Bonds

Chapter 41

-Maya’s POV-

My foot tapped against the wooden floor, a nervous counterpoint to the tense silence gripping the room. The power struggle that had simmered ever since my father’s imprisonment had finally erupted, reaching its boiling point after two humans ended up dead. The wolves of the Crescent Pack, my pack, were spiraling out of control. As my father’s only child, the mantle of leadership now rested uneasily on my shoulders.

My gaze swept over the gathered crowd. Modernity had forced us to abandon the communal living arrangements of old. But during times of crisis like this, we still assembled in a secluded building deep within the woods, away from the prying eyes of the human world.

Ivan sat beside me, a silent pillar of support. I knew every eye in the room was fixed on me, waiting for me to speak. The high- ranking members, some of whom harbored their own ambitions for the Alpha position, were seated on a raised platform surrounding me. Public speaking had never been my weakness, but in this charged atmosphere, words seemed to desert me.

Suddenly, a warm hand settled on my leg, a silent reassurance from Ivan. Squeezing his hand back, I drew in a deep breath and rose to my feet. Clearing my throat, I began, “First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for coming here today. I know we all have busy lives, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to be here.”

A beat of awkward silence followed, then I continued, my voice gaining strength with each word. “Let’s not pretend otherwise. My father is currently incarcerated, facing investigations that render him unfit to lead the pack. That’s why I’ve decided to step in and take charge until his situation is resolved.”

Before I could elaborate, a gruff voice cut through the room. “Step in?” boomed a burly man from the gathered wolves. “What you the right? Last we heard, you threw away your position when you ran off with that bastard.”

gives

My jaw clenched, and my wolf lunged to the surface to make him pay for the insult. But I forced myself to remain calm. “I faced the consequences of my actions,” I replied, my voice laced with steel. “My father forgave me and welcomed me back into the fold. Don’t sit there and question it. And the next time you interrupt me while I’m speaking, you will face consequences of your own.”

A flicker of fear crossed the man’s eyes, and he bowed his head in a grudging submission. It wasn’t a complete victory, but it was a start. At least I’d established my boundaries.

“Does anyone else have anything to say before I address the situation with the humans?” I asked, scanning the room.

A throat cleared beside me. Of course, it was him.

was never officially named second-in-command. And he never missed an opportunity to

churning in my gut.

seat, his eyes gleaming with a dark challenge. “Just a clarification, Alpha,”

did. I wouldn’t be surprised if Petrov had been

authority.

dripping with skepticism. “Or simply

you abandoned your pack to run off with the Nightshadow Pack, your father disowned you. As far as anyone knows, he never officially reinstated

crowd. His words stung, but I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of

a public ceremony,” I explained, my voice calm but firm. “It was a private matter between my father and me. And trust me,

lying but there was no way I was letting this a s

of me.

arose, this time tinged with uncertainty. “Look,” I said, my voice rising above the din. “I understand your concerns. My actions in the past were reckless, and I accept full responsibility for them. But I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I’m here now, ready to serve the pack. We can’t afford to be divided. Those humans who died – that was a tragedy, a direct result of the

nodded in agreement, but a skeptical frown remained etched on Petrov’s face. He rose from his

“That’s easy to say, but where were you when this pack truly needed you? The past seven years, while your father and I toiled day and night to hold things together, you were off playing house with the Alpha of the a pack that has rivaled outs for years. Did you even spare

by leaving. I opened my mouth to speak, but Petrov cut me off before I could get a

with a mocking emphasis. “Blinded by love, you abandoned your pack, your duties, everything. Now, suddenly, you reappear and expect to waltz in and take charge? It doesn’t work that

meet Petrov’s gaze, refusing

here, through thick and thin. Someone who understands the struggles we’ve faced, not someone who waltzed in after years of gallivanting

connecting with various pack members. Heads were nodding in agreement, whispers. erupting amongst the crowd. The

understand your frustration, Petrov,” I said, trying to regain some control. “But the past is the past. I’m here

is staying by your pack’s side, not abandoning them for some romance with a rival Alpha. Commitment

fleeting

wouldn’t help. I needed to find a way to reason with him,

Chapter 41