Bonds

Chapter 33

-Alex’s POV-

Fury gnawed at my insides, a bitter, acidic knot that twisted with every ragged breath I took. The image of Christian’s smug smile burned behind my eyelids, a reminder of his infuriating game–playing. Adrian getting out was a major headache, that much I knew. But the truth Christian had withheld was a goddamn detonator, set to drive my wolf insane. To drive me insane.

The hit I had him make Daniel’s company take had exposed his money laundering scheme, which was why he was currently being. investigated. That much I knew. What I didn’t know was that Christian had neglected a crucial detail.

In his my haste to make Daniel pay for being a headache, I had inadvertently implicated Amaya. Danirl had forged signatures, laundering money in her name, forging a financial link between her and his company. So if Daniel was going down, so was she.

And that was unacceptable.

The memory of Christian’s infuriating smirk as he turned his back on me after stating without an ounce of remorse that she had been arrested too sent a fresh wave of fury crashing over me.

But still I asked myself. Why couldn’t I just walk away? Forget about the woman who had betrayed me?

But the answer was simple – I couldn’t. I couldn’t let her go no matter how hard I tried. Amaya, for all her flaws, was still innocent in this. She was a pawn, manipulated by her father and now caught in the crossfire of my war with him. The thought of her locked up in some godforsaken jail cell, ignited a primal urge within me.

Муи

wolf snarled. He liked Christian but at this point, I was trying so hard not to give into him, tear through the city and make Christian pay for keeping something as important as this from me. If I had known, I’d have found another to strike Daniel Stone but none that would ever had involved hurting her like this. I slammed my foot on the accelerator, the engine roaring in response as sped towards the police station.

The air crackled with nervous energy as I stormed into the station, the harsh fluorescent lights adding to the sterile atmosphere. My alpha aura pulsed around me, a silent command for respect and immediate attention.

“I’m here to see Amaya Stone,” I declared, my voice hard and laced with an edge of impatience. A silent part reminded me that she would soon take his name but I ignored it.

The young officer behind the counter barely glanced up from his paperwork. “Do you have an appointment, sir? Are you her

deference. lawyer?” His voice was flat, devoid of any

you have any idea who

watch. But there was no recognition, no hint of awe in his eyes. Just

see a detainee and you are not

was infuriating. “Look, kid,” I growled, leaning forward, my voice a low, dangerous rumble. “I suggest you rethink your next words. I

Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 33

a fraction. He clearly sensed the raw power emanating from me, the alpha energy that demanded obedience. But he held his ground, his jaw set in a stubborn defiance that

for you, there are

air crackled with unspoken tension. We were locked in a silent battle of wills, the young officer clinging to the flimsy shield of protocol

the rhythmic hum of the fluorescent lights. Finally, with a deep, controlled breath,

gritted teeth. “Get me an

scurried to his computer. “It might take

to see

H

simmering beneath the surface of my words must have gotten through to him. Without another word, he hung up the phone and grabbed a

“Follow me, Mr. Thorne.”

in tense silence down a sterile white hallway, the silence punctuated only by the rhythmic click of his shoes on the floor. My wolf thrashed inside me, its anxiety mirroring my own. Why was I here? Was it guilt gnawing at the edges of my conscience, guilt for the situation she found herself in, a situation I inadvertently played a part in? Or was it the primal urge of my wolf, unable to bear the thought of our mate, rejected or not,

mate anymore, not after her betrayal. The memory of her betrayal sent a fresh wave of anger coursing through me, a frown etching itself onto my face. Just

by a stoic emptiness. There were no tear tracks, no signs of emotional breakdown. She had always been strong, I knew that much. But this stoicism, this utter lack of emotional display did not sit

with exhaustion. “Why

was, I

to sit?” I asked instead,

“And you’re suddenly capable

take control. “Amaya, sit down,” I commanded, my voice radiating my

alpha

shot me was enough to singe my eyebrows. She

11:34 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 33