Bonds

Chapter 44

-Alex’s POV-

I slumped back in my chair, the weight of the morning’s news settling heavily on my shoulders. Miranda, with her usual brand of twisted amusement, had informed me of the merger between Amaya’s and Ivan’s packs. Individually, each pack hold considerable power, but combined, they were a force to be reckoned with. A grudging part of me acknowledged the strategic brilliance of the move, but the thought of their combined strength sent a jolt of irritation through me.

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What bothered me most was how smoothly things seemed to be progressing between them. My wolf growled in frustration, a primal echo of the anger simmering beneath the surface.

‘She doesn’t matter anymore, I repeated to myself, a mantra I’d been chanting for weeks now. Amaya had hurt me, betrayed me, and I wouldn’t allow myself to be consumed by these lingering feelings.

Just then, the soft tap–tap–tap of heels on the hardwood floor broke through my reverie. “Sir?” My head snapped up to meet the concerned gaze of Ruth, my ever–patient personal assistant.

“What?” I barked, the harshness of my tone surprising even me. Truth be told, I’d been on edge all morning, and Amaya’s name hanging in the air hadn’t helped matters.

Why did she have to come back and disrupt everything?

Ruth flinched slightly. She was a master at navigating my moods, but even her calm demeanor seemed to falter under my glare. “I was just reminding you about your appointment at two o’clock, sir,” she said softly.

Appointment? My brow furrowed in irritation. What appointment could possibly be important enough to tear me away turmoil brewing within me?

“Appointment with who?” I asked, forcing myself to sound somewhat professional.

“The interior designer, sir,” She replied.

from the

The reminder sent another wave of annoyance crashing through me. The whole redesign project felt trivial compared to the sanity struggle brewing in my head.

Couldn’t it wait?

grumbled, the words tumbling out before I

check, sir,” she said carefully. “But the interior

words were like a match to a tinderbox. “Wouldn’t be available?‘ The implication that the designer, whoever she was, had the audacity to dictate my

ran a hand through my hair. “Fine,” I muttered, the anger still

Chapter 44

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faint smile, a small victory in the face of my obvious frustration. “Of course, sir,” she said, her voice regaining its usual calm efficiency. “Is there

head, unable to muster the energy for any further conversation. The weight of the day, the simmering anger, and the

with a wave of my hand.

my eyes, the silence amplifying the storm raging within me. Dealing with the interior designer could wait. Right now, I

and forced cheer. Just as I was about to call it a day and drown

him. With a deep breath, I answered the call. “Christian,” I growled, the remnants

tone cool and detached. “Just giving you a

My gut clenched, a premonition of bad news

amusement creeping into his voice. “He’s

me like a physical blow. I shot up from my chair, knocking it over in the process. “What? How is he

Seems his lawyers managed to find some technicality, some loophole in the charges. He’s walking

grating in my ear. “This can’t be happening,” I snarled. “I thought… I thought we had him locked up for

devoid of sympathy. “Look, I just wanted to let you know. Not exactly breaking news, but figured you should hear

damn breadcrumbs, Christian,” I roared, my frustration boiling over. “I’m

tense silence followed, heavy with unspoken tension. Finally, Christian spoke, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. “Neither am 1, Alex. I just called to deliver a message, not

and clear,” I spat back, my anger

near destroyed everything I built!” I bellowed, every word laced, “I pay you good

was a thorn at your side. I had him removed for you. He was investigated, his company fell and he went to jail. All of that, I did,” He ground out, “The courts made their decision. There’s

something you can do, Christian,” I shot back, fueled by a potent

Fri, 21

Chapter 44