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

any idea

watch. But there was no

appointment to see a detainee and you

disrespect from this underling was infuriating. “Look, kid,” I growled, leaning forward, my voice a low, dangerous rumble. “I suggest you rethink your next words. I am Alex Thorne, and I will see Amaya Stone.

Fri, 21

Chapter 33

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 surprised

he said, his voice still laced with a hint of nervousness, “Even for you, there are procedures to follow. Without

air crackled with unspoken tension. We were locked in a silent battle of wills, the young officer clinging to the flimsy shield of protocol while my wolf strained against my control, eager to rip through any obstacle that

the rhythmic hum of the fluorescent lights. Finally, with a deep, controlled breath, I forced my anger down. There was no point in creating a

conceded through gritted teeth. “Get me

scurried to his computer. “It might take a few hours, sir,” he

in to

H

billionaire. But the raw power simmering beneath the surface of my words must have gotten through to him. Without another word, he hung up

“Follow me, Mr. Thorne.”

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, locked

betrayal. The memory of her betrayal sent a fresh wave of anger coursing through me, a frown etching itself onto my

was used to seeing, replaced 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 well

she broke it with a sigh laced with exhaustion. “Why can’t you

was, I didn’t have an

you going to sit?” I asked instead, my

sardonic laugh escaped her lips. “And you’re suddenly

commanded, my voice radiating my power.

alpha

the look she shot me was enough to singe my eyebrows. She took a seat across from me,

11:34 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 33