed the door to the bar behind me with a heavy thud. The street was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos I had just left behind. Taking a deep breath, I let out a long sigh, the tension slowly draining from my shoulders. This whole night had been a mess, from the surprise encounter with Amaya to the brawl with Miranda. I just wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and forget the entire evening ever happened.

But she would not let me. As if she suddenly felt my presence, she stopped walking, turning around to face me, “This is all your fault, you know,” she hissed.

I grunted noncommittally, focusing on the flickering streetlight overhead.

She continued, her voice rising with each word, “You just stood there like a statue while that… that she-wolf attacked me!”

“You weren’t exactly playing saint, Miranda,” I finally interjected, my voice flat and devoid of any emotion. It felt easier that way, a shield against the chaos of the night.

“A saint?” she scoffed, throwing her hands up in the air. “She’s the one who lunged at me like a rabid dog! All because of some s**d remark I made. And you just watched!”

“You were provoking her,” I pointed out, my tone even, almost bored. The truth was, the whole fight had happened so fast it was a blur. But I wasn’t about to admit that to her.

“Oh, so now I’m the bad guy?” she shrieked, “You k

know what? Maybe you were happy to see Amaya humiliate me like that. Maybe that’s why you didn’t

to

attention, a flicker of annoyance crossing my features despite my best efforts. “Here

air, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Is that what you call it? Come on, Alex,

is, Miranda,” I said, my voice tight. “But something definitely is wrong with you. You asked me to come here, Why were

her arms crossed defensively. “Following her? Don’t be ridiculous, had no idea the would

any friends,” I remarked drily. All I wanted

I

following anyone. Unlike you, apparently.” Her voice dripped with

me what?” I challenged, narrowing my

you have a thing for Amaya

clenched my jaw, anger starting to simmer beneath the surface. “I don’t have a thing for her. I told you before, she is a thing of the past.” I growled, forcing the

“oh,

were practically glowing when you saw her. Still hopelessly in love

your heart.”

I snapped. “And you have no idea what happened between us so shut

on her. And no matter what you do,

to keep hidden. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating Miranda seemed to take my silence as acceptance, a cruel smile twisting

said, her voice softening slightly. “Two lost souls, pining after what we can’t have. Maybe that’s why we work so

sympathy. My gut clenched, a primal instinct warning me to take a step back. But before I could move, she

away, but she held

while. Forget about Amaya. Forget about everything

pressed against mine, the desperation in her voice… for a moment, I faltered. The loneliness that had been

her face. “You haven’t f**d me since she came back into the picture. I know you, Alex. I know your wolf wants

was flat,

vulnerability replaced by a cold anger that mirrored my own. “Fine,” she spat. “Then what do

rise within me, hot

her shoulders, defiance flickering in her eyes. “What will you do if

anger that had been simmering beneath the surface for the entire night boiled over. My vision narrowed, focusing solely on Miranda’s face, flushed with defiance and a hint of

to silence. Before I could even process what was happening, my body moved on

me, I lunged forward, grabbing her upper arms. Her gasp of surprise was cut short as I pulled her roughly against me The heat of her body sent a jolt through me, but it was

growled, the words a low rumble in my chest. My voice wasn’t mine anymore, it was deeper, rougher, laced

seemed to falter under the intensity of my gaze. For a terrifying moment, I just held her there, the primal urge to dominate warring with a sliver of

urge shifted. The row hunger inorphed into something more… urgent. Without any conscious thought, I leaned down,