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 stop

features despite my best efforts. “Here

voice dripping with sarcasm.

what your problem is, Miranda,” I said, my voice tight. “But something definitely is wrong with you. You asked me to come here, Why were you even herd in the first place?

defensively. “Following her? Don’t be ridiculous, had no idea the would be here. It’s a small city and I came here to

friends,” I remarked drily. All I wanted was to get away

I

“The point is, I wasn’t following anyone. Unlike

what?” I challenged,

both know you have a thing for Amaya still. No matter how much you

simmer beneath the surface. “I don’t have a thing for her. I told you

“oh,

glowing when you saw her. Still hopelessly in love

your heart.”

“And you have no idea what happened between

hung up on her. And no matter what you do, she’s never going to take you back. She’s with my brother now.

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

slightly. “Two lost souls, pining after what we can’t have. Maybe that’s why we work so well together. We understand each

to take a step back. But before I

away, but

voice husky. “Just stay with me for a while. Forget about Amaya. Forget about everything else. Just us, here and

for a moment, I faltered. The loneliness that had been gnawing at me for so long threatened to consume

growled, pushing her away. She stumbled back, a look of shock and hurt on her face. “You haven’t f**d me since she came back into the picture. I know you, Alex. I know your wolf wants it. You have been starved for so long and I know you aren’t f**g anyone

flat, “No, I

cold anger that mirrored my own. “Fine,” she spat. “Then what do you want? She’s gone.

deliberate jab at my deepest insecurities. I felt a surge of anger rise within me, hot and

flinched at my outburst, but then squared her shoulders, defiance flickering in her eyes. “What will you do if I don’t?” she challenged,

seemed to fade away. The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface for the entire night boiled over. My vision narrowed, focusing solely on

to overpower, to silence. Before I could even process what

speed that surprised even 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 quickly overshadowed by the burning

in my chest. My voice wasn’t mine anymore, it was deeper, rougher, laced

urge to dominate warring with a sliver of reason clinging to the edges of my mind. Her scent, a mix of perfume

urge shifted. The row hunger inorphed into something